Bahia del Duque – Tenerife, Canary Islands
Tenerife’s first luxury hotel, Bahia del Duque has been welcoming guests for nearly a century. And thanks to its colonial village style architecture and first class service, it continues to stand apart. Bold coloured facades and bright tiled roofs; acres of tiered lawns and tropical gardens, full of olive, cypress, palms and bougainvillea, meandering paths from swimming pool to swimming pool, it’s a real oasis. We love the relaxed vibe here, mixed with an air of distinction, and most of all, the spoiling choice of restaurants.
A short walk across the promenade brings you to the exclusive beach – a long stretch of sun kissed golden sand with a very good beach bar. This is the place for warm and dreamy days, or your base for exploring this dramatically beautiful island.
At A Glance
Luxury Hotel
Why We Love It:
For its history & ethos. It is also well positioned for strolling into town.Style:
Spanish colonial chic.Location:
On the Costa Adeje in the south west of Tenerife.Rooms:
386 spacious rooms, suites & villas.Swimming:
5 swimming pools to choose from & the beach is only a short walk away.Children:
Great for families with a kids' club free of charge, teen lounge & babysitting services available on request.Open From:
All year round.rooms
By the sea or surrounded by tropical gardens, each room, suite and villa is different, and they are all elegantly styled with fabulously comfortable beds. They are decorated in earthy colours, bold patterned fabrics and tiled terracotta floors. Each one has a terrace or balcony and many interconnect, giving families lots of options.
food
Well, where do we start? To stay here is like going on an exceptional gourmet tour of the world, with a total of nine restaurants, and a very well curated wine list. It’s so comprehensive, you’re unlikely to stray outside. And where best to begin, then at Nub with its delicate mix of Latin American and European cuisine, and most importantly with a Michelin star. At Kensei, against a lake garden backdrop, you’ll dine on contemporary Japanese dishes and also comes highly acclaimed.
For delicious French food, La Brasserie is excellent, and its chef Pierre Résimont has Michelin history too. Over the water, the Beach Club is a great place for both lunch and dinner, with fresh seafood and a distinct Mediterranean flavour. Fresh pasta and excellent pizzas can be found in La Trattoria, accompanied by evening entertainment. Sophisticated Basque flavours emanate from SUA, with steak being a specialty. And it’s a quick hop over the Atlantic to Mexico at La Hacienda, right on the seafront looking over Playa del Duque. At the very modern Alisios Market Food the focus is on haute cuisine, with a very good selection of Spanish wines. Breakfast is served at El Bernegal, where the terrace has views of La Gomera and the choice is quite spectacular.
activities
Tenerife is a great location for active families, and pretty much everything is available to guests at Bahia del Duque. Being right on the water, guests have access to a great array of water sports. From the sedate paddle boarding to the more adrenalin rush of surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, and from the underwater wonders of scuba diving to a private motor boat charter, exploring the dramatic coastline of southern Tenerife and whale watching.
Golfers are spoilt for choice on the island, with some exceptional courses within very easy reach. There’s also a nine hole pitch and putt right next to the Villas. Lots of the ATP tennis players come to use the courts here, and guests can benefit from some expert coaching. Get an aerial view of the island and its stunning scenery by paragliding or parasailing, or if you prefer both feet on the ground, there are plentiful trekking trails around the island, through lush forests and on volcanic craters. Or you could just wander around the hotel gardens and use one of the five pools – four of which are heated to a balmy twenty-six degrees and one is salt water. The Wellness Retreat, deep in the gardens, has a long list of treatments, therapies and holistic rituals, so be sure to book. Then maybe after a massage, a relaxed wander around the hotel’s boutiques. And Bahia del Duque has something that not many hotels have – a stargazing observatory. There’s a lot to do!
family
There’s a huge amount to do here for children of all ages. The Duqui Club (free of charge), for children between three and twelve, is well run and has a very good variety of fun activities, from treasure hunts to cookery classes and sports to painting classes. And at the end of the day, there’s quite often a mini disco. Babysitting can be arranged at an additional cost and the hotel has all the baby equipment you need. For the older ones, there’s a dedicated teen lounge, with a Wii, games and TV.
sustainability
The hotel holds a UNESCO sponsored award for its commitment to responsible tourism. It is dedicated to minimising its environmental impact and ensuring that the local community benefits from employment and development.
Location
Tenerife, Canary Islands
On the Costa Adeje in the south west of Tenerife, just 30 minutes from Reina Sofia airport.
