Hotel AF Valle Orotava ★★★★

On the north coast of Tenerife, you’ll stumble upon volcanic, black sandy beaches, mountainous terrain, and green meadows. To the west of Puerto de la Cruz, the Loro Parque zoo is home to gorillas, tigers ad penguins, while on the seafront, Lago Martianez boasts an impressive artificial seawater lake with a below sea level casino. An 18th century fort, the Bateria de Santa Barbara overlooks the quaint harbour and fishing pier. Puerto de la Cruz, as you’ll soon discover is rich in natural beauty and things to see and do.

Hotel AF Valle Orotava, in the heart of the city, boasts modern facilities with air conditioning and Wi-Fi in the rooms. My double room was cosy and warm, in shades of cream and grey, with light wooden floors and furnishings. The open bathroom plan was unique, as was the faux grass on the balcony that overlooked the sea. I’d wake in the morning to the fresh sea breeze and make myself a toasty cup of coffee from my handy little coffee machine.

From the pool, I would melt under the swelting sun, desperately trying to build a tan, interrupted by fleeting dips into the pool water to cool down. The blue skies on the horizon and the sound of birds reminded me of how grateful I was to have the luxury to relax in such an idyllic setting. The 24-hour front desk means you can ask about local gems and nearby attractions at any time of the day, there I was recommended to visit the lush botanical garden and the seawater pools of Lago Martianez.

The island of Tenerife, although I mostly stayed in one corner of the island, is worth a visit, even if just to see the scenery, the black sand and sample the sea-inspired cuisine.