Tenerife in Spain is the largest of the islands in the Canary island archipielago. Tenerife is home of El Teide. Spain´s highest mountain and it a well-known tourist destination for mainly Europeans, seeking pleasant climate all year round. Thanks mainly to its mild weather a vibrant tourism industry developed from the 1960s. In this article we will cover how hotels and resorts in Tenerife manage to showcase an interesting architectural design which blends traditional and local with contemporary architecture.
Since in the last 50 years or more many hotels and resorts have been built, it is impossible to define a unique style (this could be simpler in the case of Lanzarote) However, certain traits are common to many of the hotel developments in the island.
To start with we discover traditional Canarian influences. Many hotels and resorts in Tenerife feature elements like whitewashed walls (excellent to prevent high temperatures), wooden balconies, and decoration in blue or green for parts of the façades. Since many of these resots offer all inclusive services, the same trend we find in architecture is perceived in the menus and gastronomical offerings: an increasing number of resorts opt for traditional dishes menus to differentiate their restaurants.
Due to the proximity to Africa and specially to the importat role Tenerife played in the trade with America, both Moorish and Colonial influences are found os some of the resorts in the island. These designs often feature intricate tile work, arched doorways, and above all, elegant courtyards in the common areas that contribute to the luxury and relaxation that guests look for.
Some of the most recent developments have incorporated minimalist designs. Large window and open spaces, clean lines and amazing views of the ocean are meant to provide the ultimate experience to the more wealthy customers that book these hotels in Tenerife.
Another trend that has been present in most recent times is sustainability. Tenerife was the island that most “suffered” from massive construction. This happened originally on the northern coast and later on the southern part of the island. Today we find solar panels, green roofs, rainwater containers and other examples that seek to integrate a more efficient and sustainable architecture into the developments of vacation resorts in the island. The objective: to reduce the environmental impact.
One of the things that catch more the attention of holiday makers is the integration of a hotel in the landscape. Tenerife is no exception to this trend, specially since many resorts in the island compete for tourists. You can find here a complete list of resorts in Tenerife and through their pictures you will be able to identify the amazing way in which some of the hotels blend seamlessly with their surroundings. Some establishments are built into the sides of cliffs, while others occupy terraced landscape that bring breathtaking views of the ocean.
Since the climate in the island is so mild, architects have traditionally use the fusion of Indoor and outdoor Spaces: The architecture of Tenerife’s hotels and resorts often emphasizes the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, mainly the ocean. Expansive terraces, rooftop lounges, and open-air courtyards enable guests to make the most of the island’s pleasant climate and enjoying their holidays outside. This last point is very important since most visitors to Tenerife are from the British islands and northern Europe. Most customers arrive to Tenerife tired of long months in the dark!
Iconic Pools. As you may have probably noticed by looking at the pictures in the link we shared above, Tenerife’s hotels and resorts frequently boast striking pools with beautiful shapes that serve as both functional and aesthetic focal points. Many of the pools incorporate bars which happy all-inclusive customers enjoy again and again while they chill in the pool.
Infinity pools that seemingly blend into the ocean, cascading water features, and creatively designed pool areas provide guests with unforgettable experiences and stunning photo and “selfie” opportunities which also contribute to the resorts´ marketing efforts.
The most exclusive and expensive of the local resorts in Tenerife seek to offer something new or, better, something that a guest may have not seen before. Architecture plays a key role in this sense and is probably the most important tool for marketeers in the hospitality business. Items like glass-bottomed floors to connect with a pool or the ocean, unique geometric shapes, buildings that ressemble mountains or vulcanos, children´s playgrounds that make any child dream, or most extravagant (and expensive!) options like underwater suites redefine the notion of luxury accommodation. On some cases creating such amazing examples may rest in contradiction with the objectives of sustainability in architecture we have mentioned and which have been presented by The European Union in different papers and laws.
We would not like to end this article without illustrating some of the most luxurious examples of resorts in the island. Most of them offer also all-inclusive services, a trend that has become a key service in all the Canary islands
The Ritz-Carlton in Guía de Isora, is 5-star resort that offers a good example of the Moorish-inspired architecture we mentioned above.
Bahía del Duque in Costa Adeje is a high-end resort that combines colonial-style architecture with modern luxury.
Gran Melia Palacio offers a great example of a hotel with an infinity pool. On this case, the architecture style is however more eclectic.
A good example of the sleek avantguard architecture we mentioned is offered by the Royal Hideaway Corales Beach. Fantastic open areas and a rooftop pool are two of its identity traits.
A last example we want to use is the Hard Rock hotel Tenerife. This hotel offers something different from the architectural elements we have covered in this article. Common areas, rooms and suites at this hotel are adorned with rock and pop memorabilia! Excellent for music fans.
We can only end by reinforcing the key role that architecture in defining the local offer to an ever growing population of travellers that come to Tenerife. Architects aim to ensure that local hotels and resorts Tenerife’s captivate potential customers and that those impressions stay during the visitors´ time in the island. Today we can find remarkable architectural diversity. Whether it’s the traditional Canarian influences, the fusion of indoor and outdoor spaces, or the incorporation of sustainable design elements, the resorts in Tenerife have managed to integrate the island’s rich cultural heritage and its commitment to providing unforgettable experiences for travellers.