ROMANTIC. AFFORDABLE. SHORT HAUL. HERE’S EXACTLY HOW TO DO ALL-INCLUSIVE, ISLAND-LIFE STYLE…
Guest Writer Wersha Bharadwa
Fresh air, golden beaches, sunshine and star-gazing: Tenerife makes an incredible honeymoon destination for summer or winter brides and is only a four hour flight from the UK. Over the years the Canaries biggest island has reinvented itself into a lover’s paradise of exceptional beauty and romance – a world away from its one-time party image. From whale-watching trips that inspire awe and salty sea kisses on private boat trips, counting stars and holding hands under the moonlight (the island is one of the best places on earth for star-gazing) to cute designer fashion boutiques and farmer’s markets, you’ll find lots of ways to relax and create lifetime memories.
Try cycling around an active volcano, snorkelling and fine dining (the island has a good few Michelin-starred joints), but don’t forget to let your taste-buds explore delicious family-owned eateries serving fresh-out-of-the-sea grilled fish and flavoursome wines too. And for couples looking for an all-inclusive option, nothing beats checking into two of Tenerife’s most trusted properties: Roca Nivaria and Iberostar Anthelia. Both hotels are close to the main tourist attractions and suit honeymooners wanting an affordable and sunshine-filled honeymoon (and a more eco-friendly one since you’re flying short haul). Seriously, we have fallen in love with Tenerife. We will be back!
WHERE TO STAY
Roca Nivaria
Just a fifteen minute drive from Tenerife South Airport in Playa Paraiso. The Island of Gomera can be seen across the waters and is a short boat ride away.
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE
Roca Nivaria is one of the newest kids on the block in terms of stylish hotels and boasts a beautiful two-bedroom/ three-bathroom bridal suite filled with the owner’s personal collection of antiques and a long balcony. The light pouring in is a make-up artists dream if you’re getting married here too (and lots of UK brides do because of the weather and travelling ease)! Arguably one of the best pool systems on the island, there are plenty to choose from including a salt water pool and two super-stylish linked infinity pools (and if the pool looks familiar to you, and you watch TOWIE, it’s because the cast and crew filmed here in 2015). You won’t resist whiling away lazy days soaking up the sun from a lounger, with a permanent cocktail in hand from the Ahémon bar – a special spot for lunch too (we loved lunches in a cut out cave next to the main buffet).
Guests on the All-Inclusive honeymoon option get to choose superbly prepared international dishes (including heaps of seafood) at The Garoe. The restaurant is also a breakfast fan heaven with pretty much everything you could possibly imagine including a waffle station and hot cooked breakfast station with omelettes made to your personal preference. We often needed to skip lunch, barely managing to finish off slices of watermelon at 2pm after gluttonously gorging ourselves on our morning meal. Thankfully, when you fancy working off those long breakfasts, you can head to the resort’s top-class gym, or tennis and volleyball courts and also hire bikes. Wine tasting, mountain hiking and national park visits can all be arranged.
The treatment menu at the Azules de Nivaria Spa is designed to have you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed with therapeutic showers and an interior spa circuit a guaranteed reboot highlight. Honeymooners should check into double ocean suites which are tasteful and deliver minimalistic interiors, black furniture, hard floors and super-king beds. All have walk-in wardrobes and balconies with loungers.
HOW TO BOOK
Roca Nivaria Gran Hotel, Avda. Adeje 300 – Playa Paraíso, Costa Adeje 38670 – Santa Cruz de Tenerife – Spain.
VISIT www.adrianhoteles.com or call 0034 922 740 202 for best on the day rates for honeymoon packages.
Iberostar Anthelia
www.iberostar.com/Tenerife/Anthelia
Located in the flashy Costa Adeje, and near a large shopping mall where you can stock up on Zara, Mango and Massimo Dutti blazers for a fraction of the UK price.
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE
A busy and bustling resort, it’s a great find for family-moons or couples wanting all the trimmings of an all-inclusive for a reasonable price. The hotel aims to please any type of honeymooner with romantic treats such as poolside and beachside cabanas, spa treatments and a fun kids club. Do remember to ask for a refurbished bedroom where you’ll find balconies with tables and chairs as well as replenished mini-bars that are free for All-Inclusive honeymooners and laid-back, uncluttered décor, low lighting and lots of floor space. Our white-tiled bathroom had a shower and bathtub.
For serious romance book a table at one of the a la carte diners where you can feast to your heart’s delight on traditional Canarian dishes. The breakfasts are delicious and vast with cava on the menu at every meal time. And Just as you’re thinking: ‘Picnic a deux on the beach’, you’ll discover Iberostar Anthelia has its own sandy shores for lazy honeymooners wanting to eat, laze in the sun and swim around in. A day at the beach is a magical experience anywhere, but here in Tenerife we’re amazed by the cleanliness of the water and the picture-perfect sunsets over the horizon (the cold beers, breads, cheeses and yogurts packed in an expert hamper made the experience that little more extra special too!) We head to the spa where an aromatherapy massage leaves us feeling rested and energised at the same time.Like Roca Nivaria, animation is really big at the hotel with entertainment every evening and daiquiris on table service.
HOW TO BOOK
IBEROSTAR ANTHELIA, Calle Londres, 15, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
VISIT www.iberostar.com/Tenerife/Anthelia or CALL 0034 922 71 33 35 and book directly for best on the day rates.
WHAT TO DO
Siam park
Think the most thrilling, daring and hang-on-to-your-swimsuit style dare-devil water slides (vertical drops, faster-than-a-car speeds) and you’ll get why adults love this huge and totally fun waterpark. We also enjoyed a ‘Jewel of the Nile’ style spot of role-play on the longest laziest river we’ve ever visited. Trust us when we say you’ll need a day here! Visit www.siampark.net
Loro Parque
No honeymoon in Tenerife would be complete without some time taking in the conservation work at Loro Parque. The Orcas had us in tears with how beautiful they truly are. Plus you can rest assured that your admission fee goes right back into caring for the animal residents. Visit www.loroparque.com
Car Hire
Hire a car from Auto Europe www.autoeurope.co.uk and book online from the UK for better deals for road-adventures offering spectacular views of El Tiede as you drive the length of the island (it’s an hour from both hotels to Loro Parque, but only 15 minutes to Siam Park.) Costing a little over £200 for the week (roughly the same prices we were quoted on the island for two-three day hire) the savings meant more splurging on romantic meals, day experiences and shopping at Massimo Dutti!
BEFORE YOU GO
Investing in a Priority Pass card www.prioritypass is a real hassle-saver for access to hundreds of lounges across the globe and a VIP start to your honeymoon. Birmingham Airport has two lounges with No 1 Traveller no1lounges.com offering a range of drinks, hot food to order, magazines and free wifi.
GETTING THERE
We shared a seamless journey with Norwegian Air who’ve won awards as the best budget airline for their fleet of sleek aircraft, super friendly staff and on-board facilities including free Wifi. It is four hours flying from Birmingham International to Tenerife South. Meals serve a range of dietary requirements on board (and, thankfully at decent prices too). Single fares from £35. Tickets are available from www.norwegian.com or CALL 0330 8280854.
