Hotel Botanico & The Oriental Spa Garden, Tenerife

Location

Immersed in several hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens on a hill above Puerto de la Cruz, the Hotel Botanico & The Oriental Spa Garden enjoys a delightfully tranquil and scenic setting. Hidden among the luscious vegetation, you’ll find several winding pathways, bridges and a pond that’s home to black swans, turtles and koi carp. It exudes the ambience of a secluded, sub-tropical oasis that’s steeped in old-world charm – the perfect environment for a relaxing, stress-free escape. Should you fancy exploring beyond the grounds of the hotel, Plaza del Charco, the main square of Puerto de la Cruz, is around 10 minutes away by taxi or shuttle bus (for which there is a complimentary service for hotel guests), while there are several black sand beaches, including Playa del Castillo and Playa Maria Jimenez, also a short taxi ride away. It takes roughly an hour, meanwhile, to get here from the airport. 

Accommodation

Expect comfortable, well-sized rooms, many of which come with views of the Orotava Valley, Mount Teide or out towards the Atlantic Ocean in the distance. Spacious marble bathrooms, complimentary bathrobes and slippers, tea and coffee facilities and a smart TV come as standard, while you can customise your pillow selection from a menu. Double rooms start at deluxe and superior level, all of which come with a private furnished balcony or terrace, while ambassador, senator and penthouse suites are available for those seeking a truly elevated experience with plenty of additional living space, plush furnishings, original artwork and premium amenities. 

Dining

Culinary excellence is central to the Hotel Botanico experience. Mornings begin with a fresh and plentiful breakfast buffet, featuring an extensive choice of sweet and savoury dishes to set yourself up for the day, while the poolside Palmera Real restaurant is the primary venue for casual lunch dishes and light afternoon snacks. Later on, choose from an enticing trio of restaurants catering to a wide range of tastes: La Parrilla (authentic, locally sourced Spanish cuisine), Il Pappagallo (Italian classics), The Oriental (traditional Thai cuisine). The bar hall, meanwhile, offers a sophisticated yet laid-back setting for cocktails and live piano music in the evenings – and indeed, whatever you might fancy drinking during the day, whether it be an afternoon coffee or a glass of wine. 

Facilities

The true standout feature here is the The Oriental Spa Garden, whose superb wellness facilities rank among the finest you’ll find at any spa hotel in Europe. There’s everything from saunas and steam rooms to whirlpools and a Turkish bath – an environment built for soothing both mind and body. You can also indulge in an eclectic variety of wellness programmes, rituals and bespoke treatments delivered by expert therapists, including massages (traditional or hot stone), body wraps (aloe vera, seaweed or mineral-rich mud), Ayurvedic therapies, facials and yoga and meditation sessions. There’s also a fitness centre kitted out with plenty of weights and quality workout machines.

Wellness aside, there’s no shortage of ways to fill your time here, whether you’re in the mood to soak up the sunshine by the poolside, cool off with a refreshing dip, put your golf skills to the test on the putting green or enjoy a game or two of tennis at the on-site courts. And of course, there’s always time for some quiet contemplation and relaxation in the gardens.