Christmas in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

A special Christmas, that’s what everybody wants for their family and friends. The most importance of this time is to have enough time to celebrate it with family and friends. To celebrate a special Christmas, it is important to have an idea or theme to organize an authentic Christmas holiday.

Our suggestion, is to celebrate the Christmas holidays in a warm destination, where you can enjoy a few days of December on the beach, with a swim in the sea and sunbathe under the "winter" sun. Well, all this is possible in the Canary Islands, the preferred destination for many central European tourists at this time of year.

Usually, if you do not celebrate the holidays at home, we usually choose a destination that is more “Christmas” in spirit, as could be London or Berlin. A different alternative, that is gaining more an more followers is to celebrate Christmas in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. 

It is a unique destination with a pleasant climate, with extremely friendly people and first class services. There are different proposals for spending this time of year on the island, but a sure bet is  to choose a gastronomic hotel in Tenerife. The Iberostar Grand Hotel Mencey is, without doubts, the most well known in the Canary Islands.

Also, it has one of the best restaurants in Tenerife, the restaurant of Los Menceyes, with the Canarian chef Juan Carlos Clemente heading the kitchen. The hotel has in turn a Cookery Classroom where they hold weekly cooking classes, Master Classes with Michelin star chefs, events and presentations, private classes… The best advice is to check the hotel’s website or their Facebook page, to find out about their latest offers.

The hotel is preparing a very special Christmas dinner, with a menu created for the occasion with featured wines, live music and a bar service after dinner. For the 25th of December, the hotel is offering a delicious Christmas buffet, very Spanish.

Protected areas to visit in Fuerteventura

The Canary Islands with their spectacular variety of scenery is one of the Spanish territories where most protected areas are concentrated.  Both Lanzarote and Fuerteventura have been declared Biosphere Reserves due to the beauty of such marvelous places as Los Hervideros, the natural monument of the Tindaya mountain or the famous Corralejo sand dunes.

Fuerteventura has in total more than ten natural spaces specifically protected and through which we can travel from north to south and completely cover the whole island.

You can start from Wolfs' island which faces Lanzarote and the Natural Park of the Corralejo Sand Dunes as far as the Natural Park of Jandia, the largest of the island which covers almost the whole of the peninsula of the same name and is situated in the extreme south of Fuerteventura.

The southern area is traditionally a place for quiet tourism that fits perfectly with the natural environment where the hotels are situated.  Here you will find some of the best hotels in Fuerteventura such as the Iberostar Playa Gaviotas and the Playa Gaviotas Park, two of the most well maintained establishments that the Iberostar group have in the Canary Islands.  However, in the first phase that we are covering today, we start the journey in the well known Corralejo Park.

Corralejo as well as Jandia, is one of those places in Fuerteventura where the spectacular sand dunes have learnt to live with an excellent touristic infrastructure which highlights the level of hotels such as the Barcelo Corralejo Bay or the establishments of the Atlantis chain: Dunapark, the Grand Hotel Atlantis Bahia Real and the Suite Hotel Fuerteventura Resort, all of which are just a few meters from the Natural Park.

Belonging to the municipality of La Oliva, with a large network of trails, throughout the park, the area called Grandes Playas, the playa de Piedra Playa and monuments like the Church of Saint John the Baptist and others have been declared a Property of Cultural Interest.  These areas are interesting for those who wish to practice water sports and above all, hiking.

If we leave behind the Corralejo dunes and make our way more to the north of Fuerteventura and continue to the interior of the island we will find one of the most beautiful natural monuments of Fuerteventura, the Volcan de la Arena.

Situated just between Villaverde, La Oliva and Lajares, the landscape is volcanic with its own vegetation and characteristics (Malpais). You are allowed to climb to the top of the volcano (420 meters high) and it is well worth the journey and in particular the views you will contemplate from the top: the whole of the northern coast of Fuerteventura including Lanzarote.

Best Beach Hotels in Es Canar

Today we travel to Ibiza to make a short review of the best accommodations that currently exist in the area of ​​Es Canar, not only on the beach itself of Es Canar, but in the coves around it, where you can enjoy the charm of Ibiza with less people and with services equally good.

