Tenerife hotels for every traveller

For a grand beach resort

Bahia Del Duque

One of the best hotels in Tenerife south, Bahia Del Duque is palatial – and has the service to match. Its architecture is inspired by Spanish monuments and its bellboys wear traditional costume.

The lowdown.. This hotel makes a grand first impression, and further investigation doesn’t disappoint. Every room has a balcony or a terrace, and there are five pools – a mixture of saltwater and freshwater – scattered around the grounds. Hotel activities range from tennis and flyboarding to a jaunt on a luxury yacht.

Insider tip… After your excursions and exertions, you can enjoy a score of restaurants and bars on-site. Each is supplied by an in-house organic garden and well-stocked with the necessary gins and tonics – plus local specialties like cheese and seafood. Sit out on the terrace for breakfast before a short stroll through the gardens to Playa del Duque beach promenade.

For luxury dining

The Ritz-Carlton, Abama

For the last 13 years, the Ritz-Carlton Abama has been one of Tenerife’s standout hotels. It’s huge: there are seven pools, 12 bars and restaurants – two of which hold Michelin stars – and an 18-hole golf course containing some 25,000 palm trees.

The lowdown… But becoming too bogged down in the stats is to miss the Ritz-Carlton’s beauty. Styled like a Moroccan palace, the hotel has domed roofs and terracotta turrets. Photogenic cacti lean against pink walls in hidden gardens (the hotel has an on-site botanist), a secret beach crouches below the cliffs, and the house cocktail is a Canarian Mojito – made with local banana. Local bananas are also found in the spa, where they make delicious additions to the spa menu, alongside lava sand and volcanic rocks.

Insider tip… For a totally unique evening, book the Michelin Stargazing Party. You’ll get a private evening picnic rustled up by the kitchen at M.B. – the Ritz-Carlton’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant. Adjust your binoculars and let your accompanying astronomer point out important constellations and stars. Whether you wish upon any of them is up to you.

Holiday package prices shown exclude local taxes, fees and charges that may be payable at your accommodation. If applicable, these will be displayed in the price breakdown when booking.

For adults only

JOIA El Mirador by Iberostar

This Tenerife luxury hotel is for adults only and is set on the quieter end of Costa Adeje with direct access to the area’s best beach. It’s so grand that it even smells good – thanks to scented candles in the lobby.

The lowdown… The all-suite JOIA El Mirador by Iberostar is in-your-face fancy. A massive lagoon-style pool encircles its pile of pink turrets. Grand, columned hallways and elegant corridors lead to your room, where there’s a capacious dressing room and wardrobe, his and hers sinks, romantic translucent drapes around the bed and a furnished terrace. You can stay on your terrace for breakfast, or hit the buffet, where you can pick the perfect local fruits to create your own breakfast smoothie.

Insider tip… Dine at La Pergola, a formal restaurant serving traditional Spanish and Canarian dishes – try a fresh lobster salad. You’ll need to dress up, but it’ll be worth it.

For families

Hotel GF Victoria

Hotel GF Victoria is a sleek modern addition to the upmarket Bahia Del Duque area of south Tenerife, with an adults-only infinity pool crowning its rooftop.

The lowdown… This slick hotel is all about space and style: it has huge pool areas and big views. With four swimming pools, there’s plenty of space for paddlers, and kids will love the extensive splash park with water slides and wet zones. The surf pool – where you can try your hand at boarding down a waterfall to the delight of spectators – is the only one on Tenerife. You’re also just 150 metres from the beach.

There are multiple restaurants, including a buffet breakfast serving everything from honeycomb to caviar, and a separate kids zone for little diners. The lobby bar comes with a living wall and a live pianist, whilst Donaire restaurant asks that you dress formal attire – in exchange for Canarian gastronomy.

Insider’s tip… The calm adults-only rooftop area is the perfect counterpoint to the water park. Here you’ll find lovely views over the neighbouring island of La Gomera. Grab a cocktail at the well-stocked bar or cast yourself afloat in the infinity pool.

For group holidays

Hotel Baobab Suites

If you’re travelling in any kind of group, Baobab Suites is your friend. This modern hotel, decked in all white, has trendy spacious apartments fitted with kitchens and all the amenities you need to make your group feel at home. But unlike your home, there are two heated outdoor pools and on-site dining.

The lowdown… When it comes to self-catering, Tenerife has plenty of options, but Baobab Suites stands out. Here you can have privacy and autonomy; although there are restaurants on hand if you’re feeling lazy. Even the simplest accommodation has a good kitchen and washing machine, and some come with hot tubs. Most rooms also have huge sea-facing terraces. The hotel’s hilltop vantage point offers great views above the main Costa Adeje area. It’s a walk or taxi ride from Playa del Duque and a half kilometre stroll into town.

If you want to participate in hotel life, the health club offers daily exercise classes. Families are well catered for, and Baobab offers a large kids’ clubs for your little ‘saplings’.

Insider’s tip… Get a breakfast box of groceries delivered to your suite so you can eat in your pyjamas.

Holiday package prices shown exclude local taxes, fees and charges that may be payable at your accommodation. If applicable, these will be displayed in the price breakdown when booking.

For island explorers

Hotel Botanico & The Oriental Spa Garden

One of the best hotels in the north of the island, Hotel Botanico & The Oriental Spa Garden is particularly famous for its wonderful spa. It has a loyal fanbase of return visitors.

The lowdown… Opposite the botanical gardens of Puerto de la Cruz (hence the name), Hotel Botánico’s inspirations come from further afield. This Thai-themed hotel is full of exotic touches: pagodas, elephant statues and orchids fill the grounds. The famed Oriental Spa Garden features a hot tub in a cave, an ice temple and even deliciously tempting chocolate baths.

Rooms are a little dated; this hotel was built in the 1970s, and still bears a few vintage vestiges – but their lovely oversized windows provide ample distractions. Looking out over the subtropical gardens, you might spot a resident black swan gliding on the koi carp pond.

Take breakfast out in the gardens before a leisurely day pottering to the putting green, participating in a yoga class or popping over to Puerto de la Cruz on the bus.

Insider’s tip… Access to the spa is free for guests who stay five nights or more, and this is a fantastic perk if you’re partial to a pampering. The spa has 20 treatment rooms and two hydrotherapy spaces, offering treatments from around the world. Visit the Japanese sauna and the Turkish bath.

For the rock star life

Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife

With its two soaring towers and three swimming pools, the Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife is a fun, modern, family hotel – with as much swagger as Mick Jagger.

The lowdown… You’ll stay in one of two rock star-inspired towers at the Hard Rock Hotel: Oasis or Nirvana. Oasis is for families (as Noel and Liam Gallagher would probably attest), whilst Nirvana is for adults-only. Both have good-sized rooms, where room service allows you to order – among the usual snacks – a Fender guitar should you wish to perfect your chord progressions. Your children will love the futuristic gaming stations in the kids’ club. You might prefer the stylish swim-up bar in the adults-only pool, the beach club at the saltwater lagoon and the 16th floor bar.

Insider’s tip… Don’t make plans on Saturday night before checking the Hard Rock Hotel’s calendar: its famous ‘children of the 80’s’ parties and pool parties occur on most Saturday nights in summer, and roughly once a month in winter.

Terms and conditions