The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama

“An unforgettable experience”

We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Tenerife for two nights during our bank holiday. We chose the hotel due to its reasonable pricing for the Ritz-Carlton brand and its affiliation with the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. Overall, it was a stay of perfection. The attention to detail and the level of com… more

We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Tenerife for two nights during our bank holiday. We chose the hotel due to its reasonable pricing for the Ritz-Carlton brand and its affiliation with the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. Overall, it was a stay of perfection. The attention to detail and the level of comfort the hotel provides are next level. We didn't want to leave at the end of our visit and will definitely return for future holidays. Getting into the specifics: Welcome: Before our arrival, we were contacted via email by the hotel manager, João, to ask about special accommodations. Upon arrival, we were surprised to find João greeting us at reception; he handled our check-in while maintaining a lovely, warm conversation. Our Marriott Bonvoy Titanium status was recognized, and we were upgraded from a regular room to a Retreat room. While we didn't fully understand the upgrade at the time, it provided a special level of care within the retreat suites. Waiting in our room was a thoughtful welcome gift: a full bottle of good-quality red wine and a cheese platter—a perfect touch since we arrived late and missed dinner. Room: Our king-size retreat room was incredibly spacious and featured a breathtaking ocean view. The space was tastefully decorated, spotlessly clean, and perfectly maintained. It was a calming, relaxing environment. The bathroom was well-stocked with toiletries for any need, and the bed was large and comfortable, featuring top-quality linens. The minibar was well-stocked and available. Note that the hotel is located on a steep hill; keep this in mind if you have difficulty walking, though buggy service is available upon request. Location: The hotel is a 30-minute drive from Tenerife South Airport. Its location is somewhat isolated, as it is positioned as a resort you might never want to leave. However, with a rental car, you can explore the surrounding areas and the southwest part of the island. Abama Beach was easily reachable via the shuttle service and was a decent beach. Hotel Amenities: The hotel features many large swimming pools, so it never feels overcrowded and always provides a personal experience. The retreat area is excellent, offering soft drinks, wine, and beer even though the stay is not all-inclusive. There are also snack hours, which are very handy when you're hungry but don't want a full meal. Additionally, staff occasionally distribute snacks and drinks around the pool area. Everything is very well thought out; you can even find sunscreen by the pool if you didn't pack a large bottle in your carry-on. Dining: We enjoyed wonderful breakfasts in the retreat area, which offered a wide range of tasty options; it was a pleasure to have a relaxed breakfast overlooking the ocean each morning. Dinner options were impressive, featuring two Michelin-starred restaurants. The only issue is that all restaurants feel high-end, require pre-booking, and have a dress code, which can be stressful if you aren't looking for that style of dining. That said, there is a huge range of options for in-room dining. It is also worth mentioning that restaurant prices are quite high compared to those elsewhere on the island. Spa: We were offered one-time spa access. It was a gorgeous facility complete with whirlpools, hot and cold rooms, cold plunges, and more. The state of the spa was top-notch, and we truly enjoyed it during the quiet morning of our last day. Activities: The hotel offers yoga and exercise classes throughout the day and provides a huge gym with both indoor and outdoor spaces. The yoga class was excellent; it turned into a private session as I was the only attendee. However, the location of the classes was a bit difficult to find within the hotel, so some guidance on the hotel map during check-in would be beneficial. Service: The service was truly exceptional. Rooms were cleaned regularly, and the staff was always happy to accommodate any requests. There is also access to a hotel ambassador, though we didn't utilize this service. The only thing missing was the ability to use the "request services" chat option on the Marriott Bonvoy app. That feature really eases access to hotel staff, and we would be grateful if that were offered in the future. Overall, it was an incredible stay, and we will definitely return. We would like to send a special thanks to João, who went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and comfortable. It is an excellent getaway if you are looking for calm and rejuvenation.

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“A disappointing visit”

We have been staying at The Abama since 2018 and continue to return because of the setting and most importantly, the exceptional service we have experienced over the years. Unfortunately, this visit got off to a disappointing start. We arrived at lunchtime and were happy to spend time at The Retre… more

We have been staying at The Abama since 2018 and continue to return because of the setting and most importantly, the exceptional service we have experienced over the years. Unfortunately, this visit got off to a disappointing start. We arrived at lunchtime and were happy to spend time at The Retreat while waiting for our room. However, communication around our room readiness was poor and when we were finally advised that the room was ready, it was a room further out from the pool so not as expected. This led to several hours of further waiting and being moved between different locations, creating a frustrating and loss of first afternoon. After travelling, it was not the welcome we had come to expect from The Abama. That said, following our initial feedback, the management team reached out and listened to our concerns, working hard to recover the situation. We appreciate the personal attention and genuine efforts made to put things right during the remainder of our stay, which went a long way towards restoring our confidence in the resort. There are also a few wider changes worth noting. The Retreat experience did not feel quite the same as in previous years. The tapas-style snack offering appears to have been reduced, with previous paella and hot options no longer available. Access and opening times also seemed more restrictive, with certain restaurants closed due to renovation work, meaning there was less opportunity to enjoy the facilities as we have in the past. This seems to be a pattern around May/early June time as this is the 2nd time that restaurants have not been open during our visit so worth bearing in mind and checking with the team before booking. Despite these changes and the disappointing arrival experience, we still enjoyed our time there. The resort is tranquil and the accommodation is excellent.

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