A stay at Royal Hideaway Corales Resort helped Tim Price look beyond his preconceptions about Tenerife as just a year-round sunshine destination – to discover a location that not only offers surprising diversity but is also making a mark as a Michelin-star-studded culinary hotspot…
I had never been to Tenerife before, and admittedly it has, up to now, not featured in my top 10 ‘must visit’ destinations. I think partly that has largely been attributed to my perception of its draw for the stag / hen weekend coupled with my lack of knowledge and appreciation for the actual diversity of this island. But forget the stereotype of just nightlife and popular beach resorts; even in just a few days I discovered an island rich with things to shatter my presumptions. From the dramatic scenery of hiking destination Teide National Park and the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve location of the jungle-like Anaga Rural Park to charming, traditional Canary-island villages with friendly, fiercely proud inhabitants.
The draw of fine cuisine
But aside from all this is the fact that in recent decades Tenerife has quietly been establishing itself as something of a culinary hotspot. Some highly respected names in gastronomy such as Erlantz Gorostiza Aguirre, Andrea Bernardi and Seve Díaz now craft their creations on the island. And perhaps the luxurious Royal Hideaway Corales Resort in Adeje is the perfect distillation of the island’s standing in the world of fine dining. It is the only hotel in the entirety of Spain where three of its restaurants hold a Michelin Star. What better place for the food tourist to set up base camp from which to explore the delights, gastronomic and otherwise, that Tenerife has to offer?
A 5-Star resort in two parts:
1. Where adults stay in style
The sleek, contemporary-designed Corales Beach hotel – created by renowned architect Leonardo Omar features storeys of white curved decks that cleverly give the appearance of a cruise ship when viewed from offshore, while shapes that hint of marine coral feature throughout, including a screen that wrapped around a sumptuous, deep white bath that formed the centre focal point of my room. Exuding modern chic, it was a generously proportioned, well-appointed space that extended out to a large, private balcony with views of the Atlantic.
The Coral theme is present everywhere, including a screen that wrapped around a sumptuous, deep white bath that formed the centre focal point of my room
There are 121 luxury guest rooms at Royal Hideaway Corales Beach and it is specifically designed as an adults only hotel. I was able to make full use of the facilities here including the spa, wellness and fitness zone, restaurants, bars and swimming pools (including an infinity rooftop one) safe in the knowledge that the only brief interruptions to my tranquillity would be a waiter delivering my Beneharo cocktail and not some over-enthusiastic 10 year old jumping in the deep end. But that is only half the story…
2. Family luxury and privacy
The resort also caters for family-friendly breaks in equally impressive style, in fact the adjoining 5-Star Royal Hideaway Corales Suites offering 114 units, is considered by TripAdvisor as one of the 25 best hotels in Spain, and I can see why. With the crisp contemporary design that follows through from the adult-only side of the resort, these suites are both chic and spacious. Available in either two- or three-bedroom configurations – they appear to offer the best of both worlds. With their own kitchen and in some cases their own private pool they provide self-catered privacy, but with all the family resort facilities available as and when the family choose to use them. That includes bars, restaurants, wellness, three outdoor heated pools and an absolutely packed itinerary of optional activities for all ages.
Right from the very hotel entrance, this place is certain to excite even the surliest of offspring; the cave-like reception area was blasted out of the shear rock and with atmospheric uplighting, pools and fountains it has the feel of the luxurious underground headquarters of the most stylish Bond villain.
Having told you that my eyes have been well and truly opened as to just how much there is to see and explore on this volcanic island (and there really is), you could be forgiven for never leaving this sleek resort and embracing their motto of ‘the luxury of slow living’. I would have gladly stayed all day in the Ocean House Spa for example, a serene space within a kind of courtyard bordered by a natural stone wall and palms, where fountains pour into hydrotherapy pools, sun loungers and white four-poster day beds all help guests to chill out and recharge. And the wide range of treatments available take the relaxation to another level still. I enjoyed a traditional massage, but there are also more tailored massages plus facials and body rituals including a detox option.
