Review: AC Hotel Iberia Las Palmas
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Gran Canaria boasts three Marriott hotels: two AC (AC Hotel Iberia Las Palmas and AC Hotel Gran Canaria) and one Design Hotel (Bohemia Suites & Spa, A Member Of Design Hotels).
Good news for reaching the archipelago: Air Canada is launching direct flights to Tenerife, the neighbouring Canary island, from Montreal and Toronto, bookable with Aeroplan points.
AC Hotel Iberia Las Palmas – Booking
This hotel was one of the stops on my remote work trip. So I decided to stay there for six nights. When I booked, there was the “Stay Longer On Us” promotion with a 15% discount : which I took advantage of. Prices varied between 68 and 72 euros during the stay.
Furthermore, my dates fell during the 1,000 bonus points per night promotion, in addition to the extra elite night. If I had decided to use my Marriott Bonvoy points, it would have cost me 84,500.
Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points
The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at over 8,000 hotels worldwide is to have the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card (and/or the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card).
In addition to the exceptional welcome bonus of each of these two cards, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all your purchases and 5 points per dollar at any of the Marriott establishments. On top of that, every year, you’ll receive a free hotel night certificate (worth 35,000 points) and 15 Elite Night Credits toward your Marriott Bonvoy status.
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
AC Hotel Iberia Las Palmas – Location
The location of the AC Hotel Iberia Las Palmas is perfect for those who want to enjoy the old town of Las Palmas. The hotel is less than a 15 minute walk from the old town and its attractions, including the Canary Cathedral, and Casa de Coló.
It’s a five-minute walk from the San Telmo bus station. A direct bus from the airport (number 60) gets you there in 35 minutes. This is also where you can catch any bus to anywhere in the city or on the island. For beach lovers, however, the nearest beach is a 40-minute walk away.
AC Hotel Iberia Las Palmas – Check-In
Once I’d found the hotel – the entrance is located behind a taxi parking lot – I was greeted properly by the staff. After the usual passport and Marriott Bonvoy American Express credit card verifications, I was informed of the hotel’s services, noting that breakfast is not available to members with platinum status or above. I can therefore receive a 10 USD coupon to cover part of the breakfast (17 euros), or receive additional points.
AC Hotel Iberia Las Palmas – Room
I had originally booked the standard room. As soon as the in-app purchase was available, I requested at least a junior suite, as I was going to be working in the room for a part of the day. Which was granted easily without having to negotiate.
I had the junior suite (room 991) for one night only. I arrived at the hotel in the late afternoon. I settled in and went around the room, taking as many photos as I could for this report. I noticed that the leather armchair in the bedroom had been scribbled on with a blue ballpoint pen.
The next morning, I tried to make myself a coffee, but the Nespresso machine wouldn’t work. So I went to reception to tell them about the faulty machine and also to explain about the chair, as I didn’t want to be held responsible.
I was immediately offered a new junior suite (1010) and told that the hotel had been planning renovations since 2022. Given the ever-increasing demand for bookings, the establishment had to postpone the renovations.
As compensation for moving my room, that morning I was offered the breakfast buffet free of charge.
The junior suite features a closed bedroom, lounge and dining area. The bathroom is of normal size and has a large glass-enclosed shower. It features essential body care products, as well as a dryer. Access to the bathroom is via the bedroom.
The room features a very comfortable bed, a beige leather armchair, a bench in the same tones, a round table, a closet with a safe in it, an iron and ironing board, and a TV.
The room offers no wall decoration, not even a small picture frame. There are electrical outlets for plugging in appliances, but no USB sockets (there are none anywhere in the suite).
The lounge section, in brown and beige tones (like all the rooms in the suite), offers a sofa bed, leather sofa, coffee table, two side tables, a dresser that has a mini-fridge/minibar for a fee, a tea tray with a kettle and cups, and a TV.
Note that the TVs simply offer access to TV channels and YouTube (no Netflix or Prime Video).
