Stuart Forster reviews a stay at the Iberostar Grand El Mirador resort hotel in Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
The Iberostar Grand El Mirador hotel is situated on the Costa Adeje, the sun-blessed southwest coast of Tenerife. It’s a fine place to stay if you want to enjoy a luxury break in a relaxing, adult-orientated boutique resort.
This five-star hotel’s grounds spread over an area of 22,000 square metres and encompass a sizeable poolside terrace that provides access to the restaurant’s bars and dining areas. You can also wander down onto the nearby Playa del Duque beach. Loosely translated from Spanish, the hotel’s name means ‘elevated viewing point’. The hotel balconies and terrace offer fine views over the Atlantic Ocean.
Architecture with Moorish influences
Viewed from the sea, the hotel’s pastel exterior is reminiscent of a medieval Iberian city. The architecture is influenced by Spain’s Moorish heritage and characterised by towers and arches.
The interior design of the 120 air-conditioned guestrooms – the simplest of which are classified as junior suites – also draws on Moorish elements. They are decked out with flat-screen televisions, mini-bars and big bathtubs, ideal for a relaxing soak. The balconies offer a private area to enjoy the sun while sipping on a refreshing drink. The top-of-the-range Presidential and Royal suites have private Jacuzzis.
The high-end service provided at this luxury hotel might seem incongruous given Tenerife’s reputation as a ‘cheap and cheerful’ holiday destination. Following the popularisation of mass tourism to the Canary Islands, Tenerife became known as a place favoured by lager-swilling sun seekers. The clubs and bars of Playa de las Americas are within easy striking distance. The taxi ride lasts less than ten minutes. Tenerife, though, is making an effort to shake off that association with mass tourism. The island has much to offer travellers seeking quality hiking and cycling trails, good food and drink or relaxation in the sunshine.
A luxury base on Tenerife
While staying at this luxury hotel it’s easy to remain blissfully unaware of what’s happening in the outside world. This is an upscale hotel aimed at adults, so it’s easy to relax with a good book by the poolside or chat in the bar.
Tenerife has some remarkable natural beauty that rewards day trips out of the hotel. The rugged Parque Nacional del Teide (Teide National Park), home to Spain’s highest mountain, the 3718m high Mount Teide, is about an hour’s drive away. Cyclists enjoy the challenge of climbing the road up into the moonscape-like vistas of the national park. If that sounds too strenuous, seven golf courses are within easy reach of the hotel.
The hotel’s spacious spa and wellness centre hosts a Jacuzzi, steam bath, flotation centre and swimming pool. Hydromassage jets can provide an underwater pummelling for muscles and a range of massages and treatments are also offered by therapists.
This is a pleasant place to unwind with service by reliable and attentive staff at three restaurants and two bars. Bar La Tosca overlooks the blue of the 2000 square metre heated pool, which takes on a romantic atmosphere when illuminated at night.
Overall, the Iberostar Grand El Mirador hotel has an exclusive, relaxing feel. It’s a hotel I’d happily return to stay at.
Location of the Iberostar Grand El Mirador
The map below shows the location of the Iberostar Grand El Mirador, just north of Costa Adeje:
Further information
Find out more about the resort on the Iberostar hotels website.
See the Canary Islands website for information about the islands’ attractions.
Photos illustrating this post are by Why Eye Photography.
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