Lopesan gives an African facelift to the Baobab hotel in Meloneras

The Lopesan chain has updated the Baobab hotel in the south of Gran Canaria in Meloneras with its 9 swimming pools and restaurants in African nuances, that is, one of the highest sun and beach hotels with a high capacity for private spending in Europe. The hotel began operating in 2009 and has been the leading resort in Spain on nine consecutive occasions. Eustasio López's hotel group assigned the project to the ACH Arquitectos studio and Tomás Alía, an architect specializing in interior design.

The objective was clear: to ensure that the resort offered a unique, surprising and original experience to its guests through its architecture and services inspired by Africa. The hotel must have conquered guests, curious people and passers-by at first sight.

It is for this reason that extensive knowledge of their traditional culture was required. Everything had to evoke the African continent and under no precept could one fall into clichés or count on mediocre constructive and decorative solutions. Excellence was also a requirement for this five-star hotel, obviously.

Therefore, the technicians came to the conclusion that the areas dedicated to the different pools and outdoor spaces had to have rock formations and predominant vegetation from the African jungles and savannas. "A requirement that would help consolidate that desired environment," Glassydur tells Maspalomas24H. Finally, the decoration of the hotel had to be made with pieces and decorative elements representative of African culture, also the color, light, layout of the spaces and the materials used had to be in accordance."

In the end, building a resort inspired by African culture with modern, ethnic touches and tribal elements that make up an exotic luxury experience without falling into clichés or kitsch, presents several challenges such as using stone with ocher and terracotta tones. All of them are commonly used both for their construction and for cladding and decoration, but difficult and expensive to acquire in the Canary Islands.