Arrecife Gran Hotel & SPA ★★★★★

Our arrival brought us to a tall imposing building, the only hotel on the beach, reflecting the colours of the sand and the sea. The reception area, indeed, the whole building, is fresh, clean, bright, and modern. An airy openness creates an impression of lightness and vitality – a perfect reminder that we had arrived in the world’s best climate.

Our room had a balcony overlooking the sea and the stunning volcanic mountains beyond, a symbol of the famous ‘Island of Fire’. Satellite TV, Wi-Fi, coffeemaker, phone and a lovely parquet floor gave us all the comforts of home and more. The bathroom was good, with bathrobe, lots of free toiletries and a fantastic shower. Buffet breakfast in the morning had a great choice of fresh food and local delicacies to try, and then we were happily set up for a day of exploring.

Back in the hotel, after a rest and freshen up, we were ready for dinner. We headed off to the Alarz Bahia Club. The food is exceptional. With a diverse plethora of international dishes, we both had our hunger satisfied. Later we had a night-cap on the hotel terrace where you can watch the sun go down behind the range of volcanic mountains, making a glorious technicolour palette of the mountains and the sea. Later starlight winks on the surface of the water and the moon lights its eternal path on the gentle waves.

Next day, we decided on something even more adventurous than a shopping trip. My husband, brave soul, opted for a snorkelling experience and returned full of delight at the marine life in such abundance and variety – he said it was one of the best experiences he had ever had. I was perfectly content with some snorkelling on the surface and even that was amazing, with lots of different colours and types of fish and other sea life. It was lovely watching the shoals of tiny fish near the surface of he water darting and turning and swirling, each tiny body in perfect synchrony with the others and all of them moving like one graceful body. Really awesome!

I rounded off my birthday treat with a day of luxury pampering in the spa where I tried the sauna and lovely relaxing massage. The best climate in the world, certainly. Also one of the most memorable birthday treats ever, and the regret at leaving at the end of our holiday was tempered by the consolation that there are more birthdays to come …