Tenerife is undergoing a significant transformation, moving away from its reputation as a budget destination for package holidaymakers and re-embracing its past as a luxurious getaway. The island, once a favored haunt of European royalty and aristocracy, is seeing a resurgence of high-end hotels, gourmet dining establishments, and classical music festivals.
Central to this revival is the reopening of the Gran Hotel Taoro in Puerto de la Cruz, after a 50-year closure and a £44 million restoration. Originally opened in 1890 and considered one of Spain's first luxury hotels, it hosted luminaries like Dame Agatha Christie in 1927. The refurbished hotel now boasts a minimalist design, a high-quality spa, and two Michelin-starred restaurants: Oka by Ricardo Sanz, featuring Japanese-Mediterranean cuisine, and Lava by Erlantz Gorostiza, offering local specialties.
Dame Agatha Christie found inspiration at the Gran Hotel Taoro, writing "The Man From The Sea" and reportedly conceiving parts of "The Mystery Of The Blue Train" during her stay. The hotel now plans to honor her memory with a reading room dedicated to her works.
Another notable establishment, the Hotel Botanico, also located on the north coast, has long been an elegant setting, attracting guests such as Bill Clinton and Michael Jackson. It serves as the venue for a renowned classical music festival, featuring nightly chamber concerts organized by Kirker Holidays.
Beyond the hotels, the island's northern hinterland is being highlighted for its scenic beauty and historical charm. Towns like Icod de los Vinos, with its historic architecture and views of Mount Teide, offer a contrast to the southern coast's development. La Orotava showcases grand manor houses with stone coats of arms and intricately carved wooden balconies, remnants of Spanish noble families who settled there after the conquest of the indigenous Guanches. The Iglesia de la Concepcion and San Cristobal de La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Tenerife's first capital, further exemplify the island's rich architectural heritage.
Visitors can explore the mountainous interior, where mist-shrouded pine forests give way to breathtaking views above a 'sea of cloud' that blankets the base of Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak. The Mount Teide National Park and remote villages like Masca, perched precariously on a bluff surrounded by canyons, offer dramatic landscapes. The culinary scene also reflects this upscale shift, with traditional eateries called guachinches offering local delicacies alongside the refined dining experiences found in establishments like Oka.