Ritz Carlton Tenerife, Abama

“A TIMELESS ISLAND ESCAPE OF ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES”

The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama, defines itself as a retreat of endless possibilities. But, truth be said, this gem in the Canary Islands is much more than that!

First, Tenerife is just over a two-hour flight from Lisbon, and its warm temperature and sunny climate almost year-round are enough reasons for frequent visits. Add the Ritz-Carlton touch, and we have an experience that can only be described as… brilliant.

Celebrating my 40th birthday and wanting to escape the cold, we decided to seek warmth and tranquility. We wanted a nearby destination, so we chose the Canary Islands, where Tenerife, the largest island, reveals an arid nature and a landscape dominated by Mount Teide, the highest point in Spain.

The idea for this short trip was to relax and not necessarily explore the island. Still, a rented car allowed us to see a bit more of Tenerife in a short time. One day, we headed north and visited San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a charming historical center worth the stop.

But what really took us to the Costa de Adeje was the Ritz-Carlton Abama, a luxury oasis that dominates the landscape of Guia de Isora.

First Impression
Sometimes, the experience starts even before arriving at the hotel, and that’s precisely what happened. A few days before the trip, we received an email from the reservations manager with detailed questions: full names, bed and pillow preferences, specific needs for our daughter, and possible allergies or restrictions. Already, it felt like we were in the hands of a team that is attentive, thoughtful, and concerned with the well-being of its guests.

As we approached the hotel, a salmon-colored building appeared in the landscape, blending with the arid environment of Tenerife like a Moorish palace rising from the desert. The entrance invites relaxation, with an elegant bar where we toasted our first evening with cocktails. To the left was an unconventional reception, where the skillfully organized team welcomed us for a quick and flawless check-in, despite the hustle and bustle of guests.

It’s a massive complex designed to please every type of traveler. With golf courses, a private beach, buggies that transport guests to any corner, and the largest kids’ club in Europe, the Ritz-Carlton Abama has something for all ages and profiles. There is a sense of magical organization: each area has its audience, allowing families and childless couples to enjoy different experiences as if there were two distinct worlds in the same place.

Rooms
The resort features 462 rooms divided into three main areas: The Citadel, The Retreat, and The Penthouses, each providing a distinct experience. We stayed in The Citadel, situated in the main building and slightly farther from the beach. This is where all the activities and buzz are most prominent. The Retreat offers a more exclusive atmosphere, located closer to the beach and featuring adult-only pools, making it ideal for couples without children. Lastly, the Penthouses represent the height of luxury and elegance.

In our Citadel Deluxe room, we were greeted warmly: Our daughter, Francisca, eagerly ran to a table that surprised us with photos and a lovely welcome note from the team. The table was also filled with fresh fruit, chocolates, and a bottle of cava, marking the beginning of an unforgettable stay. The room itself was spacious, decorated in calming beige and navy tones, and it opened onto a balcony that offered a breathtaking view of the sea and the property’s beautiful gardens.

The comfort of the bed was a highlight, though the bathroom, while spacious, seemed to need more elegance (we noticed that the rooms were recently renovated, but the bathrooms kept the previous design, hence the mismatch). But perhaps this is just the opinion of someone with, clearly, a giant bathroom fetish!

Restaurants
One of the most significant assets of the Ritz-Carlton Abama is the variety of restaurants and bars. There are ten options, ranging from buffets to starred fine dining experiences.

La Veranda is the main restaurant and a fantastic breakfast spot, featuring an impressive selection of Spanish specialties and international dishes. The service was exceptional; by the second day, the staff knew how each guest preferred their coffee.

Guests at The Retreat can also have breakfast at El Mirador, which has an ocean view and a more reserved atmosphere.

El Mirador is also a fantastic choice for dinner, focusing on Mediterranean flavors with fish, seafood, and rice dishes. Here, we enjoyed delicious salted shrimp, calamari, and the famous Tenerife potatoes with Mojo, which surprised us at first bite. Akira Black, with views of the golf course, offers a sophisticated experience for lovers of Japanese cuisine.

But there are options for every taste: Verde Mar for contemporary vegetarian dishes, Verona for Italian specialties, and Txoko, Basque cuisine by the main pool. Here, we enjoyed the more relaxed offerings from chef Martín Berasategui. I must mention the tartare trilogy, including a wagyu and a tomato tartare that could easily be mistaken for meat, as well as the slow-cooked lamb shank and the Txoko’s signature broken eggs with potato foam, straw potatoes, and egg. Each space has its charm, and there’s always something new to try.

Finally, M.B., with two Michelin stars, is a must-visit for lovers of haute cuisine, although it only accepts children aged 12 and up. Under the guidance of chef Erlantz Gorostiza, Martín Berasategui’s vision transforms each dish into an unforgettable experience for all senses. Certainly, it gives us a reason to return in the future, this time without children.

Services
The Ritz-Carlton Abama is a true playground for guests, with several pools scattered throughout the complex, from the Lagoon for families to adult-only pools, such as the Del Mar Infinity Pool, perfect for watching the sunset. For the more adventurous, the hotel organizes personalized tours around Tenerife: visits to wine producers, hikes on the Teide volcano, boat trips, helicopter rides, and even paragliding. Everything is possible, tailored to our dreams… and wallets, of course!

Families with young children find a paradise here. The Kids’ Club is the largest in Europe, with activities for all ages, from art workshops to karaoke, available for children from 4 years old. Although our daughter could not yet participate, she was enchanted by the train that takes guests to the beach and small details, like the koi carp in the ponds surrounding the hotel. The team is attentive, ready to entertain, and makes the little guests feel at home.

The beach features a private area with sunbeds and sunshades, along with bar and restaurant services available throughout the day. Although the beach is not exclusive to the hotel, due to its location, it is practically reserved for hotel guests.

For golfers, the hotel offers stunning courses. And for tennis enthusiasts, there’s a complete academy less than 2 km from the resort.
For relaxation, the Spa offers an extensive list of massages and treatments tailored to every need. And for those seeking active well-being, the gym is modern and equipped with the best on the market.

Another highlight is that the hotel can organize all kinds of celebrations, including conventions or weddings. With stunning views and a dreamlike environment, the hotel is prepared to host the most idyllic event possible, whether in El Mirador’s garden or the Persian Garden, for example.

Service
Whenever I go to large hotels, I don’t expect very personalized service, though it’s possible, as hotels like Le Bristol in Paris or The Fullerton in Singapore have already proven. But the Ritz-Carlton Abama also proved to be an exception.From the first interactions with the team to small gestures during our stay, the level of attention was surprising. On my birthday, I was welcomed with a decorated breakfast table, a card written in Portuguese, and a team singing Happy Birthday loudly, accompanied by a delicious cake. I’m not a fan of surprises, but I confess, it was impossible not to feel touched.

The Ritz-Carlton Abama is one of those rare hotels that works magic, where each guest, even among hundreds, feels unique. No exaggeration. The hotel’s architecture and the design of its spaces allow the experience to be almost that of a boutique hotel, with warm and efficient service.

The staff is kind, cheerful, lively, attentive, unpretentious, and happy! Yes, happy. I don’t know if it’s the mild climate and the sun they are blessed with almost all year round, but there’s a certain magic on this Canary Island, taken to its highest level at the Ritz-Carlton Abama.

Our departure was just a “see you soon.” There’s still so much to discover, from the Kids’ Club for Francisca to M.B. for an unforgettable dinner, or perhaps, just to lose myself in the Spa for hours and explore the nooks and crannies of this paradise retreat that we left unexplored.

See you soon, Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama!