Iberostar® Hotel Anthelia ★★★★★

Between its tropical forests, barren volcanic slopes and its perfect beaches, Tenerife is undeniably beautiful. Then there are its traditional towns, its modern resorts, its designer stores, its lively carnival and its energetic nightlife, which all make the island an incredibly diverse destination, never dull. Aside from never being boring, it is also never cold – it is known as the ‘Island of Eternal Spring’ and its average high temperatures are over 20oC for every month of the year. All this means it is hard to go wrong with a family holiday in this island paradise, the largest and most popular in the Canary Islands.

It is particularly hard to go wrong with a break at the Iberostar Anthelia, one of the island’s top hotels and a resort where you can find everything you could possibly need to keep the whole family happy, entertained and satisfied. Set on the Costa Adeje, an upmarket stretch of coastline on the south of the island, this enormous five-star hotel treats guests to a privileged location perched on the shores of the Atlantic to go with an incredible range of luxurious facilities and services. This is, however, by no means a soulless and generic all-inclusive resort. Far from it, its architecture is certainly easy on the eye – a series of authentic terracotta-coloured buildings with arches and columns wherever you look, scattered around some luxuriant and leafy exotic gardens.

On the inside, the décor continues to make an impression with its stylish and sophisticated blend of gleaming marble, mosaics, lofty columns, elegant curtains and wood panelling, while its high ceilings and large windows help every room feel bathed in natural light. To complement the palatial look, the bedrooms feature facilities which are fit for a king, including high speed Wi-Fi, satellite TV, quality toiletries, plush bathrobes and more! Best of all, each comes with its own private balcony overlooking the Atlantic, providing views which are sure to live long in the memory.

In a resort which seems to excel at absolutely everything, it is hard to pick out one particular highlight; however, if pushed, it is hard to look beyond the food. The Iberostar Anthelia’s gastronomic offering is perfect for intrepid foodies and families with fussy eaters alike, thanks to the superb choice of restaurants. The Zeus Restaurant serves up buffet breakfasts and dinners: the former features a huge range of hot and cold options and fresh local produce, accompanied by delicious fresh fruit juices including kiwi, banana and strawberry, while the dinner service provides international favourites to cater for every taste as well as fun theme nights. Then there is the Poseidon Gourmet Restaurant, where unique local ingredients are used to create a fine dining experience which offers an authentic taste of Tenerife. For something a little less traditional, the Portofino Italian Restaurant transports diners from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean with its menu of exquisitely prepared Italian classics and its show kitchen. Finally, there are plenty of bars scattered around the swimming pools, serving up tasty snacks and refreshing drinks all day long.

This is not a place to come on a diet then, but there are at least plenty of ways to recover from your epicurean excesses. If you prefer to work up an appetite by relaxing and doing next to nothing, a spot of sunbathing beside the three outdoor swimming pools (one of which is just for adults and two of which are great for families) or on the sandy beach nearby is just the ticket. Alternatively, treat yourself to a few hours of serenity and luxury at the new Thai Zen Space spa, where you can enjoy yoga and meditation sessions or a great selection of massages and treatments using high quality products. Meanwhile, the children will be delighted to play around in one of the three year-round kids clubs, each catering for a specific age group.

If you prefer to fill the gaps between meals by attempting to work off as much of your previous feast as possible, the Iberostar Anthelia has an outstanding variety of sports on offer. Aside from its state of the art gym, there are tennis courts, paddle tennis courts, football, table tennis and more, while the surrounding area is perfect for keen golfers or cyclists, or anyone wishing to try their hand at some diving or water sports. Kids and grownups alike will love throwing themselves into each every one of these activities, with the promise of a cool drink beside the pool or a hearty meal once your energy is spent up. After that, it will be with a full belly, a smile on your face and exhausted legs that you finally retire to your spacious bedroom every evening, and if that isn’t a sign of a perfect family holiday then what is?