Inside Royal Hideaway Corales Beach: A Luxury Adults-Only Escape in Tenerife
Rising from the Atlantic like a sculpted masterpiece, Tenerife is an island shaped by fire and softened by life. Its dramatic volcanic landscapes – anchored by the mighty Mount Teide unfold into lava fields, lush laurel forests, and black-sand coastlines, creating one of Europe’s most striking natural settings.
As our aircraft begins its descent, the window frames a moment of grandeur – Mount Teide, snow-cloaked and imposing. It’s an unexpected sight, and the first of many small revelations that unfold over the course of our Canarian island escape.
Our home for the stay lies just twenty minutes from the airport, yet feels worlds away. We’re staying at Royal Hideaway Corales Beach, set in the island’s sun-kissed south, gazing down towards the charming fishing village of La Caleta. Our suite sits within the resort’s exclusive adults-only wing, a serene enclave within a hotel that is as architecturally striking as it is stylish. Designed by renowned Tenerife architect Leonardo Omar in the shape of a boat, the building feels poised to sail straight into the Atlantic. And what a suite awaits us.
We step into a light-filled, contemporary sanctuary, where a giant bed anchors the space, flanked by an inviting seating and completed by a sumptuous bathroom with free-standing bath and expansive walk-in shower. But it’s the terrace that truly steals the show. Vast and sun-drenched, it offers sweeping views over the hotel pool below, across the rooftops of La Caleta and out to the infinite blues of the sea. It is here we spend many happy hours, reading, reflecting, basking in the warmth and surrendering to the quiet luxury of doing very little at all.
Though there’s plenty more to enjoy on-site. There’s a wellness spa rooted in the ancient principles of Indian Ayurvedic medicine, a fully equipped fitness studio, two Michelin-starred restaurants and a sleek rooftop bar that also houses one of the sparkling outdoor pools. Below, a second pool sits alongside NAO, the all-day dining restaurant, where buffet service is elevated to an art form.
The range is dazzling, with dishes prepared to order at a series of food stations. Breakfast is a particular highlight – silken slices of freshly carved jamon, an ever-changing selection of freshly pressed juices, an irresistible array of tropical fruits and a welcoming atmosphere that makes lingering inevitable. Just one more cafe con leche. A start to the day could not be more perfect.
Just a five-minute stroll from the hotel lies the village of La Caleta, a place that feels both charmingly preserved and blissfully unhurried. Pretty and refreshingly uncrowded, with a cluster of restaurants serving classic Canarian cuisine, a handful of laid-back bars with seemingly endless ocean views and a small selection of shops selling local products. A gentle wander along the shoreline, pausing to take in the scenery, is a pleasure in itself – made all the more so by stopping at one of the welcoming establishments along the way for a cold cerveza and a simple, perfectly cooked plate of prawns.
Venturing further afield, we begin to uncover the remarkable diversity of this endlessly fascinating island, which famously inspired Agatha Christie and where Horatio Nelson lost his arm.
Tenerife’s volcanic foundations have shaped an extraordinary ecosystem in which shifting microclimates nurture a rich and often surprising tapestry of life. Ancient endemic plants cling to lava-formed slopes, majestic dragon trees, towering Canarian pines and rolling banana plantations and orchid gardens punctuate the landscape. It’s wild, unique and breathtaking. And also home to other beautiful villages and towns like the bustling seaside resort of Puerta de la Cruz – so much more to discover than you’d imagine.
But no matter how far we roam, the sanctuary of Corales Beach beckons us back. The chance to slow the pace and sink once more into the calm is irresistible – after all, that sun-drenched terrace is waiting.
It turns out that Tenerife is far more than the simple sun escape we were expecting. It’s a destination of beguiling contrasts where indulgence and adventure exist in perfect harmony. Endlessly rewarding if you’re prepared to look beyond the obvious, as well as offering the ultimate luxury escape in the comfort of Royal Hideaway Corales Beach.
Rates at Royal Hideaway Corales Beach, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ L.V.X Collection start from £329 on a bed and breakfast rate. For more information and to book please visit www.preferredhotels.com
Words by Sandy Cadiz-Smith
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