I have to admit that I tend to take sunshine, warm weather, palm trees, beaches and the ocean for granted much of the time. But of late, watching news footage of the chaos and misery being wrought across Northern Europe by freezing temperatures and snow, I’ve been counting my blessings for being lucky enough to live in the beautiful Fortunate Isles.

Where I live I know winter has arrived when I can sit at a pavement cafe for half an hour without hugging the shade like a vampire and when I feel the need to slip on a sweater before going out at night. It’s funny to see the looks I get from T shirt and shorts wearing visitors when they see my long sleeves and my boots, their eyes expressing genuine amazement because to them, this is better than the very best of their summers.

So for everyone who isn’t lucky enough to live in a year round tropical climate, this year more than ever, an escape to the sun is top of the post-Christmas agenda and once it’s booked the winter will become that much more bearable just knowing there’s a sunbed with your name on it.

And if you’d like that sunbed to be on a soft, white sand beach with a turquoise lagoon lapping at the shore while the fronds of palm trees gently sway and a Mai Tai is just a flip flop away – there’s no better time to book it.
From now until the 31st January 2011, if you book a Sands Holiday Resort vacation online you’ll save an unbelievable 25% on the best web rates.

It seems to me you can kill three birds with one click here – get the best January sales bargain going without even leaving the warmth of your living room, book your place in the sun, and transform the rest of the winter from endless misery to temporary inconvenience.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m just off to apply the factor 15 and maybe even order another Mai Tai …aahh, bliss

Costa Teguise is one of the most popular destinations in Lanzarote and with a wide choice of established hotels it takes a lot to win international recognition. Sands Beach Resort Hotel has shone through though to be voted the best hotel in Costa Teguise for the second year running by Zoover, Europes biggest holiday review website.

Zoover uses feedback from customers and guests, the people that experience the holidays. They have all been impressed by the beachfront location of the family friendly hotel with its unique sea water lagoon and easy access to the beaches and the friendly town of Costa Teguise. Sports are well catered for at Sands Beach Resort Hotel with everything from tennis  to wind surfing as well as a fully equipped gym.

But overall it’s probably the relaxed feel of staying at Sands Beach Resort Hotel, friendly helpful staff, lots of entertainment for the children and a wide choice of food and drink options on site. Whilst they wont rest on their achievements so far, you wouldn’t bet against Sands Beach Resort Hotel making it a hat trick of victories next year.

Given our fantastic climate, endless on and off road cycling routes, cycle friendly traffic and host of cycling events throughout the year we are seeing more and more cycling enthusiasts make their way down to our lovely little island to enjoy all the splendors Lanzarote and Costa Teguise have to offer. It’s no wonder why we’re quickly becoming known as one of the premier cycling destinations in Europe.

At Sands Beach we’re all about getting people up and on their feet and on their bikes, and what better way to do that than getting together with a professional provider of high end mountain and road bikes. Well, that is just what we’ve done and we’re very pleased to announce the launch of our recent collaboration with Papagayo Bike. Choose from a great selection of high-end Specialized racing bikes for the road or suspension Pro Mountain bikes for the endless trails that await you just steps from the hotel. For the more recreational rider, we also offer a variety of touring bikes and beach cruisers, as well as a full selection of kid’s bikes and trailers, so the whole family can get in on the action.

They are located right in our main reception building and offer full service and support, as well as all the little odds and ends you may need to make your perfect cycling dream vacation a reality. Special discounts are available if you book in advance, which you can do with our reservations team at reservations@sandsbeach.eu or by calling +34 928 82 60 95. Or for more information you can call Papagayo Bike direct on +34 636 130 386 or visit their website.