Costa Adeje – The Perfect Luxury Break

Costa Adeje is known as one of the most chic and exclusive resorts in Tenerife, so when the opportunity came up for me to stay at this glamorous retreat as part of my tour around the Canary Islands, I jumped at the chance.

Located on the southern coast of Tenerife, Costa Adeje is where the rich and famous stay when they’re on the island. When I first arrived at the resort, I knew I was going to fall in love with it straight away. I was surrounded by beautiful beaches, fantastic shopping opportunities, gourmet restaurants and stunning hotels – I thought “this is the kind of lifestyle I could get used to”.

To Do

Shopping

One of the first things I did in Costa Adeje was hit the shops. There are several centres and boutiques bursting with top-brand stores selling the latest in fashion and jewellery throughout the resort. Nestled in between the designer windows, there are also several small supermarkets to stock up on essentials and souvenir stands to pick up gifts for friends and family back home.

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Centro Comercial Plaza del Duque was one of my favourite shopping centres I visited. Located just a bit further up from the Playa del Duque beach, this open-air shopping centre was filled with designer brands which had me drooling. All the shops had glass fronts, displaying only the very finest clothes and accessories. I couldn’t help it and indulged in a new dress and a handbag to go with it – I was on holiday after all. On the bottom floor of the shopping centre, there was a large open-air cafe, where I enjoyed a coffee and sandwich for lunch. When I was there, there was a three-person Canarian band going around the tables playing traditional music. Although they looked a bit out of place dressed in black suits and sombreros, it did add a nice touch to the atmosphere.

Spa

Because it’s an upmarket resort, most of the hotels in Costa Adeje offer a spa. I asked around and found that the Vitanova Spa & Wellness centre came highly recommended. I’d been to a few spas in the UK, but never anything as glamorous as this, so I didn’t really know what to expect.

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I’d set the whole day aside to enjoy as much ‘me time’ as possible, so I began with the three-hour thermal circuit. When I entered the room, there were so many different sections that I initially felt overwhelmed, but after working my way through the hydro-massage pools, toning pools, saunas and therapeutic showers, I felt more relaxed than ever. After the thermal circuit, a member of staff suggested I enjoy one of the many treatments provided and I just couldn’t say no. I spent a few minutes browsing the brochure before opting for a marine mud wrap with aromatherapy, followed by an anti-ageing for sensitive skin facial treatment. After several hours of being pampered like never before, I walked out of the spa feeling relaxed and chilled out, whilst energised and ready to go at the same time.

Beach

Tenerife is known for its fantastic beaches and Playa del Duque in Costa Adeje is no exception. I packed my beach bag and took a short stroll down from my hotel, past the Centro Comercial Plaza del Duque, in the direction of the beach, not expecting to find anything nearly as beautiful as what I came across. As I stood at the top of the hill leading down to the beach, I saw a huge expanse of golden sand gently being lapped by the aquamarine ocean. I quickly made my way down the path and picked out a well positioned sun lounger with a shade, where I spent the rest of the afternoon. I’d picked a great day to go to the beach – there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the sun was beating down, it was a wonderful way to spend a few hours.

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To Eat

Whilst wandering along the promenade at Playa del Duque, I noticed that La Torre del Mirador restaurant was nearly always full of happy, smiling faces, so on my last evening I decided to head there to dine. I turned up in the early evening and was able to get a table at the front of the restaurant, with a prime view for watching the sunset. The menu was packed with a fantastic range of dishes – so many in fact, that it took me at least 20 minutes to make up my mind, before opting for the Segovian-style shoulder of lamb, served with Canarian potatoes and seasonal roast vegetables.

 

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My meal was presented to me beautifully and with great timing, too. It was every bit as succulent and delicious as I expected and I’m embarrassed to say I ate the whole thing, despite its large size.

To Sleep

During my visit, I stayed at the four-star Hotel Isabel. This hotel is ideally-located, just across the road from a commercial centre which was packed with shops, cafes, bars and restaurants.

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The beach was also nearby – I found myself strolling to the coast and back several times during my stay, the cool early morning air was fabulous. I stayed in a one-bedroom apartment and although there were bungalows and villas available, the apartment was spacious and came with a separate living area, bathroom and kitchen, so it had more than enough room for an individual traveller. There were loads of facilities to take advantage of onsite, including two heated swimming pools, gym, several bars, restaurant and even a kids’ club to keep the little ones amused.

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