Magnificently Mexican, Review of Hotel Villa Cortes in Playa de las Americas

Overall
The Hotel Europe Villa Cortes is a wonderfully exuberant blast of Mexican vivacity in a luxurious package. I’ll make no bones about it, I love its fun and funky style.

Where is the Hotel Villa Cortes?
It’s located on my favourite bit of coastline in Playa da las Americas; it doesn’t feel as though it’s in the centre of one of the most popular resorts in the Canary Islands. It’s ideally positioned for accessing the beaches, bars and restaurants in the most upmarket part of Las Americas as well as those at the southern end of Costa Adeje. Basically, a super holiday resort location.

Hotel Villa Cortes, Montage 1

What is the Hotel Villa Cortes like?
If Baz Luhrmann designed a luxury hotel with a Mexican theme, the chances are the result would be something like the Villa Cortes. The look is Mexican Hacienda, all vibrant colour schemes and rag-rolled style façades set around an interior courtyard with lush gardens and a pool area that have a bit of a Tardis effect. You can spend ages exploring and still stumble across hidden corners that ooze charm.

There are courtyards within courtyards, leading to bars and restaurants, all stunningly decorated and full of quirky artwork. I’m not sure I’ve ever been in a hotel where I’ve had so much fun exploring the grounds trying to spot all the quirks – from metal mariachi band sculptures to Mexican Day of the Dead life-size figures and huge Mayan stone warriors.

Inside is no different, there are so Mexican artefacts it reminded me of the Iberoamericana Museum in La Orotava. The art work on the walls is equally delightful; smile-inducing Fernando Botero prints are only outdone by Frida Kahlo creations on the doors of lifts.

Hotel Villa Cortes Montage 2

The pool is of the type I used to associate with holidays in seriously exotic places, meandering behind a waterfall gushing from faux cliffs. There seemed to be plenty of sunbeds for everyone and the hotel’s ‘sandy beach’ with its Balinese beds overlooking the coast is only a stroll away, accessed via a tunnel under the resort’s promenade.

For anyone who feels active, there are tennis courts and a volleyball/football court in some Mayan ruins (yes, you read that right). For those who fancy being pampered, there’s a beautifully designed spa which you only have to walk into to feel relaxed.

One of the features that I particularly love is a Mayan pyramid with a Catholic church on top (yes, you read right part II) which is actually used for weddings. Kitsch at its glorious best.

Evening entertainment comes in diverse guises; either elegant cocktails in the sophisticated piano bar or mojitos and chill out sounds at sunset in the Chiringuito beach bar overlooking the sea.

Hotel Villa Cortes Montage 3

What are the Bedrooms Like?
The Mexican hacienda theme continues into the bedrooms although colours schemes are more toned down once inside. Bedrooms are big and comfortable. Hair-dryers, satellite TV, bathrobe and slippers, mini bar, and air conditioning and bathrooms are exquisite. A nice touch is a shoe cleaning box. One of the best features are the huge balconies with  pool, garden or sea views. There are only 151 rooms, so there’s a relatively intimately small hotel feel to the Villa Cortes. One downside is wifi isn’t free in the rooms.

How Good is the Food?
In a word? Outstanding. Breakfast in the sun dappled courtyard of the Vera Cruz included eggs Benedict that will take some beating, as well as a local take on huevos rancheros. A tapas lunch at the Beach Club involved gazpacho, grilled cheese, garlic prawns and a barraquito which deserved an award. Dinner at Tiziano include a taster menu of creative cuisine that was right up there with the best of Tenerife gastronomy. There are three other restaurants to choose from including the Brauhaus which specialises in Bavarian cuisine.

Hotel Villa Cortes Montage 4

What is the Best Thing About the Hotel Villa Cortes?
It’s a close thing between the sheer individualistic good looks of the Hotel Villa Cortes with its fun and fascinating grounds and works of art (no surprises that the likes of J.Lo and Marc Anthony chose to stay here) or its gastronomic excellence. The orgasmic food may just shade it.

Who Would it Suit Best?
Although children will love the pool area, it’s definitely a hotel that sophisticated couples with a sense of fun would love. It’s also a foodie’s dream hotel.

Hotel Europe Villa Cortes; Avenida Rafael Puig, nº38; Playa de Las Américas; Tel (+34) 922 757 700; rooms are from €154 a night in low season (breakfast included).

 

Jack is co-editor, writer and photographer for BuzzTrips and the Real Tenerife series of travel websites as well as a contributor to online travel sites and travel magazines. Follow Jack on Google+

About Jack 434 Articles
Jack is co-editor, writer and photographer for BuzzTrips and the Real Tenerife series of travel websites as well as a contributor to online travel sites and travel magazines. Follow Jack on Facebook

2 Comments

  1. My husband and I got married at this hotel on the 18th September 2015. We fell in love with this hotel as soon as we walked into the reception. The hotel and especially the staff were exceptional throughout our stay and the wedding itself exceeded all of our expectations. Ricardo the manager, Sylvia the wedding co-ordinator and all the wonderful staff are truly amazing and a credit to this fabulous hotel.

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