Ocean House Spa at Royal Hideaway Corales Resort
And onto the main course…
Returning from a stay at Royal Hideaway Corales Resort would have been an opportunity wasted if I hadn’t sampled at least some of its aforementioned acclaimed gastronomic hot spots. To be honest even the hotel’s most casual buffet offering – the Nao Atlantic Food Experience; open from breakfast onwards is teeming with such a vast selection of mouthwatering array of cold dishes and desserts along with options live-cooked to order, you could be forgiven for not venturing further, but the Royal Hideaway Corales Resort’s star-studded fine dining options beckoned..
Il Bocconcino (One Michelin Star)
Michelin Starred ‘Il Bocconcino’ at Royal Hideaway Corales Resort
Having dined here during my stay, I can personally vouch for Bolognese chef Niki Pavanelli’s modern approach to Italian cuisine across our marathon 10-course tasting menu which took us on a north to south Italian flavour journey. It showcased refined pasta, including lamb ragù pappardelle and king crab Sapore di Mare, alongside carbonara, cavolo nero risotto, pheasant, and pear sorbet. Traditional techniques with contemporary flavours. Every dish was a work of art, little wonder the restaurant has also earned one of Spain’s Repsol Sun culinary awards.
Starfish Atlantic Grill
On the subject of Repsol Sun awards, the resort’s Starfish Atlantic Grill restaurant which has far-reaching ocean views also gets a well-deserved mention. With impressive sustainability credentials which recognise responsible sourcing, environmental management and creative vegetarian-led cooking, the focus here is on seasonal, locally sourced produce. I sampled the ‘Green’ menu and highlights were probably the Aubergine with black garlic, pine nuts & olives, and the Goat Yoghurt with papaya and thyme.
El Rincón de Juan Carlos (two Michelin Stars)
This restaurant, also with ocean views, presents refined signature cuisine through a carefully balanced tasting menu. Led by Tenerife-born chef Juan Carlos Padrón, who, with his brother come from a famously ‘foodie’ family, the restaurant combines local ingredients with selected international produce. Besides the impressive two Michelin Stars and three Repsol Suns, In 2019, Padrón was named “Chef de L’Avenir” by the International Academy of Gastronomy.
San Hô (One Michelin Star)
San Hô explores global culinary influences through the lens of the Canary Islands, combining international techniques and flavours with a strong emphasis on local produce and producers. It also holds a Repsol Sun, and was named Best Restaurant in the Canary Islands at the 38th Diario de Avisos National Gastronomy Awards. Chef Adrián Bosch was named Best Chef in the Canary Islands in 2012 and later reached the 2016 Best Chef in Spain final.
During your Tenerife stay:
Whale & Dolphin watching: Seriously consider chartering a yacht from Blue Jack Sail. Yes, there are many companies offering ‘whale watching’ trips from nearby Puerto Colón, but most are large capacity vessels and as a result – marine life can be wary of them. But being aboard a smaller (and much more elegant) yacht such as Jeanneau Sun manned by a marine-knowledgable crew enabled us the opportunity to get up alongside inquisitive, playful schools of Pilot Whales and Dolphins. A memory that will stay with me forever.
Golf – Golf Costa Adeje is just 220 metres from the resort, a 27-hole course featuring open greens, lakes and craters, it is rated as one of the best 10% courses in Europe.
Other ‘luxury experiences’ that can be arranged by the resort include bike rental, paragliding, scuba diving, offshore fishing and yacht cruises.
A few minutes drive up into the hills and you’ll find acre after acre of banana plantations. A visit to La Calabacera is well worth consideration. Masses of lush green banana leaves provide a reminder that on the island of Tenerife you’re much closer to the continent of Africa than Europe and this 150,000 sq metre family-run plantation is entirely organic. Banana plants, fruit trees, vegetables, wine grapes, and subtropical fruits all flourish in this wonderful, serene setting. I sampled perhaps the ultimate ‘farm-to-table’ experience here – dining on simple, freshly cooked, local dishes under dappled sunlight in a beautifully rustic outdoor kitchen. Definitely one of the highlights of my stay.
Rustic ‘Farm-to-Table’ at La Calabacera
Tenerife may not have originally been on my ‘must visit’ radar, but I returned home better enriched by luxurious experiences cultural, ecological and gastronomic. Royal Hideaway Corales Resort had played a significant part in changing my view. In fact, come those UK dark, cold days of winter I’m sure I’ll be yearning year-round Canary Island sunshine and it’ll be towards the top of my ‘must re-visit’ list.
www.barcelo.com/en-gb/royal-hideaway-corales-resort
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