Famous for its hippie market, held in Punta Arab, and being quite a family destination, with coves with crystal clear waters and first class restaurants, Es Canar is a reference for the rest of the world with respect to beach hotels. Although many hotels offer the same as years before, the majority have committed to modernising the hotel and provide specialised services for the different segments that visit Ibiza every year to enjoy the Mediterranean.

Traveling with Kids

One of our favourites, if traveling with children, is the emblematic Fiesta Cala Nova, a family hotel in Cala Nova, a beautiful quiet beach only 1 km from Es Canar, valued for the quality of its waters, fine sand and the camping area in the area. The hotel is the only one on the beach frontline, perfectly integrated in this area with a relaxed atmosphere and hardly any constructions. It stands out for its mini club and Junior Club (until 14 years of age), swimming pools with water games, transfer to the airport and a buffet with interesting night themes.

Between Es Canar and Ses Pedrisses, we find another of the recommended hotels for children in Ibiza, on the coast of Santa Eularia des Riu, the hotel Intertur Miami Ibiza. Located on the beach frontline and it includes mini club, children’s swimming pool and a very complete all-inclusive service. It stands out for its international atmosphere and the personalised service.

For couples’ escapades

Although not strictly on the beach of Es Canar, just between this beach and the relaxing Cala Martina, this hotel for adults only, part of the hotel chain Fergus Hotels, deserves a special mention as they have managed to create a perfect space for those travelling to Ibiza as a couple. Romantic, but without losing the comfort that beach hotels offer in Ibiza, the Fergus Paraiso Beach stands out for its personalised attention, its complete common areas and the garden that surrounds it. It offers an all-inclusive service, without surprises.

Finally, very close to the previous, a few meters from the beach of Es Canar and the area of Punta Arabi where every Wednesday the famous hippy market is held, we find the Marina Panorama, a classic hotel for couples escapade to Ibiza. It is a hotel with a careful design, with typical services of a beach resort but specialised in adult clients, that include relaxation areas, fully equipped solarium areas, swimming pools, outdoor Jacuzzi... It stands out for its price extremely competitive for the area.

Confortel Islantilla Hotel: the origins of a destination

Today's story has a unique protagonist, the Confortel Islantilla hotel, a hotel in Huelva, in the heart of the Costa de la Luz, which was the beginning of one of the luxury destinations most important in the province of Andalusia, the community of municipalities of Islantilla.

This sun and beach holiday accommodation of the hotel chain Confortel Hotels is one of the great classics of the coast of Huelva, a high standard 4 star hotel that has helped shape the area around it. The hotel was completed in 1992 on the beach frontline, from where it overlooks this exclusive destination next to a 27 holes golf course and a large shopping centre.

Islantilla, is a luxury beach destination, awarded the European Blue Flag for the quality of its services and the waters off the coast. Its territory is divided between the municipalities that saw it grow, Lepe and Isla Cristina.

The hotel is the core of a renewal spirit that was successfully implemented in an area where the rain and sea prevented it from farming and, at present, it stretches between two unique natural spaces in the Golf of Cadiz, the marshlands of Isla Cristina and Rio Piedras and La Flecha del Rompido, an exclusive area where 3,000 people reside throughout the year.

The Confortel Islantilla is a symbol for this area and, at the same time, it is one of the jewels of the hotel chain that also has urban hotels in Madrid, like the Atrium Hotel near Barajas, and in Barcelona, as well as in other Spanish capitals from the likes of Seville and Valencia.

With a privileged location in the centre of Islantilla and facing the beach, the hotel offers quality services that differentiate it from other hotels, in terms of service and quality: free WiFi, well looked after gardens that surround the property, large outdoor swimming pool, spa, gym, paddle court, tennis, restaurant... and all kinds of special features for those travelling with children.

The design of the rooms is one of its key points: spacious areas with soft and functional lines, light colours, large windows and high quality furniture. They are designed for all types of guests, from couples traveling alone to those searching for a holiday destination for the whole family. It also offers rooms adapted for disabled people and special amenities.

Key points of the Confortel Islantilla hotel:

• Free Wi-Fi.

• Spa area.

• An emblematic hotel in Islantilla.

