Tenerife is blessed with a proliferation of very good hotels which provide visitors with a huge choice of comfortable, clean and contemporary rooms for their holidays. But many of them are part of large hotel chains and, although they have all the style and elegance you would expect from a four or five star hotel, the rooms lack any unique qualities or quirks to make them stand out from the crowd.
These are those hotel rooms (in no particular order) that have offered something different, some kind of wow feature which has made them lodge themselves in our memories as favourites.
Red Level, Palacio de Isora, Alcalá
Although we’ve been fortunate enough to stay in many deluxe hotels because of our jobs, the Melia Gran Palacio de Isora is possibly the most stylish, and Red Level takes opulence to celebrity status. Every once in a while, for a special occasion, it feels very nice to be pampered this effectively.
Stand-out features: Fabulous design elements which merge Oriental and colonial styles with retro features; drawers that slide silently shut; Clarins toiletries; in-room aromatherapy; and a Jacuzzi on the terrace prepared by the room butler.
Royal Garden Villas, Costa Adeje
Without doubt, the most spacious and luxurious accommodation we’ve ever stayed in which made us feel as if we’d downsized when we got home. Magnificent, Thai style design throughout, two bedrooms and a terrace worthy of being in a Hollywood film star’s home.
Stand-out features: Attention to detail in every element of the design; ridiculously comfortable bed; mini bar the size of a small off-licence and sweet shop; so much outside space there wasn’t time to sit in it all.
Could be improved by… Some of the design features verged on twee, less would have been more.
San Roque, Garachico
Still our favourite Tenerife hotel. Not the biggest, or the most luxurious, or the one with the most features, just impeccable taste and design in a stunning setting. We love the juxtaposition of traditional and contemporary and the use of bold colours and statement art pieces to create interest.
Stand-out features: In-room furniture that includes Rennie Mackintosh pieces; a Jacuzzi in the bedroom.
Iberostar El Mirador, Costa Adeje
At one time this hotel was part of the Bahia Del Duque next door but split off to create a romantic, adults-only oasis of calm and elegance. The room’s style design is pure Arabian Nights – all Moroccan lamps and billowing curtains.
Stand-out features: An enormous, private terrace set atop a tower and fit for a Disney princess; draped, four poster bed; beautiful en-suite with an alcoved bath tub.
Barcelo Santiago, Puerto Santiago
Bright, clean, contemporary design in these eye-catching rooms. We loved the colour palette of ice blue, silver and papaya and were lucky enough to have a corner room affording two, jaw-dropping views and an enormous terrace.
Stand.out features: Best views of Los Gigantes cliffs on the island; sunsets over La Gomera; turquoise, opaque glass en-suite.
Could be improved by… Correcting a silly design flaw that means clothes hangers are too wide for the wardrobe so the door doesn’t shut properly.
Iberostar Grand Hotel Mencey, Santa Cruz
City hotels are so often big on convenience and small on space and character so it’s all the more satisfying to stay in colonial splendour, particularly when it’s been given a massive makeover to bring contemporary, retro style to its iconic rooms.
Stand-out features: The design of our executive room was straight from the set of Mad Men – bold, black and white décor; leather sofas and hardwood flooring. Positively sexy.
Could be improved by… You don’t have to sacrifice comfort for design – a cushion or two wouldn’t go amiss, even if they’re only black or white.
Colón Guanahani, Costa Adeje
One of the nicest things about staying in hotels that are not owned by large chains, is that they have an element of individual design, and the Adrián Hotels are a good example. This one was refurbished last year and has a ‘California dreaming meets the Med’ style in aqua blues and colour-washed floorboards.
Stand-out features: The fresh and funky décor; the enormous walk-in showers, and the stylish walk-in wardrobe.
Sandos San Blas, Los Abrigos
We love the colours and design in the rooms at the Sandos. Warm tangerine, green and sienna create the earth palette in bedrooms, with big, sepia prints adorning the walls showing aspects of the landscape and sea life . There’s oodles of floor space and rich, soft fabrics to luxuriate in.
Stand-out features: Glass en-suite with whirlpool bath, an enormous terrace, a separate living room and enough wardrobe space to keep Carrie Bradshaw happy.
Could be improved by… Having real coffee as well as decaf’ in the room.
Villalba, Vilaflor
This one often gets cited as a favourite, we’ve stayed many times and never get tired of it, in fact it seems to get better every time. The Villalba’s knock-out advantage over all the luxe hotels in the south is its fabulous location, essentially in the pine trees. Our favourite rooms are the ones at the back with terraces overlooking the forest.
Stand-out features: Chunky wooden furniture teemed with plaid soft furnishings without it looking ‘home on the range’; huge en-suites with bath salts and retro tiles; the pine forest outside the window.
Plantación del Sur, Costa Adeje
The principles of Feng Shui have influenced the design of the Plantación and have resulted in a space that feels balanced as well as having an elegant simplicity. We had a junior suite with a canopied bed and a walk-in wardrobe/dressing room.
Stand-out features: Muted colours, soft fabrics and lots of natural light all contributed to this being one of the most relaxing rooms we’ve stayed in, plus there’s that rooftop Jacuzzi.
Could be improved by… Less traffic noise. It’s a pity the suites are right above a busy road.
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