Taking Off

by travel-expert José Berrocoso

A testament to colonial architecture, Bahía del Duque in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, is a cluster of impeccable villas. Modelled like a 19th-century Spanish colonial village, each pastel-pink and honey-toned building on the resort is said to represent an architectural landmark within Spanish territory. So sublimely luxurious, you needn’t step out of the resort into the “Island Of The Eternal Spring”. At a consistent 20ºC+, this UNESCO protected plot of forests, majestic cliffs and utopic beaches cries out for exploration. However, in-resort you can relax in the reading lounge or enjoy a plethora of high-adrenaline or family-friendly activities such as relaxing on Bahía del Duque’s very own yacht, Pámpano. If you fancy discovering the appeal the hotel holds for the stars, book into one of the 'Casas Ducales' on the Playa del Duque beach; these 'ducal houses' offer their own independent reception as well as additional facilities such as butler and concierge service, private patios and sun terraces. In these villas, the renowned interior-designer Pascua Ortega has reinvented the concept of luxury, combining top-of-the-range comfort with state-of-the-art technological facilities. The property is member of The Leading Hotels of the World, a collection of authentic and uncommon luxury hotels.

Bahia del Duque:

haven for A-listers

This beautiful hotel in shades of ochre and terracotta, surrounded by lush gardens, pools and waterfalls is a place of dreams, starting with the architecture typical of the Canary Islands, its palatial air and its setting overlooking the sea.

SPA

The volcanic rock landscape of the island and the resort’s lush gardens provide a perfect setting for the elegant spa. Under Tenerife’s brilliant blue sky Bahía del Duque is an oasis of calm flanked by elegant palms on a sugar-white beach. Set in flower-scented gardens bordered by volcanic stone, there are 20 treatment rooms and five outdoor cabanas perfectly cooled by the breeze. A cascading waterfall beckons you on in to the thalassotherapy pool with circuit of underwater jets, massage beds, ambient lighting and Atlantic minerals, while alluring signature treatments include the aloe vera ritual that soothes and revives every inch of the body. Treatments in biological medicine, naturopathy and orthomolecular nutrition are also in practice at the spa through its new nutrition and dietetic assessment service.

CULINARY EXPERIENCE

The resort offers an extraordinary variety of select cuisine in its eight restaurants and 13 lounges. Our recommendation: La Brasserie by Pierre Résimont. Known as the “corner of French cuisine” and led by chef Pierre Résimont, the double awarded with Michelin stars in his restaurant L’Eau-Vive in Belgium, offer a traditional French braserie menu, characterized by the use of local and seasonal products. For those looking for an authentic gastronomic experience, Nub is your place. Travel between two worlds through the personal culinary proposals of chefs Andrea Bernardi and Fernanda FuentesCárdenas. Nub, holder of a Michelin star, offers a wonderful mix of flavours, creations and ingredients that merge perfectly to make this gastronomic experience a sensory journey between Latin America and Europe.

WHAT TO DO

Explore sea caves, remote villages and geraniumlinen footpaths in the less-discovered north; mountain moonscapes of bewildering beauty at the island’s volcanic heart; and stay down south for manicured sands with more fun-having facilities than is decent. Garachico (once prosperous until a flow of lava blocked its port in 1706) has cobbled streets and traditional hillside houses; the volcanic rock pools formed at the water’s edge make this pretty coastal village perfect for promenading along the palm-fringed pathways lining Tenerife’s rugged northern coast. To the East, Puerto de la Cruz is a lively resort town that brims with authentic Spanish charm and colourful Continental cultural. And the Costa Adeje, on Tenerife’s southern coast, is home to several Blue Flag beaches, with azure waters, gentle sea breezes and volcanic vistas.