Romantic breaks to start the new term

Start September with sufficient energy to cope with a month which brings new challenges, tasks and adjustments, such as a new school term, return to work after the holidays, the end of summer, the first signs that winter is on its way, the routine, people still on holiday, and a list of good resolutions...... For this reason it is one of the best moments of the year to book a long weekend away from everything.  Say goodbye to the family, the children, the buying of school supplies, the bills and the office, and give yourself a present of a relaxing romantic break to any destination where the beach, mountains and good weather will help you live summer a little longer.

Without a doubt, travelling with a partner is much simpler than travelling with children but it is also true that if you wish everything to turn out perfectly you need to plan some details inbeach advance.  The destination is fundamental because it should be a place that inspires tranquillity, serenity and placidity and at the same time, offers a variety of things to do and enjoy.

The coastal areas are the most popular because they have the advantage of beaches, which is always appealing particularly at the end of summer.  However, there is a clear tendency to design a romantic break around a selected hotel.  Accommodation for adults only in places such as Lanzarote, the beach resorts in Tenerife, that remind you of the Caribbean or the spa hotels of the Playa de Palma, are versatile options that have created a range of proposals, plans and

special activities to enjoy with your partner.

New ways of travelling, new hotels or vice versa because in these cases you do not know what came first the chicken or the egg.  Many travellers have learnt to enjoy their journeys with their partners since the hotel sector designed this new packages and have created the new necessity to

"escape together to enjoy the delights of a luxury hotel in Tenerife", others, those who are more to the forefront, have already insisted on this type of experiences and are now beginning to demand more, better equipped hotels, integrated services, economical tariffs and more flexibility with dates.

In order to terminate well this summer 2014 we have extracted from our list of destinations and hotels for romantic breaks, a small selection of the most interesting for price, location and service.

The magic of Cala Barca

Majorca is always an excellent place to come with a partner.  On this occasion we suggest a romantic break to a small bay, a place with beauty and tranquillity.  You can stay at a hotel in Cala Barca, right next to the beach, which offers all types of services.  During the high season it is ideal for children but in September it changes to looking after guests travelling alone and couples who are looking for the calm of the Mediterranean.  Recently renovated, highlighted is the Chill Out area and the Sea Soul Club Cala Barca, where you can enjoy a delicious cocktail and the best ambience.

Cala Ratjada

A Mediterranean village located on the east coast of Majorca where you can find everything you need and can enjoy the gastronomic delights from the sea and local farms.  Bays with sparkling turquoise water and fine, golden sand plus an extensive offer of restaurants, bars and excursions especially for visitors are the principal attractions.  Combined are tranquillity and night life in a

perfect measure.  Being a touristic village there are great opportunities for low cost accommodation.  In this respect a good option is to choose an hotel all inclusive in Cala Ratjada situated in the village which enables you to move around the area freely without complications.  Also a good alternative are apartotels on the beach at Cala Agulla, the most representative of the area or the hotel accommodation available near to the port and promenade.

Costa Adeje

One of the most romantic areas in the Canary Islands you will find in Costa Adeje, where you can enjoy hotels with Jacuzzi in Tenerife at a very competitive price and in a first class environment.

The break with your partner to this touristic destination opens up a thousand possibilities for enjoyment both for body and mind, whether you are travelling with the family, friends or alone. It is a good idea, because of the extensive offer, to organise the days and activities in advance so that you have time to take advantage of everything that is worth while. An indispensable luxury: find a gourmet restaurant and savour some of the typical dishes of Tenerife during a romantic evening by the sea.

Jandia

Jandia beach is one of our favourite destinations for a romantic getaway.  If you book a comfortable spa hotel in Fuerteventura at the edge of the incredible Matorral beach, you will discover, truthfully, the pleasure of disconnecting completely and reuniting with nature.  Also this area is near to the lively village of Morro Jable, one of the most picturesque on Fuerteventura, where the typical sea food gastronomy Is one of the principal attractions.  Walk along the sea front, visit the lighthouse, go shopping, hiking or swim from the spectacular Cofete beach on the other side of the Pajara mountains..........simply irresistible.

Lanzarote

We never tire of repeating that the romantic island par excellence in Spain is Lanzarote.   La Graciosa, Puerto del Carmen, Papagayo.... The entire coast is a feast for the eyes and the spirit.

For accommodation the best is an adults only hotel in Corralejo, or some apartments all inclusive in Lanzarote, in the area of Yaiza and Playa Blanca.  Visit the volcanos, deserts,  beaches, try the traditional dishes and their excellent local wines with their certificate of authenticity, or have a night out at a local fiesta in Arrecife.  There will lots to surprise and enjoy every day.

Apartments and aparhotel for you to boast of holidays

If you are thinking in a relaxing and intimate holiday you might be searching a 5-star hotel in Palma de Majorca or Marbella: sun and beach guaranteed, maximum comfort, first class services... And of course, luxury prices. The apartments and aparthotels you can find in the main tourist centres of Spain are an interesting alternative if you are travelling for one week or more. Apart from being a guaranty of intimacy and independence, they offer you design spaces and services similar to the ones offered by a hotel.

