Just north of the throngs of beachgoers and sunseekers on Tenerife’s southwestern coast, this striking clifftop hotel has been a go-to for blissed-out poolside luxury, complemented by golf and high-end dining, since 2005. Its signature salmon-coloured buildings and palatial Moroccan-style architecture make it one of the most recognisable properties in the Ritz-Carlton portfolio – and rightly so, as this place is stop-you-in-your-tracks gorgeous.
This is a Ritz hotel, so you can expect unadulterated luxury. The newly opened Retreat consists of four rows of private ‘casitas’, organised by lanes that meander through the eucalyptus trees and subtropical plants of the resort’s sloping lower gardens. We stayed in an adults-only strip of suites, in a clean, bright room finished with rust-hued furnishings, hanging bulbs, and a spacious his-and-hers bathroom. Sliding glass doors lead out to a long, winding pool to spend long, languid days. A high staff-to-guest ratio means you’ll be wanting for absolutely nothing; there are around 1,000 employees waiting hand and foot across the resort. The people who work here are exceptionally helpful, but not cloyingly so; the best of all worlds.
This place has a lot to show off about, but its myriad of exceptional dining options are by far its greatest draw. Akira Back, the only hotel in Spain named after its Michelin-awarded chef, is the show-stopper —a moody underground restaurant famous for its 13-course Japanese menu, which features impeccably presented small plates of sashimi, red king prawn, beef cheek, and more. Breakfast in ‘the club’, reserved for Retreat guests, is a classy affair, featuring low jazz music, heaters, and views overlooking the Atlantic. To top it all off, there are seven freshwater pools, from the large Lagoon Pool to the tucked-away Persian Garden Pool, plus an 18-hole golf course, a tennis academy, shops, a state-of-the-art gym and an enormous spa with several treatment rooms and a wellness circuit.
Time Out tip: There are many stylish touches to celebrate here; a highlight is the beautifully designed hotel magazine, full of interesting deep-dives into Tenerife’s art, culture and food.
Address; Calle María Zambrano 2, Carretera General, TF-47, Km 9, 38687, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Price: Fluctuates depending on season; standard rooms average at around £280 per night
Closest transport: Abama (T) bus stop