MENU
FIVE questions
you should
ask ...
CALL US
Speak to one of our travel
experts within 5 rings
020·7962·9933

Which of these is important to you?

  • Concierge style service. Your own dedicated travel manager who'll look after you until you travel.
  • Better value. Exclusive fares you won't find online to save you money.
  • 24 hour helpline. A worldwide team just a phone call away if you need help while you're overseas.
  • 98% rate us excellent. More highly rated than our competitors with 98% saying they'd book again.
  • Risk free. Fully licensed with Client Trust Account to protect your money. ABTA, ATOL protected.

Your calls always answered within 5 rings.

x
Read the reviews? Call us now on 
020·7962·9933
Tell us what you need. We'll find you a solution
Europe Reviews 10170
Europe Offers 43
Europe Fly-Drives 6
Privacy and luxury

Five-star sparkle at the Ritz-Carlton Abama

Anne Murray takes a lingering look at a hotel of unabashed luxury set in a fabulous location - where Penelope Cruz tops up her tan

This is a luxury five-star enclave sitting on the west coast of sun-soaked Tenerife... a year-round destination for warm weather that attracts a celebrity clientele. Its 72-hole golf course is a key attraction, as is a lovely gold-sand beach.

Star quality: Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Bill Clinton, Stephen Hawking.

Vital statistics: A Moorish palace of excellence in Tenerife, set high on the cliffs, the terracotta walls of the Abama shore up the Canary island's most luxurious hotel. Surrounded by extravagant tropical gardens, you'll find nearly 500 suites and rooms amid its shady courtyards.


A stroll on the peaceful beach, which is reached by cable car from the hotel


Its cliff-top setting means that you'll be whisked down to the beach by a cable car, but if you want to stay put there are nine swimming pools, including an infinity pool at the cliff's edge that looks out across to the island of La Gomera.

The Abama's unabashed luxury continues with two Michelin-starred restaurants. MB comes under the supervision of Martin Berasategui, with classic Spanish cuisine.

Kabuki serves Japanese in a sleek red and black interior.

Eight others include Le Mirador, which specialises in seafood and has views of the ocean.

During school holidays, the bankers of Europe descend en masse with their young children.


Rocks and palms fringe a clifftop pool at The Abama, with views across the ocean


If you want to escape beautifully dressed euro-tots, head to the Tagor villas. The most exclusive (and expensive) of all the Abama's rooms are reserved for over-18s, with complimentary drinks and snacks.

Another refuge for adults is the Abama's 72-par golf course. Considered to be one of Spain's finest, it brings golf-minded celebrities including Bill Clinton to the resort.

Other sports facilities include seven tennis courts - one a show court with seating for 600 people.

Location report: Tucked away on the west coast, near Playa de San Juan resort, which is a 15-minute walk away along the cliff. The rest of the island requires a hire car.


Shady spots surround one of the nine pools


Key attraction: Privacy and the sort of luxury that you normally find in only a handful of exclusive resorts around the globe. Reliable short-haul winter sun with Ritz-Carlton finesse (Asprey products in the bathrooms).

The hotel's extensive grounds are meticulously kept, and the beach has imported sand because the local stuff was considered to be a bit dark and gritty for the hotel.

In the news: Cruz and husband Bardem were at the Abama recently.

Good enough for the rest of us?: Technically, the Abama's beach is public - but access is almost impossible without going via the hotel.



First published in the Mail Online - February 2015

More articles below...


For more inspiration, read what travel writers have to say...

Montenegro rediscovered

A new-found clamour for glamour awaited Jeff Mills in this chic little Balkan country

Highlife in Cannes

Film producer Frank Mannion tells you how to live like a star here

Loving Lyon

Giles Milton revels in the culinary capital of France

Good Morning Crete!

Charlotte Hawkins recharges her batteries on the Greek island

Magnificent Madeira

There’s a reason the capital is called Fun-chal, says Louise Thomas

Luxury afloat

On a super-yacht, Stephen Cole proves big isn't always best

Greek cliff-hanger

Louise Saunders discovers an iconic hotel carved into the volcanic cliff face

Milan glamour

Deirdre Fernand explores this treasure-house of culture

Florence in a flash

Italy's famous art capital wows with culture galore and delicious food

I just adore a parador

From magnificent castles to luxurious converted convents, Dave Balow takes a tour

Weekend in Seville

This Spanish city is perfect for a short break

Turkish delight

Yoga enthusiast or not, you'll love this oasis of luxury, says Sofia Zagzoule

The Durrells' Corfu

Read Thomas W. Hodgkinson's guide to their enchanting isle

Break for Rome

David Dillon and his sons discover the Italian capital

San Sebastian

A feast for the eyes and the tastebuds, as Martin Symington discovered

Modern Montenegro

James Hughes-Onslow reports from the Balkans

Greece is still divine

And this family resort is heavenly, says Jeremy Daniels

The Marbella Club

The Spanish resort is still full of panache, as Mark Palmer discovered

Soulful Mallorca

Kate Amey reports from the luxurious Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa

Cypriot ultra spa

How did destination spa Anassa measure up?

Warm up in Iceland

Sky News presenter Kay Burley luxuriates in a steaming lagoon and marvels at the Northern Lights

Kefalonia's hue

Martin Ogden makes his very own Odyssey to the idyllic haven

Who couldn't love Lisbon?

Caroline McGuire gives you the lowdown on this perfect city break

Falling for Formentera

Ibiza's neighbour - but quiet and chic, as Mark Palmer discovered

The heroic island

Miranda Seymour reveals why fans of the magical holiday spot of Malta return every year

La Dolce Vita in Portofino

Sarah Turner discovers Hollywood’s heyday at the Hotel Splendido

Simply baking in ancient Greece!

Bake Off star Candice Brown has a delicious time in Halkidiki

My Mykonos adventure

Denise van Outen's dream of exploring a Greek island comes true

Madeira madness

Taking free-kicks in Madeira with Cristiano Ronaldo

Towering Tuscany

Take me back to my dream destination, says Mark Palmer

Dining in Palma

Sarah Gilbert savours the delights of Palma on a plate

Portugal's pousadas

Magnificent hotels with wall-to-wall history

Seductive Sardinia

Why Sardinia was a dream worth waiting for, says Lisa Brady

Vibrant Valencia

Is this cultural treasure house Spain's finest seaside city? Michael Hodges gives his verdict...

Croatia's Islands

Frederick Tratt explores the unspoilt gems off Croatia's fabulous coastline

Croatia's Tuscany

Unspoilt Istria does a great impression of rural Italy, writes Jane Horrocks

Florence and Milan

Make a long weekend in Italy twice the fun

Twin cities

Connect two fascinating cities by train on a European mini adventure

Not quite what you're looking for?
We can easily customise an offer to suit your exact requirements

x