Trio of hotels in Tenerife: Grand Hotel El Mirador (II)

Many refer to it as the great hotel in Costa Adeje. Others consider it the best lover’s nest on the island and the majority agree that it is the most recommendable resort in Playa del Duque, a place where to get lost between luxuries and gardens of Arab influences, and restore the peace and wellbeing of body and soul.

The Grand Hotel El Mirador is one of the vertices of our triangle of hotel aces, on the island of Tenerife, which we have discussed on other occasions, next to the emblematic Grand Hotel Mencey and the famous Grand Hotel Salome, integrated into the resort of the Iberostar Anthelia hotel.

El Mirador occupies a total surface of 22,000 m², designed to elevate the finest feelings and sensations of peace and wellbeing. Strolling through the beautiful gardens is an experience worth enjoying, especially if traveling as a couple, as well as lying in the sun next to the large central swimming pool, or diving into the relaxation that its spa centre in Costa Adeje offers...

One of the most interesting advantages of this great luxury hotel in Costa Adeje is, in our view, that it has been designed following the adults only hotel concept. The program of activities and the decoration as well as the essence of its spaces, are orientated to adults that search quality and design, thought to meet the most demanding whims of those guests that travel looking for the calmness that is so difficult to find nowadays in luxury hotels designed for the whole family.

Far away from everything, surrounded by nature and lush vegetation from all over the world, the calm prevails all over its premises. This experience is complemented with its exclusive services, like their elegant suites or the VIP area, where to let yourself go in a select ambience available throughout the year at this resort in Playa del Duque.

The gastronomy is, as in the Mencey, one of its key elements: the best finishing touch to a dish that suits all tastes. Of all its restaurants, terraces and bars we choose the gourmet restaurant El Cenador, a first class gastronomic space in Costa Adeje, where they combine a creative cuisine with traditional Canarian gastronomy. 

Its  surroundings an the 5 star gastronomic service has made it one  of the most prestigious hotels for weddings and events in Tenerife. To the extend that it is necessary to book well in advance to obtain a the desired date. The resort, also has a team that coordinates weddings and events to facilitate all the paperwork and can be contacted directly via email:  starmeetings@iberostar.com

Other Grand hotels in Tenerife:

· The iconic Grand Hotel Mencey. 

· Luxury has a woman's name: Grand Hotel Salomé

Trio of hotels in Tenerife : Grand Hotel Mencey (I)

The island of Tenerife is the largest of all the islands that make up the Canary Islands and the most visited by national and foreign tourists. As a result, its hotel offer is considered as a reference worldwide, especially for the high quality of some of its beach resorts and 5 star city hotels. Among them, there are 3 hotels that belong to the hotel chain Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, that stand out above the others: the Grand Hotel El Mirador, the Grand Hotel Salomé and historical Grand Hotel Mencey.

This trio of great hotels in Tenerife offers a unique group of high level services focused on a high quality tourist segment of medium-high purchasing power, that tend to revitalise mature and traditionally overcrowded destinations such as the Canary Islands.

If we review in detail, you can see noticeable differences between them, as their holiday proposals and experiences for guests are different.

In this sense, the Grand Hotel Mencey is, out of the 3, the most charming for those looking for a trip to the authentic historic Tenerife, the magical soul of Santa Cruz, its people, to its past and its future. This 5 star hotel in Santa Cruz de Tenerife has been declared a Cultural Heritage building, as it has been designed over the base of one of the oldest and most relevant hotels in Spain, an accommodation with a colonial style, inspired but the culture of the city that embraces it.

Opened in 1950, with a philosophy based on finesse, elegance, art and distinction. Gradually, it becomes a symbol within the city, a meeting point for all those personalities that visited the island and wanted to be a part of the urban culture in Santa Cruz during the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.

Always innovative and with a forward looking spirit, the Mencey sits on a solid foundation of traditional Canarian, a sign of its placid and charming character, and the splendour of its history.  Today, completely refurbished in 2011 and part of Iberostar’s Grand Collection, the hotel offers 261 rooms (compared to the 80 with which it opened in 1950) which combines the historical decoration of the hotel with modern elements that multiply the comfort and charm of each of its spaces. 

Also, in its renovation, the hotel has added a unique spa and wellness centre in Tenerife. It has 2,000 m² of hydromassage circuits that, in addition to the other sports facilities of the hotel, represent a space designed to create a space dedicated to well being and sport of over 5,000 m². All of this in the heart of the capital of Tenerife.

Apart from the SPA Sensations, the new Grand Hotel Mencey keeps a very special secret: its kitchen. Recognised internationally as one of the leading gastronomic hotels in Tenerife, the Mencey provides its clients, residents and visitors of Santa Cruz, and cooking classroom where to enjoy learning and cooking some of the most authentic dishes of the Canarian gastronomy, with innovative touches that will surprise you. Managed by a complete team of chefs of the highest standards, the cookery classroom has as a reference one of the best restaurants in Tenerife, Los Menceyes.

The Cookery Classroom of El Mencey has, and continues to, travel the world, taking the gastronomy of the Canary Islands beyond its borders and leading it to the highest culinary levels of international standards.

This space, full of flavour integrates perfectly with the philosophy of this great hotel in Tenerife that, despite all the years,  continues to work everyday to maintain the those quality standards and prestige that gave it the fame that precedes it.

An effort that is also reflected in the careful and personalised attention that its select staff professes to all guests. Without exaggerating,, it is truly a luxurious space in the middle of a historic city.

Other Grand hotels in Tenerife:

· Grand Hotel El Mirador, the garden of Costa Adeje.

· Luxury has a woman's name: Grand Hotel Salome

Trio of hotels in Tenerife: Grand Hotel Salomé (III)

Luxury in Costa Adeje has a woman's name, the Grand Hotel Salome. This is the third Grand hotel in Tenerife that closes the trio of luxury accommodations in this beautiful island of the Canary’s. A boutique hotel located between Playa del Duque and Playa Fañabe, specifically designed for romantic getaways, honeymoons and special celebrations.

They say that the Grand Hotel Salome is a place of inspiration, calmness and quietness, an exclusive luxury oasis among the vastness of one of the most representative tourist areas of Tenerife, the famous coast of Adeje. In our opinion, what is said of this hotel is completely true and those that visit it for the first time realise it upon arrival. It is enough to look at the architecture and design of the resort, with colonial influences, located in a privileged environment and surrounded by sea and gardens, with a tropical inspiration.

The large outdoor swimming pool, with salt water from the Atlantic Ocean, will surprise you. With a surface of over 2,000 m², views to the sea and dotted with Balinese beds, hammocks, parasols and all kinds of details created to enhance the atmosphere of infinite calmness that this environment offers. Viewing it at night is a quite a spectacle.

The spa centre in Playa Fañabe is very popular among locals and visitors, as it has over 600 m² of space dedicated to beauty and the well being of body and mind, with unique therapies inspired by Asian techniques that are highly valued and recognised worldwide. Its excellent location, in the heart of Costa Adeje, makes it even more special.

Another advantage of its location, is the proximity to the various attractions of the south of Tenerife, perfect to plan trips, visits and tours, and enjoy the charms of the island, inside and outside of the hotel.

The gastronomy is a key element, as is usual in Iberostar’s Grand hotels, which aims to offer a point of distinction to all guests at any time of day. We would rate the gourmet breakfast with a 10, that is served daily at the resort and that has nothing to envy to those luxurious Parisian breakfasts, with fine pastry and delicate cold and hot dishes.

But, if we have to choose one of its restaurants in Costa Adeje, we would choose the restaurant Poseidon. A unique gourmet restaurant in Tenerife, based on Mediterranean cuisine with top quality products and a menu specially designed for romantic dinners.

The delicacy of its gastronomy is also present in its spectacular event service that the Grand Hotel Salome offers, and that, together with El Mirador, has led it to be one of the best hotels for weddings in the Canary islands. The team that coordinates weddings and banquets is managed by the administration team if the Iberostar Anthelia, an accommodation that is dependent of this boutique hotel in Costa Adeje. 

The contact email is anthelia.eventos@iberostar.com . You will need to book in advance in order to obtain the desired dates. Demand is very high, especially in the spring and autumn.

