Luxuriously furnished surrounded by lush gardens, Hotel Botánico & The Oriental Spa Garden is a most charming hotel.
The first 5-star luxury hotel in the Canaries, the Botánico, is a lush sanctuary set in tropical gardens with an exotic spa. This is an elegant, relaxed and welcoming hotel, with charming staff and a traditional ambience.
Classic decor is combined with Thai-inspired artefacts and modern Canarian and Spanish artworks from the owner’s private collection. The four restaurants cater for all tastes, from full-blown Thai in sophisticated surroundings to a light bite beside the pool. The majority of guest rooms overlook either the gardens, the Atlantic Ocean or the distant Mount Teide.
Away from the mass tourism of Tenerife, the hotel lies opposite the beautiful Botanical Gardens in a residential area of Puerto de la Cruz. It is just over a mile up from the sea and the centre of the resort and has its own garden of lofty palms, lush lawns, tropical plants and a pond with koi carp and black swans.
Who for:
For those seeking to be pampered in a de luxe, tropical setting.
Accommodation
The hotel has 252 plush-carpeted guest rooms, all with furnished terraces or balconies and equipped with high-speed Wifi, Samsung Smart TV and USB ports so adaptors are not needed.
Room service is available and meals (however simple) are presented elegantly on tables dressed with starched white tablecloths and fresh flowers from the garden. Spacious penthouse suites are located on the 5th floor and some come with a jacuzzi, double luxury rooms and huge terraces.
Food and drink
The first-class Food Market buffet breakfast overlooking the pool and garden will set you up for the whole day, alternatively, you can have continental breakfast in bed. There is also a buffet option here for dinner with alfresco dining in summer.
The smart Oriental Restaurant which was opened by Queen Sirikit of Thailand serves high-end Thai dishes (evenings only), Il Pappagallo offers Mediterranean fare and the Palmera Real serves light lunches and aperitifs by the main swimming pool. Those looking to lose a kilo or two might also contemplate The Slim, a health and weight-loss-focused restaurant which can be used in connection with the hotel’s Slim & Wellness programme.
Regarding the restaurants, check availability in advance as not all the restaurants are open all year.
Facilities
The hotel’s Oriental Spa Garden has been voted one of the best in Europe. Numerous treatments include Far Eastern rituals to holistic wellness experiences, and customised health and beauty programmes.
There is a beautiful outdoor pool surrounded by palm trees and gardens, a Thai pagoda for Oriental massages in the open air, an indoor pool and 20 rooms for treatments. Programmes of varying duration include Pain Relief, Anti-stress, Beauty, Weight Loss, Ayurveda Massage and Detox.
For swimming pools, you are spoilt for choice and they are all heated. As well as the outdoor and indoor spa pools there is the attractive main hotel pool, with red parasols, comfortable loungers and pool attendants providing towels (you can go down to the pool in the bathrobes from the hotel room).
There are two floodlit tennis courts (plus occasional tennis classes), a putting green with 18 holes, a gym, a billiard room and a piano lounge. Daily activities are on offer, from yoga and pilates to Canarian cheese -tasting and Bonsai workshops.
How much?
Doubles from £213 per night.
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What’s Nearby?
Close to the hotel is the Jardín Botánico, an historic botanic garden with around 3000 species of
tropical and sub-tropical plants. Loro Parque, a huge wildlife park with the world's largest collection
of parrots, lies 4km (2.5 miles) from the hotel. Popular excursions from the hotel include Mt Teide
by day or night. For the active there are nearby opportunities for surfing, tandem paragliding, scuba
diving and hiking.
VERDICT: Hotel Botánico & The Oriental Spa Garden is a charming traditional hotel with gorgeous gardens and spa.
