Checking in: Royal Hideaway Corales Villas on Tenerife is a modern, tranquil island getaway

It's fair to say that Tenerife, like other destinations unwillingly and unfairly branded with the ‘Brits abroad’ label, hasn't always been top of the list for people hoping to find a serene and relaxing break from reality. This is largely due to the notorious partying epicentre of the island, Playa de las Americas. Just a twenty minute drive from this land of lairy nights out, however, Barcelo's latest opening, the Royal Hideaway Corales Villas, couldn't be further from this.

The exterior and main pool.

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Hoping to show the lesser-known side of the largest Canary Island, the idea behind the collection of 139 luxurious suites and villas is one that incorporates the celebration of local agriculture and cuisine, sustainability, wellness and relaxation; an ethos of discreet luxury that is embodied by the villas' sleek and minimalist architecture. Designed by Tenerife-based architect Leonardo Omar, the ultra modern, bright white villas provide a striking visual contrast to the surrounding rugged landscape, while simultaneously there is a certain harmony between the two, possibly due to the fact that the resort was partly formed from local stone extracted from the building site.

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After a speedy 20 minute drive from Tenerife South airport, we pulled up to the Royal Hideaway Corales Villas. Tucked away off a winding road with jagged mountains rising dramatically in the background, it felt more as though we had arrived at an exclusive private residence than a hotel - this is no soulless block with endless corridors of rooms. Every element of the design and layout has been thoughtfully considered, with different areas, from the wellness centre and gym, to the bar and restaurants, discreetly revealing themselves around corners and down walled pathways. It all feels pleasingly private and peaceful, yet open and accessible.

A Junior Suite bedroom.

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A Junior Suite bathroom.

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I stayed in a one-bedroom Junior Suite; it has a swim-up pool that can be accessed directly from a private terrace, which is decked out with two sun loungers and a table and chairs. The pool itself is shared with the other Junior Suites on the same level, but it remains tranquil and uncrowded. The interiors are neutral and warm, and combine the clean lines of Scandinavian minimalism with stylish mid-century style furniture. A Japanese-influenced sliding wooden screen separates the bathroom area, which is equipped with a bath, separate shower room and spacious double sink vanity unit. For those wanting a fully private pool, book one of the Villas or Deluxe Suites, which are even bigger: they have either two or three bedrooms and an open-plan kitchen.

A living space in one of the larger Deluxe Suites.

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There are several dining and drinking options options to choose from on-site. The breakfast selection is plentiful, with fresh fruit, local cheese and charcuterie, yoghurt, cereal, and an array of breads and pastries to choose from. Alongside the self-serve counters laid out around the restaurant, there is also an area where chefs will prepare eggs, waffles and more to order. The poached eggs with smoked salmon and avocado are particularly good. And don't miss out on a delicious fresh smoothie.

There are two restaurants at the hotel: Bonfire and Crater. Bonfire offers an informal, a-la-carte approach, whereas Crater positions itself firmly as fine dining (the team hope to achieve a Michelin star soon), with a conceptual set menu entirely based around one of the Canary Islands. We ate a La Palma themed menu, which included exquisitely presented dishes such as blackened, aged tuna with red mojo, and a dessert of goat milk kefir, pineapple and Aldea rum. The storytelling of the meal made it a memorable experience, and one of the highlights of the trip.

At Bonfire we tried a range of dishes, from a divinely melt-in-the-mouth aged beef and goat's milk croquette, to steak tartare and grilled local fish. One of my favourite things I ate was actually the bread: perfectly crusty on the outside, pillowy and full of holes on the inside. Served with the greenest, grassiest olive oil, avocado butter and coarse salt, it was an exercise in carefully selected, high quality ingredients curated well.

Bonfire restaurant.

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Materia Elemental Bar is the place to head to for a pre or post-dinner drink if you're into mixology as an art form. The menu, with cocktails themed around the four elements, is the brainchild of head bartender Yonathan Mesa, who was named Spain’s Cocktail Champion in 2023. Among the most delicious was the Fuego, an alluring concoction of dark rum, spicy banoffee molasses and bitters.

If you stay in one of the suites or villas with kitchen facilities, there are two experiences that can be booked to enjoy privately, from the comfort of your accommodation. These are the ‘Vermouth O’clock' tasting experience (€125 per person) and the ‘Chef in Room SunRice Edition’ paella experience (€250 per person). At the guided vermouth tasting, we tried a range of red and white vermouths, including a homemade one by the Corales Villas bar team. We learnt about the history and tradition of the drink, as well as how it's made. During the paella experience the chef explained the origins of the local ingredients and the traditional process of making a paella, before cooking both a vegetarian and a seafood paella, both of which had surprisingly different, but equally outstanding and complex flavours.

One of the larger private villas with kitchen, where both experiences can be arranged.

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Yoga classes and other activities can be booked using the Barcelo app, and are complimentary to guests. A fully-equipped gym is also free for guests to use. The gentle and relaxing yoga session was the perfect way to start each day of our trip, with natural light flooding through the open ceiling of the tree-lined, wood-panelled studio.

The oasis of the wood-panelled yoga studio.

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The Land House Corales Wellness centre offers a range of personalised treatments for face and body, which are guaranteed to dissipate any laptop-induced shoulder tension and leave you feeling rejuvenated.

A wellness treatment room.

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While it would be very easy to give in completely to the hotel's charms and stay sequestered in this relaxing oasis for the duration of your holiday, for those wanting to venture out, the town of La Caleta is easily reachable via the hotel's free shuttle service, with small boutiques, seafood restaurants and dramatic beaches of black volcanic sand waiting to be discovered.

Rooms at Royal Hideaway Corales Villas start from £350 per night, on a room-only basis.