Other Grand hotels in Tenerife:

· The iconic Grand Hotel Mencey. 

· Grand Hotel El Mirador, the garden of Costa Adeje. 

Nature and golf in Tenerife at the Sandos San Blas resort

We continue our posts by reviewing the latest news of the hotel chain Sandos, one of the most prestigious hotel chains in Spain and Mexico. Todays review is dedicated to a hotel in the south of Tenerife, the Sandos San Blas Nature Resort & Golf hotel.

Located between Los Cristianos, San Miguel de Abona and El Medano, it is an accommodation built around an innovative concept that is closely linked with the essence of the island: an ecological resort in which to enjoy the natural surroundings that Tenerife has to offer, especially the Nature Reserve of San Blas, (near which sits the resort) and live outdoor experiences in direct contact with nature.

The decoration stands out for its soft colours and inspired by the landscape surrounding the resort, located in the area known as Golf del Sur: greens, yellows, browns and orange colours... The rooms are each a unique space with a well looked after design.

Another advantage, is its excellent gourmet cuisine, with a restaurant where you can enjoy an international buffet and try local dishes. You can not forget their cocktails. They have 4 different bars and spectacular views of the area, as it is on the beach frontline.

However, what makes this hotel something truly different is its "Eco Experience" service, that allows all the guests the possibility of making excursions, workshops and even a complete tour of the Nature Reserve of San Blas, with river tours on typical water rafts, and an Eco Club that collaborates with local institutions in favour of the conservation of the local environment.

With respect to the services, it is a hotel in line with what Sandos hotels offer: free wifi, full spa, golf - with access to 2 golf courses next door - , kid’s club, climbing, live music, tours, beach, infinity pools... A luxury hotel in the south of Tenerife.

The keys points:

· The Eco Experiences: A different way to enjoy Tenerife.

· Free Wifi access throughout the hotel.

· Spa with sauna, Jacuzzi, beauty centre, treatments ...

· Ideal for traveling with children

Grand Palladium Palace Ibiza: The flag hotel of Fiesta Hotels in Playa d’en Bossa

Todays’s hotel review is dedicated to a classic hotel in Ibiza, one of those iconic hotels that, despite time, it has managed to maintain and renovate itself like no other. The Grand Palladium Palace Ibiza is still the main hotel of Fiesta Group at the famous beach of Playa d’en Bossa.

As well as its design and its location, in the quieter area of Playa d'en Bossa, the Grand Palladium Palace hotel stands out as one the few family hotels in Ibiza, with innovative and exclusive services for children and adults: spa, massage rooms and beauty treatments, gym, babysitter, children’s playground, video arcade, swimming pool’s with water attractions...

Weddings in Ibiza

The decoration is simple, functional and classic, where the materials play a key role, the light and the marvellous natural environment where it is located. Although there are spaces that maintain a sober style (as is the case of the meeting rooms or rooms), the majority of the common spaces have that fresh and relaxing touch, that fits so well to the island of Ibiza.

Among its services, there is one that particularly stands out for its quality and innovation. The service of organising business events and private celebrations (weddings, baptisms, anniversaries... ). The facilities that are provide for this type of events and meetings are exceptional, with the beautiful coast of Ibiza as background and one of the most competent team of professionals on the island. A good choice considering you book well in advance.

Grand Palladium Palace Ibiza Hotel

Like many of today’s hotels and for just over a month, it is offering direct sales through its official website Grand Palladium Palace Ibiza, with special offers and packages.

The key points of the hotel:

• Hotel for traveling with children to Ibiza.

• Spa and massage rooms.

• Car Park in the hotel.

• Transfer to the airport (extra cost).

Where to eat in Tenerife

The island of Santa Cruz de Tenerife offers endless dining options , both to enjoy authentic Canarian food as to be surprised with the cuisine of the most prominent chefs in the Canary Islands . Being a tourist destination also has a wide range of restaurants of all kinds and prices.

Definitely, one of the best restaurants in Tenerife is the restaurant of Los Menceyes. It is one of the 3 restaurants that are part of the hotel Iberostar Grand Mencey spectacular, the reference for gastronomic hotels on the islands.

