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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
30-04-2025
- The Independent
The crowd-free island getaway that won't break the bank this summer
On one side, there are the mountains: the towering Roque del Condé with its distinctive flat top sits among countless other remarkable volcanic rock formations edging towards the scattered clouds above. On the other, there's the Atlantic Ocean: fresh, blue, serene. And in the middle, there's me, reclining on a sun-soaked lounger on my private patio beside the pool, sipping a glass of champagne, gently warmed by the balmy April sun. Quiet luxury is the name of the game at Royal Hideaway Corales Villas, a new hotel in southern Tenerife. Guests are encouraged to 'leave the world behind', indulging in a holistic itinerary of wellness activities, gastronomical experiences, and tranquil relaxation inspired by the Canarian surroundings. The hotel also shows how this kind of luxury doesn't have to cost the earth, with rooms at this five-star property starting at €221/£188 per night. Its small size, intimate facilities and stylistic devotion to tranquillity and serenity – not least the fact that most rooms boast a private pool – makes it stand out in a crowded field. My first day at the Royal Hideaway Corales Villas begins with an early morning yoga class. I'm not usually a morning person, but when I open my blackout curtains to a glittering blue pool outside my swim-up room, the similarly sparkling ocean in the distance being gently warmed by the rising sun, I instantly feel energised and ready to stretch out muscles sore from travelling. A short walk from my suite (a swim-up, sea view junior suite starting at €287/ £244) – takes me to Land House, the hotel's wellness centre which conceptually focuses on the simplicity of nature and earth-inspired rituals. Here, I join fellow yogis in a plant-filled courtyard to begin a gentle morning session adapted to our abilities and goals. Rooms in the same building host tranquil therapeutic massages and other treatments, with a sauna and a sun-soaked courtyard poised to peacefully adjust back to reality after my rejuvenating back massage. What's left after all of that relaxation other than to treat my taste buds and stomach with the same care and attention? A priority for me when I'm travelling is sampling the local cuisine, an experience the Royal Hideaway Corales Villas offers in droves. The à la carte restaurant Bonfire offers a wide range of Spanish and Canarian dishes from fresh fish and meat to tantalising vegetable plates, beautiful dry rice paella to salty seafood delicacies. A highlight from my dining experience is the fresh oyster, served with a delicate dose of caviar (€9/£7) and the mushroom dry rice paella (€27/£23 per person) – both rich, flavoursome and wholesome, crafted with care and attention. I am a pescatarian and am travelling with some vegetarian diners, and the restaurant is more than accommodating to our dietary requirements without sacrificing a drop of the quality and devotion given to our meat-eating counterparts. My second evening is spent at fine dining restaurant Cráter. Canarian chef Eduardo Domínguez's philosophy is to explore the history, traditions and ingredients of the eight Canary Islands, honouring each distinct island with its own carefully crafted tasting menu. The restaurant has opened with a menu focused on La Palma, the fifth largest of the eight main Canary Islands. Every 15 to 18 months, a different island will take the spotlight. There are currently two tasting menus on offer: La Danza del Minué (€85/£72 per person) and La Danza de los Enanos (€105/£90 per person), the latter being larger than the former, but sharing some of the same dishes. Personal highlights include la pimienta palmera – bigeye tuna with pickled red mojo marinade (a local Canarian staple); la Judía Mantecosa, a fragrant and salty bite of butter beans, moray eel and coriander; and el caldero de Fuencaliente – wreckfish, seaweed, green pepper and Marciala potatoes. Those who enjoy the history and culture of food will certainly get a kick out of a night at Cráter, where each and every dish has a story. Whether it's the inclusion of rare, endemic ingredients, dishes that are inspired by the staple foods eaten by locals, or innovative table setting and plating based on local traditions, these menus are a love letter to Canarian cuisine. The restaurant is working towards a Michelin star, following in the footsteps of its One Star neighbour Il Bocconcino at sister hotel Royal Hideaway Corales Suites, just down the road in La Caleta. While the thumping basslines of nearby popular party town Playa de las Américas don't even register as a whisper on the breeze out at the Royal Hideaway Corales Villas, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a delicious artisanal cocktail or two. Materia Elemental Bar is the place to go for a sophisticated, well-balanced drink, situated on a terrace that's nothing short of blissful at sunset. Classic recipes are reimagined here with a modern twist, all based around the four elements – earth, water, fire and air – and crafted entirely with Canarian products. Head bartender Yonathan Mesa is Spain's Cocktail Champion 2023, so I know I'm in good hands as I sip on an earthy, beetroot take on my favourite classic cocktail, the Negroni. This is a real cocktail-lovers bar, with short, strong drinks – though those who prefer a non-alcoholic tipple are certainly not left out, with a personal favourite booze-free cocktail being a Seedlip Grove alcohol-free spirit with honey, strawberries and grapefruit served in a sleek coupe glass. For anyone looking to sample local living in Tenerife, the hotel runs shuttle buses to nearby fishing village La Caleta, where visitors can enjoy the rocky beaches and turquoise water, boat excursions, and a tranquil amble through the streets. Far from the busy beaches and boisterous bars that have made this Canarian island so popular in the past, the Royal Hideaway Corales Villas is a destination not to be missed: a dream escape where you really can leave the world behind. How to plan your trip
