"This hotel has all the physical ingredients to become one of the best hotels in Tenerife. It is an attractive adults only property surrounded by beautiful trees and plants, some local and others from elsewhere, which create a genuinely tropical and luxurious environment. The peacefulness is undoubtedly one of the hotel’s greatest strengths.
Overall, we had a pleasant stay. Nevertheless, I was left with the feeling that the hotel is still missing something essential: a soul. It is visually impressive and professionally operated, but it does not always offer the warmth, personality, local identity and attention to detail that I would expect from a five star hotel.
We booked directly through the hotel’s reservation system well in advance. In the reservation notes, I mentioned that the stay was intended to celebrate a big milestone. We had reserved a room without a balcony but were upgraded to one with a balcony, which was a thoughtful and much appreciated gesture.
Check in was seamless. One of the security guards took our luggage to the room and was particularly kind and attentive. In fact, he was one of the members of staff who showed the most genuine care during our stay. Check out was also straightforward. We asked for a late check out, which unfortunately could not be accommodated.
The room itself was lovely. The double bed was extremely comfortable, the air conditioning worked perfectly, and noise was practically nonexistent. It was an exceptionally peaceful room in which to rest. The WiFi also worked throughout the stay without any problems.
Cleanliness was another of the hotel’s strongest points. The room was always extremely clean, and it was clear that the housekeeping team took the necessary time to clean it properly rather than rushing. The housekeepers were also very pleasant and deserve particular recognition.
The bathroom products, including the shampoo, conditioner and shower gel, were adequate. The conditioner required a generous amount to became effective.
Our balcony overlooked the garden. The most impressive part of the property is the pool area and its tropical surroundings.
The hotel is situated uphill from the town centre and the beach. It has access from both the front and the back, and by leaving through the back it is possible to walk to the centre in at least 15 minutes. The walk is manageable, but the route is steep and includes a considerable number of stairs and inclined sections, particularly when returning to the hotel.
The hotel provides a shuttle service between the property and the town centre, which is useful given its uphill location. However, the timetable is limited. The first shuttle going into town leaves at 9:35 am, while the final shuttle returning to the hotel is at 6 pm. On Saturdays, the service operates only during the morning, and on Sundays it does not operate at all.
This means that guests who prefer to start their day early cannot rely on the shuttle, while anyone wishing to have dinner or spend the evening in town has no way of using it to return. The weekend schedule is even more restrictive. This is particularly relevant in Spain, where dinner and evening activities generally take place later. Together with the pool closing at 7 pm, the shuttle timetable gives the impression that some of the hotel’s operating hours are designed around a rigid schedule rather than around how guests are likely to use the hotel and the surrounding area.
The pool area is one of the hotel’s most beautiful and relaxing spaces. There are plenty of places to sit, and we never had to compete for a lounger. The atmosphere is very quiet, and the sound of the water features and gentle streams around the two pools creates a peaceful background. Surrounded by tropical trees and plants, this area provides much of the hotel’s sense of luxury.
There is one large pool and another very shallow pool, approximately half a metre deep. It would be worthwhile heating at least the shallow pool so that guests could use it comfortably on cloudier or cooler days. We experienced several cloudy days with temperatures of around 25 degrees, when the water was not particularly inviting.
Some soft background music would also create a little more atmosphere. Music was played occasionally, but not consistently. The peacefulness should certainly be preserved, and loud music would not suit the hotel, but something subtle could make the area feel more alive.
Guests are nevertheless allowed to remain in the area afterwards, simply without supervision, which is a reasonable compromise, but effectively no one seems confortavle to do so.
The two toilets near the pool were normally reasonably clean, although toilet paper was missing on a couple of occasions. There is also a practical problem in the men’s toilet. While someone is standing still at the toilet, the motion activated light switches off after only a few seconds. The person is then left in darkness until they manage to trigger the sensor again. This is a small issue, but an unnecessarily inconvenient one that should be easy to correct by adjusting the timer or sensor.
The gym is small but usable and modern. There were normally a few people using it, although it never became so busy that this caused a problem. However, for most of our stay there was a strange and unpleasant smell in this area, particularly around the bathroom next to the gym. We expected the problem to be identified and resolved overnight, but it continued.
Breakfast offered an extensive selection and, at first sight, almost everything one could expect. The Norwegian smoked salmon was a welcome inclusion, and the orange juice was good. However, a large selection is not necessarily the same as variety or consistent quality. Some of the fruit was disappointing, particularly the melon, and the omelettes lacked flavour. After a couple of days, despite the number of items available, breakfast began to feel repetitive and was no longer appealing.
It would be wonderful to see more Canarian products, such as prickly pear juice, locally made fruit preserves or compotes, seasonal island fruit, and a changing Canarian dish. Something slightly different each morning would make a considerable difference. The hotel already organises different themed evenings, so some of that creativity could also be brought into breakfast.
We did not have dinner at the hotel, so I cannot fairly comment on the taste or preparation of the evening food. The themed nights, including international themes such as Mexican food, may provide some variety. However, as visitors to Tenerife, we also wanted to discover the best of Canarian cuisine. The buffet presentation did not tempt us enough to try it, including the small, colourful cakes and desserts.
At the bar, the smoothies were very good. However, both the alcoholic and alcohol free cocktails were relatively unremarkable. The bar did not give the impression of having a dedicated cocktail specialist, especially for the standard price practiced.
We also had lunch at the hotel. The meal was pleasant, and the simple fried fish was enjoyable, and the members of staff serving lunch were friendly.
The greatest individual highlight of our stay was the sports massage. Two of us had the treatment, and we both felt that it was the best massage we had ever experienced. The therapist was genuinely exceptional and deserves particular recognition. This is precisely the kind of expertise, care and memorable personal service that can give a hotel the soul that was sometimes missing elsewhere.
Most members of staff were polite and professional, and I do not wish to suggest that anyone was rude. However, many interactions felt functional, as though people were completing the requirements of their jobs without creating a genuine connection with guests. Courtesy was present, but warmth, initiative and the willingness to go beyond what was strictly required were less evident. The security guard, the housekeeping team, the lunch staff and the massage therapist were positive exceptions.
During the same trip, I stayed at some three and four star hotels elsewhere in the Canary Islands that conveyed more personality and genuine hospitality. At five star level, cordial and efficient service should be the starting point.
In terms of value for money, the hotel was good. The stay was comfortable, the surroundings were beautiful, and the facilities have enormous potential. I would consider returning with someone who had never experienced the hotel because it is undoubtedly a lovely place to introduce to another person. If choosing a hotel for myself again, however, I would probably try somewhere different unless some of these aspects had improved."
