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Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Hotel Review: Bahia Del Duque, Tenerife
Set on the Costa Adeje, the lively and scenic southern coast of Tenerife, Bahia Del Duque is a sprawling five-star hotel with five swimming pools, ten restaurants, an impressive state-of-the-art spa and direct access to a white sandy beach. Rooms and facilities At over 100,000m², this is a large resort and it feels like a mini village with its turreted buildings, lush gardens, courtyards, restaurants and pools. There are 346 rooms and 40 more private villas, many with a sea view. As such, there's a wide offering of accommodation, with the most expensive option being Las Villas, which deliver more privacy and more modern luxurious design. Our room was in the main hotel and was comfortable, clean and well appointed with TV, minibar, balcony and a generous bathroom. The terracotta floor nodded to Spanish style and the bathroom goodies were Molton Brown. There is a lot on offer here. Think tennis, paddle and squash courts, Pitch and Putt and nightly entertainment in the main square. Spa facilities Here is a real surprise: this traditional resort houses an incredibly impressive cutting-edge spa. Designed by industry legend Susan Harmsworth, it has an outdoor thalassotherapy pool surrounded by sun loungers — a calm oasis offering a serene alternative to the hotel's pools. Treatment rooms are luxurious and spacious, and the standard of therapists is very high. It also houses a fitness centre, reformer Pilates studio, a beauty salon for hair services and mani/pedis. Food and drink With thirteen bars and lounges and ten restaurants (Nub is Michelin-starred), there's a lot of choice. Choosing the half-board option is a great money-saver, but does limit you to certain restaurants, and it's worth knowing that some dishes on the menu carry a surcharge. We ate at The Brasserie Terrace and had a great Chateaubriand (which had a surcharge of around 9 euros a head). Another night we ate good Italian-style food at La Trattoria. The Alisios Market Food was our least favourite option. Breakfast is a real triumph. Providing hundreds of guests with good service is no mean feat, but friendly, helpful staff make it a pleasurable experience. They are constantly replenishing, tidying and serving, which means you aren't waiting too long. And there really are options to suit everyone — from healthy to indulgent. There's also a children's club and a teen area. Highlights The hotel is right on the seafront and you can walk for miles in either direction, with plenty of bars and cafés to refresh in. It's also only twenty minutes from the airport. What to do nearby Apart from the buzzy beach, there is the Plaza Del Duque shopping centre which has a host of designer labels. Or book a whale- or dolphin-spotting boat trip. We also went to Zambra Sky Bar at the nearby GF Victoria Hotel, where the panoramic views make it a great spot for sundowners. Best for? Families, those wanting an easy 'fly and flop' break with guaranteed sunshine, couples wanting a romantic break.
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Daily Mail
I swapped the Maldives for a popular Spanish resort best known for cheap beer - and got the same luxury for less
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?
The Independent
09-05-2025
- The Independent
The 7 best things to do in Tenerife's Costa Adeje, from sunbathing to whale watching
Much like other Canary Islands, Tenerife is shaking off its reputation as a destination for soulless resorts and party culture, as travellers discover its dramatic volcanic landscapes, varied wildlife and lively traditions. Among the other Canary Islands, Tenerife stands out as wonderfully varied, with charming towns and unique nature in abundance. If it's history and culture you're after, you'll find much to explore in the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with its storied squares, markets and arts centres, such as the must-see Auditorio de Tenerife. And by heading southwest to Costa Adeje, you'll have the best beaches and a bounty of activities for all ages on your doorstep. With designer shopping halls, five-star resorts and excellent dining options, Costa Adeje is a cut above other coastal resorts on the island. But its natural beauty is its trump card. As a natural enclave, its beaches are great for sheltered bathing, while the marine life and volcanic rock structures are best explored by dipping below the glimmering surface. If you've exhausted its plentiful sands, Costa Adeje is also a playground of activities with mountain hikes, water parks and nature reserves, making the area ideal for a stress-free family trip. To aid the planning of your holiday, we've rounded up some of the best things to do in Costa Adeje. 1. Soak up some sun One of the main appeals of Costa Adeje is its beaches, and for good reason. You'll find both dark volcanic and soft golden sands, paired with crystal-clear waters. Choose between Blue Flag beaches – an indication of cleanliness and safety – Playa del Duque and Playa Fañabe. While the latter volcanic beach offers a range of beach clubs and bars and is ideal for paddling, Playa del Duque is a glorious sandy sweep with sunbed and umbrella rental and gorgeous sunset views. 2. Tee off with glorious views Tenerife has long been a hot spot for golf, but few areas rival Costa Adeje with its mild climate and numerous courses. The 18-hole championship course at Golf Costa Adeja has hosted several European Tours, while there are six lakes to contend with at the beginner-friendly Los Lagos nine-hole course. Book an early tee-off to enjoy the spectacular coastal views across to the island of La Gomera, before temperatures warm up too much. 3. Splash around in a Thai-themed waterpark The expansive Siam Park calls itself a 'Water Kingdom', which is fitting considering the number of rides and attractions it boasts, both for children and big kids. Adrenaline-inducing slides, a lazy river, child-friendly areas and gentle wave pools guarantee hours of fun, while the VIP cabañas offer a welcome breather from the action and the chance to soak up some sun. 4. Take a cable car up Mount Teide Although an hour's drive away, it's worth the day trip from Costa Adeje to visit the awe-inspiring Mount Teide volcano and its surrounding national park. While keen hikers might opt to clamber up the 3,718-metre peak, the cable car gets you within 200 metres of the top and offers breathtaking views along the way. From there, explore the park's extraordinary terrain marked with its dramatic caldera, hardened lava tongues and caves as well as fauna and flora unique to the Canary Islands. Alternatively, wait till dusk to experience the park's exceptional starlit skies. After watching the sun slip behind the rugged peaks, stargaze with a guide and a long-range telescope. 5. Hike through a nature reserve With rich soil, year-round sunshine, and a unique microclimate, Tenerife is home to rich ecological diversity, including 140 endemic plant species. No place shows this off better than Barranco del Infierno or 'Hell's Gorge' – the dramatic geographical features of which earn the attraction its name. Book a walking tour to see the Protected Natural Area's remarkable wildlife, including species only found in the reserve. Following an old shepherd's path, the hike lasts around three-and-a-half hours and showcases the coast's terrain with a series of vantage points over the ravine. 6. Go whale watching The island's extraordinary wildlife extends beyond its shores as marine mammals like to bask in the warm waters of the strait between Tenerife and La Gomera. Thanks to reliable sailing conditions, whale and dolphin sightings from Costa Adeje are second-to-none. Head out on boat trips launching from Puerto Colón marina, while those with smaller children might prefer the Royal Delfin's catamaran for its below-deck viewing windows. Whatever your vessel, spotting the resident population of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins is highly likely, but keep your eyes peeled for minke, sperm and killer whales too. 7. Dive with turtles and rays While boat trips take you further off shore, diving close by is the best way to see Tenerife's miraculous mix of marine life. Costa Adeje is a top snorkelling spot with pristine waters and dramatic underwater topography marked by caves, canyons and arches. In water regulated by the Gulf Stream, stingrays, green sea turtles, moray eels and angel sharks (not considered dangerous) are among the life you'll spot beneath the surface. Choose from the many PADI-approved diving schools in the area, where you can find your feet in pool lessons, before joining guided dives.
