Tenerife is often overlooked as a luxury getaway, but a stay at Royal Hideaway Corales Beach is an escape suited to even the most discerning of guests.
With architectural grandeur, stylish rooms and two Michelin star restaurants, Royal Hideaway Corales Beach is a hotel of two parts: adult-only and family-friendly. Citizen Femme checked into the adult-only side for a romantic, child-free weekend.
Tenerife is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, but it comes with a stigma thanks, in large part, to the many stag and hen parties that take place here. Royal Hideaway Corales Beach – on the island’s southerly Costa Adeje, which is said to have 300 days of sunshine a year – is a mellow location, without a sparkly tiara or Brits-abroad pub in sight. Our driver from the airport tells us this is the best property on the island. We’re off to a good start.
The Vibe
The hotel exterior is reminiscent of a grand cruise ship, though that’s where the similarities end. The panoramic location, by renowned local architect, Leonardo Omar Díaz, is strikingly modern; dotted with cascading white terraces and full of light, overlooking twinkling seas and a quaint, colourful town. It’s clear from arrival this is a contemporary hotel for grown-ups.
Immaculately kept palm trees and tropical gardens surround the property – welcome amongst the mountainous terrain – and are a beautiful juxtaposition against crisp white walls. The property is split into two, adult-only and family-friendly, and there’s enough space between the two to make them feel entirely separated, overlapping only if you choose to venture away from the amenities on your door step. Champagne is served on arrival (we’d have it no other way) before you’re whisked off to your room. Ours was a generously-spacious suite on the adult-only side of the hotel.
The Rooms
All rooms at Corales Beach are Junior Suites with ocean-facing views and each room boasts around 60 square metres of space, is filled with natural light and comes with a sleek, open-plan design. Interiors are inspired by the island’s marine life; evident from the coral-like room-dividing partition between the bedroom and the bathroom, which has a stand alone bath tub, rain fall shower, and double sinks. Decor is modern with lots of natural textures, and the bed was one of the biggest we’ve slept in. The terrace is also large, and comes kitted out with sun-loungers plus table and chairs, ideal if you want to catch some rays or drink your morning coffee al fresco.
The Food + Drink
With five different restaurants there’s no need to dine in the same space twice – although some of them are so good you will doubtlessly want to return. Royal Hideaway is proud to have two Michelin star restaurants, San Hô awarded one star and the two-star El Rincón de Juan Carlos. San Hô reinterprets Nikkei cuisine, fusing Japanese, Peruvian and Canarian culinary traditions while El Rincón de Juan Carlos focusses more closely on Canarian dishes. Neither cater to vegan or vegetarian requirements.
Il Bocconcino is a standout, modern and progressive approach to Italian haute cuisine. Set within an ultra-chic and elegant al fresco dining spot, we opted for the 12-course tasting menu with wine pairing (which was adapted to suit a vegan diet) and was really quite exceptional. The restaurant also has a sister spot, La Trattoria; a relaxed dining concept serving up homemade pastas and delicious pizzas prepared by their pizzaiolo.
Breakfast is served at Nao, located beside the main pool and overlooking the horizon. Natural, seasonal and local produce make up the sizeable buffet or, if you want to simply sit back and relax, order from the à la carte menu. There’s a smoothie counter, a live cooking station, and even an Iberian ham slicer. You’ll be excited to indulge each morning.
Starfish Atlantic Grill, on the family-friendly side of the property, is worth visiting for lunch – even if you do encounter a child or two. Aptly overlooking the sea, the atmosphere here is sophisticated and refined, with fresh seafood and paella on the menu. There are options for dietary requirements – the vegetable paella and tomato gazpacho are both real winners for plant-based diners.
Be sure to make all restaurant bookings in advance; it’s unlikely they will be able to accommodate walk-ins.
The Pools and Spa
There are three outdoor saltwater pools across both properties. Two are adult-only, and one of those is the rooftop infinity pool with impressive views and a welcomed bar. All pools are lined with double Balinese sun loungers for the ultimate comfort, and are equipped with QR codes that allow you to order your frozen mango margarita via the click of a button. If you’re staying for a good amount of time, being able to alternate between the different pool areas keeps your days interesting as each offers a different experience, from panoramic views to quiet relaxation amongst the palms.
The 1,000 square metre spa, Wellness Corales, boasts a hydrotherapy circuit that includes an outdoor heated pool with hydromassage jets, a cold-plunge pool and a sauna. Treatments are based on the ancient Indian medicine of Ayurveda and partners booking different massages can sink into them in the same room – a nice touch for those not specifically requesting a couples massage. We indulged in the 90-minute Diamond Experience Rose Massage, a luxurious ritual that included a body exfoliation using a Damascus rose scrub that enhances the luminosity and nutrition of the skin. Expect to walk in and float out.
The Little Extras
If you left anything at home, or simply want to treat yourself to a spot of retail therapy, the resort has an underground shopping avenue full of lovely boutiques selling everything from fine jewellery and designer swimwear to world-class beauty products. There’s also a hair salon, should you need a fresh blow-dry pre dinner.
The To-Do List
The black sands of Playa de Enrama beach are just a stroll away and the hotel has a private, guest-only section on the beach. For us, the unbeatably chic pool area was a more enticing place to soak up the sun. Speak to the hotel concierge about the excursions they can arrange, which include cruises under the stars, diving trips to an underwater abyss with volcanic cliffs, whale watching and a trip to Teide National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Keen golfers will be pleased to know there’s a nearby 27-hole course, and the island is small so you can also hire a car and drive from south to north – but we predict you’ll be just as happy lying under the sun at Royal Hideaway with a cocktail in hand.
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