From apartment hotels in Benidorm to apartment resorts in Majorca, Marbella, the Canary Islands or the luxury villas in Minorca. These holiday resorts have improved throughout the years, incorporating all type of attentions only the classic hotels used to offer. Booking now some bungalows in Lanzarote or an apartment in Alcudia bay will allow you to enjoy the best of a resort with the independency of an apartment.

Apartamentos Garden Marinda Village

Far away from the schedules of an All Inclusive or a half board plan hotel, all these aparthotels in Benidorm, the Canary Islands or Majorca combine the advantages of the freedom of schedules with a restaurant in the resort at the service of guests. These restaurants offer service at dinner and an extra of attention: they are normally theme or buffet restaurants with show cooking or gourmet specialties, varied menus or even special menus for children.

The most complete apartment resorts of the national panorama also feature common areas which include from mini golf to playgrounds, swimming pools for adults and children, solarium areas and Chill out bars at the foot of the beach, where to live an unforgettable experience. The most exclusive apartment resorts are normally part of a larger resort with a hotel and an apartment area but with shared services like a spa or sports facilities: tennis, padel, golf or even parking for bikes.

The apartments that offer special services for children are also very demanded. Families, together with groups of friends, usually choose this type of accommodation, as there you can find triple, quadruple or even sextuple rooms. Besides, some of these accommodations have special apartments for families on the ground floor with access to a small private garden communicated with the swimming pool and the rest of areas of the resort: reception, playgrounds, sports area, beach...

The price is another of the advantages of an apartment or an apartotel: they have normally heaper price than the hotels with the same location and board, so they are preferred by those on a long-term holiday (more than a week) or by groups, as it is easier to get a budget booking an apartment on the north of Majorca than in a hotel in the centre of Palma. Nevertheless, it is obvious that the last one has advantages over the first one –of location and leisure offer- that make them incomparable.  

However, you might enjoy the same versatility (or even greater) booking an apartment and a car in areas like the Canary Islands or Majorca than staying in a room in the centre of Palma or in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, for example. And without losing the advantage of the price.

What is a boutique hotel?

They became fashionable in the 90s. They arrived directly from New York, where they had started to be famous a decade before, in the 80s, although it took long to crystallize the idea. In the European continent hotel boutiques conquered the capitals until they became cult places visited by the most exquisite travellers. Although boutique hotels seem to be of recent creation, they have a large history during which they have left representative gems like the Posada del Peine, one of the oldest hotels in Spain, located near the Plaza Mayor square of the capital.

Boutique hotels, despite being part of large hotel chains, stand out for being unique spaces full of character and with a unique identity which combines architecture, indoor design, decoration, services and the best personalised attention.

The small details are the hallmark of this type of urban hotels we can find in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, or even in medium cities like Bilbao, where we find a boutique hotel in front of the Arriaga Theatre, between Bilbao’s old town and the Ensanche area. Another hotel of this category which has become a meeting point in the local society is the Mencey hotel, a 5-star hotel in Santa Cruz de Tenerife considered one of the architectural gems of the city (and declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity), but which cannot be included in the boutique hotel category due to its size.

And this is one of the features boutique hotels must have: they are hotels of a few rooms (no more than 100), which enables hoteliers to offer a personalised attention. These hotels must have the adequate size for the charming and intimate atmosphere that characterises these establishments.

The atmosphere is another of the essential elements of boutique hotels. An elegant and quiet atmosphere with a combination of classic and modern touches, which creates a sensation of exclusivity and peace for the most demanding guests. Contrary to the bustling atmosphere of the family resorts of Tenerife, Lanzarote or Majorca (just to mention some of the most representative beach destinations), boutique hotels are relax temples where jazz, classical music, chill out sounds and silence prevail.

In fact, in these destinations we also find first class boutique hotels specially designed for couples looking for sophistication and calmness during their holidays. Thus, together with the traditional All Inclusive beach hotels of Majorca we find some small boutique hotels on Santa Ponsa bay, in Illetas, and some new incorporations in Palma’s city centre.

The boutique hotel is normally located in the centre of cities and of large European capitals, such as some of the luxury hotels of Budapest or the hotels in the centre of Hamburg. Although these establishments have also adapted to other locations, the best boutique hotels in Spain are the accommodations in the centre of Madrid, Valencia or Barcelona.

Regarding their public, these hotels are devised for medium-high class tourists with refined tastes who travel for business, on their own or with their couple and who look for a minimum of a 4-star service. Adults Only Hotels, hotels for seniors … However, other hotels can be included in the category of family hotels and hotels for groups of friends.

Basic features of a good boutique hotel:

-       Unique and surprising character and style

-       Elegant, quiet and sophisticated atmosphere

-       4 and 5 star service

-       Small size: not more than 100 rooms

-       Well-cared indoor design and architecture. Even with well-known works of art

-       Attention to small details

-       Personalised attention.