I swapped the Maldives for a popular Spanish resort best known for cheap beer - and got the same luxury for less

Daily Mail​

10-05-2025

I have always been a Maldives loyalist.
Thanks to its turquoise water, the overwater bungalows and white-sand bliss, the South Asian country really had my heart.
But I'm now ready to hand in my Maldivian membership card, because I've discovered a sun-soaked slice of luxury heaven just a four-hour flight from the UK - in Spain.
That means no jet lag, no long-haul faff, and the clincher? Flights are around £60 return.
Tucked away in La Caleta, one of the most exclusive and unspoilt corners of Costa Adeje, the Royal Hideaway Corales Villas is the glittering, new crown jewel of Tenerife's five-star scene.
Perched on a cliffside that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and jaw-dropping views that change colour with the light, the resort offers a new way of holidaying where privacy is guaranteed and inclusive guest experiences are optional.
Arriving bleary-eyed from Stansted after a four-and-a-half-hour flight, I was horizontal by the pool with a glass of Prosseco in hand before most people on my flight had reached baggage claim.
So what makes this place so special?
Let's start with the villas themselves.
Designed by renowned architect, Leonardo Omar, they feature clean lines, glass balconies, natural stone and infinity pools that merge into the skyline.
The interiors strike that perfect balance between luxe and laid-back – think warm wood, crisp white linens, and locally crafted touches like volcanic rock sculptures and artisan ceramics.
Every detail has been thought through, from the Bluetooth speakers and pillow menus to the refillable luxury Guerlain toiletries (eco points for that).
With 40 two-bedroom Deluxe Suites (complete with fully-equipped kitchen, lounge area and private swimming pool) and 21 two and three-bedroom villas (ditto but on a larger scale), Corales Villas has mastered the art of a self-contained sanctuary.
Mine had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchenette, utility room (perfect for families), living room and the most glorious outdoor terrace complete with a private, heated infinity pool.
I'm talking poolside coffee in your pyjamas, with the ocean glittering beyond, and moonlit dips after a lazy dinner of grilled octopus and local wine.
It's impossibly romantic, but also ridiculously relaxing, even with kids in tow.
With the option of cooking a family meal in-house, having an in-room chef (yes, really) or having a well-earned break at one of the two on-site restaurants, it's as independent as you want it to be.
Speaking of food... oh my.
Corales Villas is part of the award-winning Royal Hideaway Corales Resort, which means you get all the perks of a top-tier five-star hotel with the privacy of your own villa.
That includes access to the resort's two in-house restaurants – Bonfire and Crater.
Bonfire serves up a seasonal tasting menu that marries Canarian ingredients with bold Mediterranean flavours (don't miss the mushroom dry rice paella, it's delicious).
Crater, meanwhile, is an open kitchen and a lava-inspired design that nods to Tenerife's volcanic roots and the culture of surrounding islands.
Think bigeye tuna with pickled mojo marinade, black pork terrine and local wines by the glass.
Both are effortlessly chic and just steps from your private retreat.
If you're able to drag yourself away from your luxury abode, you can explore the charming coastal town of La Caleta just a ten-minute drive away, where the seafood is fresh and the locals bask on the rocks like lizards.
For the more adventurous among us, hike the coastal path to Playa Diego Hernández, a secret cove beloved by locals, or join the cool crowd at Coqueluche Beach Bar for cocktails with live acoustic sets and a buzzy atmosphere.
It's no surprise that the resort has been the talk of the travel scene since it opened and it won't be long before the A-listers gravitate towards its glossy veneer and discreet setting.
But, despite the shiny surfaces, there's nothing pretentious about Corales Villas.
Staff are genuinely warm (without the awkward hovering), and the vibe is more 'barefoot luxury' than blingy.
You could swan around in heels and designer kaftans or pad barefoot from terrace to pool and never see another soul.
By the end of the week, I'd stopped checking emails, forgotten what day it was, and actually considered extending my stay.
The Maldives may have the Instagram factor, but Royal Hideaway Corales Villas has something better: effortless, low-key luxury, without the jet lag or the £12 airport smoothie.
So if you're looking for a blow-the-budget break without the long-haul headache, book the flight to Tenerife, skip the overwater hut, and dive into the best-kept secret in European luxury travel.
Maldives who?