The Top Hotels in the Canary Islands

On La Palma’s sunny southwest coast of Fuencaliente, this four-star spa hotel works for both couples and families, with luxurious rooms, buffet-style dining and a brilliant pool complex. The wellness offerings are superb – there’s everything from whirlpools and saunas to ice wells and aromatherapy showers. Rooms, which are located in nine blocks scattered around the main building, all have a balcony or terrace, and a colonial style with rose-coloured walls and floral prints.

There’s a cool colonial style at this five-star hotel on the northeastern edge of Santa Cruz in Tenerife. Stalk-skinny palm trees line the pool, there’s a polished marble lobby and attractive wooden balconies overlook a manicured garden. The three restaurants include Papa Negra, which serves sustainable seafood sourced from traditionally fished local waters. The 261 rooms feel clean and bright, with whitewashed walls and polished wood floors.

For an adults-only escape, consider this five-star hotel in the Puerto Calero Marina area of Lanzarote. It features a wealth of eating options, sparkling pools, a blissful spa and luxurious rooms with romantic sea views. There’s also a fitness centre, and staff can arrange excursions such as trips to the volcanic Timanfaya National Park. Dine on everything from fresh sushi at the chic Gohan restaurant, to grilled meats at the poolside Bluewater Grill.

Families and couples will equally enjoy this serene hotel, located opposite the Botanical Gardens in Tenerife, around a mile from the Puerto de la Cruz coastline. As the name suggests, the grounds are the highlight – they feature a herb garden, multiple seating areas and a pond dotted with black swans. The exotic spa offers treatments such as the Canarian Ritual, involving a sea salt, lemon and aloe vera body wrap. Other facilities include a putting green, tennis courts and a gym.

Set directly on the seafront in Valle Gran Rey, on the west coast of La Gomera, this hotel has a laid-back vibe, 99 spotless rooms, a sea-view breakfast terrace and rooftop pool you won’t want to leave. There’s also a black-sand beach and tennis court. Rooms have neutral colour schemes and most look out to the ocean. For extra space, book a superior room – they have a larger terrace plus sofas and a dining table and chairs.

In the Gran Canaria resort of Meloneras, this hotel has an African feel. Named after the African savannah’s tree of life, it has a hunting lodge design with wide verandas, while the nightly entertainment includes performances from the African house band. The 525 rooms feature touches such as replica snakeskin bed heads and zebra-print cushions, while the Akara restaurant serves African cuisine such as antelope and baobab tree fruit. The seven pools will keep both adults and kids entertained.

This 509-room oceanfront resort on the west coast of Tenerife has an enormous saltwater infinity pool – the largest hotel pool of its kind in Europe at almost 400m (1,312ft) long. You can choose between an adults-only break in the upgraded RedLevel boutique hotel, or opt for a family-friendly experience in the RedLevel for Families part, which has children’s pools and a dedicated kids’ club. Rooms are chic and classically styled, and Nami is a standout restaurant, serving delicious Japanese cuisine.

Set in a 17th-century, typically Canarian manor house with earth-red walls, immaculately tasteful styling and period charm in spades, Hotel San Roque is one of the finest hotels on Tenerife. Individually styled rooms are brimming with original touches such as Rennie Mackintosh furniture, while some feature whirlpool tubs. The suite set in the watchtower has a rooftop terrace with sea views. A lovely secluded courtyard has a swimming pool and an al fresco dining patio, but to top it all, as an adults-only hotel it makes the perfect setting for a romantic break.

Originally part of a building designed by celebrated Canarian artist and architect César Manrique, this adults-only all-suites hotel takes luxury to the next level. Most of the 25 high-end suites open to terraces with fabulous ocean views, with some also adding whirlpool tubs for al fresco soaking. Upscale amenities include Nespresso machines and even private wine bars. The entire hotel gleams a pure, clean white, while outside space is decorated with brightly coloured flowers around a super-swish sea-view swimming pool.

More than a little reminiscent of a Moorish palace, the five-star Gran Hotel Atlantis Bahia Real is quite probably the top luxury-level property in Fuerteventura and is a perfect pick for a romantic treat. At 242 guest rooms, it’s far from an intimate boutique property, though a deluxe spa, five restaurants and a chilled-out beach club make excellent use of the space. Fringed by the white-sand beaches and dunes of Corralejo Natural Dune Park, the setting is also magical.

Offering panoramas over Maspalomas Beach, the upper levels of Seaside Palm Beach feature some of the finest views in the Canary Islands. Its range of 1970s-inspired rooms were also designed by interior designer Alberto Pinto, and finished in fabulously bright, bold colours with retro-style furniture and fittings. Tucked away in the tropical gardens you’ll find the spa, offering massages and treatments (including aroma, serum and ozone therapies) and manicures and pedicures. There are also two thalassotherapy swimming pools, where you can relax and reap the benefits of the sea, before hitting the sauna.

The former residence of the marquis of the same name, La Quinta Roja is now a fabulous hotel, providing one of the finest examples of baroque architecture on the island. The building dates back to the 16th century, and overlooks a historic square in the coastal town of Garachico. A leafy courtyard and guest rooms brimming with period charm complete a unique property.

Hotel Cordial Mogán Playa is located just minutes from the beach in Puerto de Mogán. Inside it’s more like a small village than a hotel, with various accommodation complexes, gardens, restaurants, bars and a spa. The Inagua Spa may be small, but has bubble beds, cold dips, a sauna, steam bath and themed showers. The best part, however, is the outdoor spa area, with warming foot baths and hot tubs to relax in while admiring the surrounding tropical gardens.

If you’re looking for a dramatic setting, Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide is situated 2,000m (6,562ft) above sea level in a volcanic crater 16km (10mi) wide in Tenerife’s Teide National Park. It offers a charming mountain-lodge vibe, finished in plenty of exposed wood and volcanic rock, plus a roaring fire to add to the snug feel. There are 37 cosy guest rooms, a heated indoor pool and two restaurants serving local cuisine. For stellar romantic moments, two telescopes and clear skies provide perfect conditions for stargazing with your loved one.

Hotels in the Canary Islands don’t come much more elegantly old-school than this former sugar plantation estate. Museum-worthy artworks and antique furniture are scattered throughout this 17th-century hacienda hotel, which was renovated – and is still run – by the descendants of the first owners of the estate. It now overlooks banana plantations on the west coast of La Palma, in the pretty village of Tazacorte, and within strolling distance of majestic cliff-trimmed, black volcanic beaches. The 32 individually styled rooms are as ornate as the rest of the property, and with no shortage of luxury touches such as L’Occitane products and fluffy bathrobes.