Hotel San Roque

Hotel description

Geographically speaking, a holiday in the Canary Islands is already pretty much by definition an exercise in getting away from it all. But you’ve got to choose wisely — there are parts of Tenerife that are so thoughtlessly overdeveloped as to leave you wondering why you bothered at all. Luckily, when you need a vacation from your vacation, there are options available — a little extra effort is amply rewarded by a place like the Hotel San Roque, in the north-side town of Garachico.

The charming old building’s been left pretty much as it was, while the interiors have been updated with contemporary finishes and modernist furnishings. Rooms are smart, comfortable and spacious enough, stylish but not ostentatious. There’s art everywhere, from a selection of modern Spanish artists, and most of the furniture comes with an impeccable design pedigree.

Garachico is Tenerife’s old port town, and the San Roque sits at the city’s edge, a comfortable walk from the old town, with views of the sea, the surrounding countryside, and the snow-capped Teide peak. There’s plenty of golf to be played, as well as sea-going diversions like diving and deep-sea fishing — it’s the pool deck, however, that is the focus of most guests’ attention.