Despite the rise of acceptance worldwide in Spanish cuisine, and the increasing prestige of Spanish chefs, the Canary Islands have not experienced this success. There are few fine dinning restaurants in Tenerife, although the important is that, specially in this case, it is quality before quantity.

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts’s commitment to offer the highest quality services also feeds a growing  demand for this type of cuisine, which many experts consider that it has been neglected and abused in favour of other sectors and industries.

The truth is that, both Tenerife and the other Canary Islands have a rich and varied cuisine influenced by Spanish, African, and Latin America, with excellent raw materials but a serious lack of recognition.

The chef Juan Carlos Clemente, born in the Canaries and passionate about Canarian food, is committed to local cuisine and, at the same time, reinterprets family and traditional recipes with which he grew up. As Executive Chef of the hotel, he is responsible for the 3 restaurants and 3 bars the hotel has, and at the same time leads Mencey’s Cookery Classroom, a unique space where there are cooking courses, gastronomic cycles and conferences, and all types of events and celebrations on the island.

SANDOS CANCUN, a boutique hotel in the Caribbean

Holidays in the Caribbean are much more than sun and beach. In recent years, a number of hotels and resorts have opted for a more specific offer, designed for a modern audience that travels not only to relax and have fun but to learn , to discover and tour the secret corners of the New World.

Among them, one of the best known is the Sandos Cancun Hotel, a boutique hotel in Cancun with all inclusive: gourmet cuisine, views to the warm, white sand beaches, and all the charm of the Mexican culture, reflected on every detail of the resort. The hotel offers rooms steps away from the Nichupte Lagoon, one of the best spa’s in Cancun, bars, restaurants and full sports facilities. 

To all this, you can add a wide range of leisure activities outside the resort’s areas, including water sports such as diving, windsurfing or sailing, kayaking routes, golf and, of course, excursions to the main points of interest in this area of ​​the state of Quintana Roo: Chichen Itza, the Mayan ruins of Tulum, Puerto Morelos, El Rey, Isla Mujeres, Cabo Catoche, Punta Allen, Holbox ...

The Sandos Cancun is a hotel facing the Nichupte lagoon and, although it is on a large boulevard surrounded by beaches and nature, it has all the services close by, and a very special advantage. It is one step away from Cancun International Airport and the centre of this famous villa of the Mexican coast.

Rated by users as one of the most interesting, in terms of value for money, it is a recommended hotel for a couple’s escapade, honeymoons or even trips with friends, due to its  perfect location, in an area full of entertainment and excellent beaches, and its special services for adults that include a spa, infinity pools and modern suites with views to the Nichupte Lagoon.

The main points:

• Its cuisine. It is one of the best hotels to enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine, from the most traditional to the most famous, and including haute cuisine.

• The concept of Luxury Experience Resort. With all kinds of details, this hotel offers a different way to enjoy the Caribbean.

- Its large spa centre. One of the best in Cancun, a fitness centre and luxurious treatments.

Benidorm, looking into the Mediterranean

Neither the city nor the hotels in Benidorm hide their party spirit. Pleasant by nature, you're guaranteed fun and entertainment in a city with a tourism component that's impossible to conceal. Hotel deals in Benidorm encourage visitors to get to know this 'sun and beach' destination.

Benidorm looks into the Mediterranean, which is always present in everything it has to offer. The sea is the main asset of a city whose beach, nightlife and leisure activities form a large part of its interest. The accommodation in Benidorm is perfect for enjoying this special, one-of-a-kind place.

Benidorm is part of the Community of Valencia, which has under seen many changes in infrastructure over the last decade. The improvement in roads, airports, trains, hospitals and other services required for a first class destination.

A city of contrasts, Benidorm gives up the rigour of the seasons. Surrounded by the many skyscrapers that fill the horizon, you can get into a summer sate of mind in Benidorm before summer itself arrives.

Bars, nightclubs, shops, the marina and beaches such as Postiguet, Levante, Poniente and Mal Pas form part of each trip's activities. Book a hotel in Benidorm to find out where the real charm of this true holiday city is to be found.

Undoubtedly, Benidorm is known for its nightlife and party scene, but this is only limited to an area of the city while the rest of the destination is very popular with families with children