The New Tenerife Hotel Rewriting the Rule Book on Island Life
Living North head to sunny Tenerife to discover a brand new hotel that's rewriting the rulebook on island life
It’s so new, in fact, that our taxi driver hesitates, squinting at the sat-nav, before spotting the low-key entrance flanked by an elegant concierge desk. Blink and you might miss it, but that’s very much the point.
Check-in is swift, smooth, and sparkling (quite literally, thanks to the welcoming flute of chilled Champagne). With barely a sip downed, we’re already being whisked through a whistle-stop tour of the hotel, past the two stylish restaurants, pool area and wellness suite. Everything is sleek and shiny as a new pin. The whitewashed walls reflect the afternoon sun; exotic flowers bloom in artfully arranged beds lining the long walkways. It feels exclusive without snobbery – and somewhere that’s only going to get better with time.
Our swim-up Junior Suite impresses from the off. Think neutral tones, clever lighting, and luxe extras that make all the difference – a GHD hairdryer, Guerlain toiletries. The huge stand alone bath and a therapeutic rain shower make it all too tempting to linger a little while longer. Floor-to-ceiling doors slide silently open onto our private terrace with its table and two comfy, cushioned loungers. The pool in front connects the row of nearby rooms, but there’s no one swimming as we peek out, and in fact, hardly any guests made an appearance swimming past our sunny terrace all through our stay.
Skipping the unpacking, we head to the terrace cocktail bar just in time to catch the sun throwing a final golden shimmer across the Atlantic. We clink our Aperol spritzes and agree that we should punctuate every English spring with a spell in the Spanish sunshine.
Dinner that night is at Bonfire, one of the hotel’s two standout à la carte restaurants, where elemental cooking takes centre stage. Fire, wood, smoke – it’s all in the name and very much on the plate. To start: a vibrant tuna tartare with kimchee vinaigrette, edamame, and smoky grilled avocado – fresh, punchy and gone far too quickly. The main course is a masterclass in simplicity done right: a Friesian beef filet mignon, seared medium-rare and so tender it slices like warm butter. We pair it with charcoal-grilled leeks, their edges caramelised and smoky, simple house salad with a citrus-led dressing, and house fries (of course). It’s the sort of plate you don’t want to share, even if you promised you would.
Dessert is sunshine on a plate – grilled pineapple, sweet and slightly charred, served with coconut, mango, and a scoop of passionfruit sorbet. Light, bright, and the perfect end to our first meal on Canarian soil. It’s clear that the restaurants here are a cut above the typical hotel offering. Due to abridged opening times, we sadly don’t make it to the more formal Crater, where Chef Eduardo Domínguez explores the island’s culinary heritage with a seasonal tasting menu, but we’ll certainly be back for more.
Breakfasts are leisurely affairs, with just about every option available from the bountiful buffet (we’re talking local cheeses, freshly-baked pastries, gleaming sheets of honeycomb, fruit and chia seed puddings). If that wasn’t enough, there is a battalion of smiling chefs ready to whip up eggs any way you like, plus waffles, pancakes, and more. The atmosphere is unrushed and easy, soundtracked by soft clinks of cutlery and, charmingly, the distant clunk of golf balls being hit on the practice range below.
Despite its polished finish and peaceful vibe, Royal Hideaway Corales Villas wears its family-friendly ethos with pride. Children have their own creative spaces, from the Entre Tejados Kids Club to the teen-centric Crescendo Lounge, both offering age-tailored activities that keep younger guests entertained – and crucially, occupied. This is a place where you don’t need to compromise style for the sake of family.
Adults, meanwhile, can drift off in the wellness suite, where a gym and sauna sessions await, or indulge in spa treatments using the prestigious Augustinus Bader range – as of writing, Royal Hideaway Corales Villas is the only hotel in Spain to offer them. We’re lucky enough to experience a signature facial using his unique, hands-on method, which leaves my skin visibly plumper and brighter in just one 90-minute (luxurious and to-be-repeated) treatment.
We watched the fitness bikes being wheeled out daily to the poolside with the best of intentions… and then ordered another coffee. The same goes for the daily SUP yoga classes in the pool – they looked equal parts zen and challenging. Next time, we tell ourselves.
While the hotel itself is open and thriving, the much-anticipated luxury villas – two- and three-bedroom spaces each with a private pool and full kitchen – are set to launch in July. Judging by the impeccable standards elsewhere, they’re likely to become the go-to for families seeking both privacy and pampering in one of Tenerife’s most desirable postcodes.
Golfers will be in heaven with Costa Adeje’s pristine fairways just across the road, and while a car is handy for island exploration, you may well find the biggest challenge is tearing yourself away from your sun lounger and the staff, who are stand-out superb.
Royal Hideaway Corales Villas may be the new kid on the Costa Adeje block, but it’s already playing in the big leagues. With thoughtful service, top-tier dining, and a design that balances sleek sophistication with real warmth, this is set to become the jewel in the Canary’s crown.
