The Barcelo Royal Hideaway Corales Beach is a quietly radical resort on Tenerife that rewrites the island’s established narrative of volume tourism. By India Dowley

Tenerife is quietly shedding its reputation for mass-market vacations. Long associated with volume tourism, the island has been investing in architecture, gastronomy and sustainability-led hospitality, repositioning itself for travellers seeking winter sun without the package-holiday feel.

LOCATION

Few hotels reflect this shift as clearly as the adults-only Barcelo Royal Hideaway Corales Beach. Set on the western edge of Costa Adeje, it fronts the Atlantic with uninterrupted sea views and a coastal path that drifts gently into La Caleta. On clear days, you can see La Gomera offshore. This is Tenerife at its chicest – and most expensive.

ETHOS

Designed by Tenerife-born architect Leonardo Omar, the building takes its cue from a grand ocean liner docked on land. Long horizontal lines, layered decks and gentle curves pull the eye towards the sea – a maritime reference that feels deliberate but never overstated.

Sustainability is built in rather than bolted on. Natural light and ventilation reduce energy demand, while solar panels and geothermal systems supply much of the hotel’s power. Pools use saline filtration, landscaped areas rely on drip irrigation, and water use is tightly managed throughout. Electric vehicle charging, low-impact maintenance and partnerships with local producers reinforce the hotel’s forward-looking approach. It’s often cited as one of Spain’s smartest buildings and, unusually, the claim holds up.

Part of Spain's Barcelo Hotel Group, the Royal Hideaway sub-brand ecompasses 12 high-end hotels – mostly in Spain, but with a few in Mexico, Indonesia and the Dominican Republic as well.

The Royal Hideaway Corales Beach is very much a resort – a word we tend to approach cautiously – but not in the pejorative sense. There’s no all-inclusive energy or crowd-driven feel. Scale works in your favour here: you get space and calm, and it doesn’t feel generic.

GUEST PERSONAS

Couples, solo travellers and long-weekenders drawn by year-round sun and a hotel that’s thoughtful rather than overcrowded. Many guests return annually, using Corales Beach as a seasonal reset – familiar, tranquil and dependable. Ages vary, but the mindset is consistent: guests who value breathing room, good design and a grown-up atmosphere.

INTERIOR DESIGN

Interiors follow the same maritime logic as the architecture. They are fluid and open, with long sightlines, expansive terraces and carefully framed sea views. Materials are restrained and tactile – stone, wood and glass – chosen to age well rather than grab attention. Public areas are arranged like decks, encouraging movement between inside and out, sun and shade. The concept is clear, without feeling forced.

ROOMS

There are 121 suites – all of which are enormous, with layouts that feel architectural rather than conventionally hotel-like. A partition wall separates the bathroom and sleeping areas, keeping the layout open and bright while providing structure.

The palette leans white, softened with blues and neutral tones drawn from sea and sky. Floor-to-ceiling windows and broad terraces amplify the sense of openness, while interiors remain uncluttered and self-assured. Bathrooms match the scale, with walk-in showers and deep standalone tubs. In ocean-facing rooms, the changing light becomes part of the experience – gentle in the morning, glowing by evening.

DINING

Dining is a cornerstone of the hotel. Corales Beach is home to San-Hô, the Michelin-starred restaurant led by brothers Juan Carlos and Jonathan Padrón, where Japanese and Peruvian techniques meet Canarian produce. Elsewhere, the focus remains local. Zero-kilometre ingredients are prioritised, fishermen and bio-farms supply the kitchens, and one bar commits entirely to regional spirits. Breakfast is generous and unhurried, setting the tone for the day.

WELLNESS

The spa is a highlight. Expansive and well-designed, it includes a large pool, sauna, steam room and cold plunge, alongside a treatment programme that feels serious rather than decorative. It’s somewhere you’ll want to linger.

SERVICE

Service is warm and unshowy. The team greet returning guests with warmth, and day-to-day interactions feel relaxed and accommodating. Tasting menus and high-end dining experiences come with appropriate flourish.

VERDICT

Corales Beach offers a version of Tenerife that feels measured, modern and grown-up. Architecturally distinctive, genuinely sustainable and anchored by serious dining, it shows how the island is evolving beyond its old reputation. This is what a resort looks like when intelligence and restraint take precedence over volume – proof that Tenerife can do sophisticated as convincingly as it does sunshine.

Rates at Royal Hideaway Corales Beach start from £346 per night on a room-only basis.