I hadn’t visited Tenerife for many years until last week when I took myself there for a week of R & R at the newly refurbished RIU Palace Hotel, right on the seafront at Costa Adeje. My experience this time was so enjoyable, thanks to the fabulous service at the hotel, that I’ve already made arrangements to return in a few months time.
And Tenerife has so much to offer whether one is a first-time visitor or a returnee, from a trip to the Mount Teide volcano to an drive through the woods, canyons, deep valleys and colourful villages of the island. The year long warm climate makes it possible to enjoy swimming and sunbathing as well as enjoying water activities and excursions to places of interest like the Corona Forestal nature park, the Acantilados de los Gigantes cliffs and the Loro Parque theme park in Puerto de la Cruz. My favourite though, is whale watching and dolphin watching, a morning trip on either a sailing boat or a catamaran out past the fish farms to a point where the whales disport themselves and the dolphins play tag with the boat.
The 26 million Euros spent on the RIU Palace refurbishment has meant that the hotel has gained that extra star in the quality ratings, something that is obvious from the moment you step into the elegant, airy lobby with its high ceilings, comfortable seating areas to the sophisticated guest relaxation areas, the terraces with stunning ocean views and the lush gardens leading to the beach zone and promenade.
The entrance to the hotel is unusual in that it is on the ground floor – as one would expect – but all the rooms are below this, i.e. you take the lift down to access your bedroom, the ground floor being Floor No. 1 and the Lobby being Floor 6.
The hotel’s elegant and recently renovated facilities include 334 fully redesigned bedrooms, all having been completely remodelled using light colours and simple lines. The rooms come equipped with 43-inch flat screen TVs, electronic safes, and bathrooms with walk-in showers, dressing gowns and slippers and, of course, free WiFi extends throughout the hotel and the bedrooms.
The food outlets are superb, whether you want to eat in a covered area with sea views, outside on the open terrace looking over the well-lit garden, or in the main restaurant or the a la carte Krystal restaurant. Krystal offers a fusion cuisine and the main restaurant has a nightly buffet in which every imaginable dish is on offer. If it’s not, Chef Ignacio is on hand to help you. After dinner try a Gin cocktail at the cocktail bar (the hotel has a vast range of gins from the basic to the latest designer names and each cocktail has a different tonic, different herbs and different spices to tempt the taste buds), or just a wine or a coffee if you prefer as you enjoy the evening entertainment. And breakfast includes champagne!
The Wellness centre (Body Love Spa, Gym and steam room) is open only to hotel guests which does away with those annoying episodes so often met with on holiday where outside ‘club’ members have booked all the best times for treatments. The gym and steam rooms are complementary and the spa offers a range of massages and treatments at prices that are remarkably reasonable for a 5-star hotel.
There is a large heated indoor pool with elegant recliners, open all year, and outside there are 3 outdoor pools, one of them an infinity pool, in what is known as the chill-out zone (an artificial beach) in the beautifully landscaped 21,000 square metre garden, as well as a children’s pool. All are heated in winter.
Just a short walk along the promenade takes you to an up-market shopping courtyard and bars, cafes, leisure options including water sports, and bike hire. About a 15 minute walk away is the main shopping and eating area, Plaza el Duque. If you enjoy golf, reception will be pleased to make arrangements for you.
Impeccable service made my stay a special experience and I felt that I could have equally enjoyed this hotel whether I’d been travelling alone, with family or with a friend. The choice was mine whether to chill out and do nothing, or be active. I chose the chill out option but I went whale watching twice – that’s how good it was.
At the RIU Palace, the warmth and friendliness of the staff will make sure that your holiday is something special.