The kitchen area is equipped with a table, two chairs and a shelf for the Nespresso. At least in the lounge and dining area, there’s a bit of decoration on the walls.
To access the room’s electricity, you must insert your entry card in the space provided. Having two cards is ideal if you’re there on business.
There’s also the mobile key. However, for me, it only worked every other time, so I gave up on that option.
What I didn’t like about this suite was the lack of a desk to work on. I had to use the dining room table. On the other hand, there were no carpets, and it had two large windows overlooking the port of Las Palmas De Gran Canaria. As a result, most of the day the room was filled with natural sunlight.
Complimentary coffee and tea are provided in the room, as well as three to four bottles of water. The staff is really generous : on some days, I found myself with more than six bottles of water and a dozen coffee capsules.
AC Hotel Iberia Las Palmas – Dining
AC Hotel Iberia Las Palmas – Breakfast
There’s a dedicated buffet breakfast area located in an enclosed space in the lobby.
The choice is quite varied, and the staff, who are very friendly and attentive, prepare the eggs as requested. Note that breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. every day and is not offered free of charge, regardless of the customer’s membership status.
AC Hotel Iberia Las Palmas – AC Lounge
This is their restaurant/bar, located in the lobby. It’s pretty classic, with one area featuring leather armchairs for a drink and another corner with a raised table and high chairs for working if need be. And finally, a place where you can sit down to your meal.
From 12:30 onwards, cocktails and other beverages are available, as well as meals. The bar section is open until 11:30pm without interruption.
Their menu is international – from pasta to hamburgers – and they also offer tapas. The food is tasty, and the portions are just right. The prices are reasonable for a hotel restaurant. And once again, the staff are extremely friendly.
However, when it comes to dining, there’s a catch: we’re in Spain, so you can eat here between 12:30 and 4 pm and from 8 pm to 11:30 pm. You have to plan your schedule accordingly : I ate there three times, and I am always impressed – with my North American mentality – to see people ordering a burger at 10:30 pm.
The hotel is located right next to a shopping street, where you’ll find a few typical restaurants if you need them.
AC Hotel Iberia Las Palmas – Services
AC Hotel Iberia Las Palmas – Swimming Pool
The hotel boasts a beautiful, uncrowded rooftop outdoor pool with a breathtaking view of Las Palmas De Gran Canaria. There’s a lifeguard on duty during opening hours and towels are available. The only drawback is the pool’s limited opening hours, from 11 am to 7 pm.
AC Hotel Iberia Las Palmas – Gym
The gym, located on the 11th floor, is not very large but has a beautiful view of the port. It features mainly cardiovascular equipment, a bench, and a few weights. Towels and bottled water complete the experience.
AC Hotel Iberia Las Palmas – Other Services
The hotel offers dry-cleaning and normal cleaning services, but the prices are exorbitant.
The establishment also offers a laundry room, which was closed at the time of my visit. I therefore preferred to use a laundromat a few minutes away from the hotel.
The AC Hotel Iberia Las Palmas boasts a number of conference and reception rooms on the second floor. There are also two parking lots: one in front and one in the back, but they are very limited.
AC Hotel Iberia Las Palmas – Overall Impression
I really enjoyed my stay at the AC Hotel Iberia Las Palmas. Its location is perfect, as it’s not only close to the old town but also to a shopping street with lots of stores and restaurants.
Not to mention easy access to the bus station, which is less than a five-minute walk away. And that rooftop pool is an ideal place to relax after a day of sightseeing or remote work.
The staff were friendly and proactive with requests. My only regret, apart from the opening hours of the AC Lounge, is that there is no visible acknowledgement of Marriott status, apart from a small bottle of “salsa Picante” given to me on my arrival in the suite.
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Go further with Marriott Bonvoy
To maximize your stays and points earning, check our complete Marriott Bonvoy program guide and our best Marriott Bonvoy credit cards ranking. For personal use, see the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. For business expenses, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card earns points on every business purchase. And if a points purchase promotion is running, take advantage via our Marriott Bonvoy points purchase guide.