Hotel Botanico and The Oriental Spa Garden is a luxury 5* hotel in Puerto de la Cruz set within 25,000sqm of Asian-inspired gardens and surrounded by views of Mount Tiede and the Orotava Valley. The island is well known for its blue skies and temperatures between 20-28°C all year round making it an ideal destination for anyone looking for some winter sun without the long haul travel.
Only a 4-hour flight from the UK, Hotel Botanico is an hour drive from Tenerife South where all the international flights arrive. Located in the north of the island, it’s said to offer a more authentic experience of the Canary Islands and on the drive from the airport, I noticed more and more lush palm trees and vegetation in the surroundings as we approached the hotel.
The Hotel
Being a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, I had high expectations and was not disappointed. As soon I entered the hotel, I was greeted by a beautiful display of leaves suspended over a large amethyst that glistened in the reception area. The hotel is elegantly decorated with a relaxing ambience, ideal for those wanting a tranquil holiday with plenty of space to relax on the loungers around the main pool or the first floor-terrace as well as the adults-only spa area. As the name suggests, the hotel is set within 25,000sqm of beautiful oriental-inspired gardens filled with flowing ponds of koi carp, black swans and tropical plants and trees where you can wander around without a care in the world. For art lovers, there’s also a range of paintings and sculptures to discover around the hotel by local and international artists which are the largest private collection in the Canary Islands.
The old town is a pleasant 15-minute walk downhill, eventually arriving at the crashing waves and black sand beaches of Puerto de la Cruz; for those not so keen on the steep walk back can take advantage of the shuttle service provided by the hotel. There are numerous shops and restaurants within walking distance of the hotel if you want to venture out and try something local. The guest services team also helped me arrange a visit to Loro Parque, a conservational wildlife park and suggested a visit to the town of Orotava which is easily accessible by a bus that stops right outside the hotel, both of which I highly recommend.
The Rooms
All 252 rooms and suites are decorated in classical and elegant furnishing equipped with modern touches including USB ports and a large flatscreen TV with international channels. Each room leads on to a private balcony with Mount Teide, spa or ocean views. I stayed in the Ambassador Junior Suite with Ocean Views which had a lounge area, walk-in dressing room, spacious marble bathroom with a bathtub and shower. French doors opened onto a terrace area furnished with tables, chairs and a sun lounger allowing me to wake up to beautiful views of the lush green putting green and crystal blue sea.
Dining
There are 4 restaurants at the hotel including The Oriental which serves delicious South-East Asian dishes, Il Pappagallo serving a menu of Mediterranean dishes, Palmera Real serving relaxed lunches on the poolside terrace and Brunelli’s Steak House.
The Wellness Facilities
The spa is where I chose to spend most of my time, yet every day, I still didn’t want to leave the oasis of serenity my daily routine had adjusted to. A true haven of relaxation immersed in 3,500sqm of subtropical gardens, there is a lagoon-style pool surrounded by loungers, a jacuzzi inside a cave and a Thai pagoda for outdoor treatments outside. Inside the spa, there is a thermal pool circuit with jets and hydromassage, several types of sauna and steam rooms, sensation showers, an ice temple and a relaxation room with waterbeds.
My stay started with a consultation with Dali, the nutritionist, who explained my programme for the week before asking me to step on a very advanced machine that was able to measure my body composition, muscle and body fat. It was even able to pinpoint my problem areas along with recommendations of my ideal BMI and recommended calorie intake to make my goals achievable. I was also given a booklet with recommendations of walks in the local area to compliment my programme which was great for discovering the Canarian surroundings while getting my step count up for the week.
My first treatment was Udvartana, a detoxifying Ayurvedic treatment that involved scrubbing my whole body with herbs tailored to my dosha which my therapist, Ursula, told me would help to remove lymphatic toxins and reduce fat and cellulite in the body and was essential to prepare the body for the weight loss process. The rest of my week consisted of daily treatments to tone and reshape the body as well as complimentary access to a weekly schedule of activities including meditation, Tai Chi, Pilates and yoga. I couldn't resist booking myself in for a reiki session too which left me blissfully relaxed and re-energised.
One of my favourite activities of the week was a yoga class in the spa gardens – it was incredibly therapeutic listening to the sound of the birds whilst looking up to waving trees against the blue skies. At the end of the week, I had my final consultation with Dali, feeling much lighter in mind and body. She gave me a helpful take-home guide on calorie expenditures on certain exercises to implement back home as well as scheduling a follow-up call on my return.
Who's It For
Whether you’re an overworked professional looking to unwind, detox and recharge or just want to kick-start a lifestyle change, Hotel Botanico and The Oriental Spa Gardens offers the perfect opportunity in a peaceful setting to relax, rejuvenate and get back into shape in a luxurious setting.
Find out more about Hotel Botanico and The Oriental Spa Garden here or call to speak to one of our specialists on +44(0) 203 886 0082
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