For many, winter can bring feelings of stress, exhaustion, jealousy and anxiety about the goals you haven’t smashed. Team Coco are no strangers to the life of hustle and dreaming big, but we’re also advocates of being kind to yourself and making space for self-reflection, not –criticism.
If you’re feeling the seasonal blues chipping away at your sense of self, let us prescribe a remedy – a dose of winter sun and the choice of two excellent Iberostar resorts, nestled on the south side of Tenerife.
Tenerife, a stunning volcanic island with a climate to match, has a certain reputation thanks to the hordes of British holidaymakers that descend on its fishbowl cocktails and banana boats in the summer. As fun as that is, we’re talking R&R not 2-4-1, so off season is what you’re after, when the temperatures still sit in the low 20s with six hours of sunshine.
Tenerife, of course, is a beautiful island to explore. Taking a cable car up Mount Teide, trekking Masca Valley, exploring the natural pools near Garachico or the colourful streets of UNESCO heritage site San Cristóbal de la Laguna – the options would excite even the most seasoned international jetsetter. Plus, the island is only four hours away by plane. Sometimes though, it pays to quieten the overactive traveller in our mind (you’ve got one too, right?) and take some time for ourselves or with our loved ones.
The Family Escape – Iberostar Anthelia
We have to be honest, we often see ‘all inclusive’ as the lazy traveller’s option and are sceptical about the quality of food and the watered-down bevvies. Iberostar blew those pre-conceptions out of the water. We’re here to take a morning swim in the sparkling pool, bask in the pine-scented breeze, catch up on our reading list, take in a family friendly show and melt in the spa. While the pace is not the crazy city-break caffeine bender we’re often on – there’s more than enough to keep even the most overactive mind busy as you submit, slowly but surely, to the island’s rhythm.
The Iberostar Anthelia is a glorious, Canarian town styled resort with direct, palm tree-lined access to Fañabe Beach. Fully equipped for your next family group trip, the hotel gardens feature adults’ and kids’ relaxation areas, a ‘sad-I’m-not-short-enough’ pirate ship themed play area, a stunningly finished pool and, most importantly, five restaurants and three bars.
Of course, we have the decadent, extensive, all-inclusive buffet of dreams to tuck into but there’s also the opportunity to enjoy local cuisine at the à la carte Barbacoa (get the Papas Negras early on in your stay – you’ll want to devour as many of these delicious potatoes as you can while on the island).
If you are a newcomer to resort break life, you may worry that cabin fever will take hold, but the size of the resort and its smart design means that it has a different feel from morning to evening. The ease of gliding down from your room to the beautifully lit outside tables, overlooking the ocean for a dinner that’s already been paid for (thanks, past you!), beats chasing down a taxi any day.
The ‘Week Away With the Girls’ – Iberostar Sábila
In contrast to the Iberostar Anthelia, the Sábila property is adults only, so a very classy kid-free vibe abounds. It’s a slick, mainline-Spain hotel, which provides a luxury base in close proximity to the beaches and the tackier joys of Costa Adeje – we can heavily recommend the Pirate Mini Golf with bar…
The hotel is newly refurbished and the investment of more than €40m is evident in the beautiful design and innovative all-inclusive concepts. This is the perfect locale for an escape with your girls – or even a refreshing solo jaunt. When Team Coco checked out the property last winter, we bumped into a friend enjoying some winter rays and a digital detox before steeling herself for the madness of a family Christmas. Smart cookie.
The hotel is named after the Arabic word for aloe, a plant that’s prevalent in Tenerife, so we felt it would be rude not to try out a signature treatment in the hotel’s small but perfectly formed spa. After relaxing into your massage, why not lounge by the pool with a smoothie and smirk to yourself about how cold and miserable it is back home?
The real selling point for us on the Sábila is the ridiculously good food. The buffet restaurant would satisfy pretty much anyone, and the Café Bar offers a fully gluten-free menu. From Wednesdays to Sundays, the hotel brings to life a bustling city centre food market atmosphere. Seven food stalls whip up everything from freshly prepared local tapas to mouth-watering sushi platters. Add in a live DJ, a bar with premium spirits and a generous pour, and you won’t believe this can be part of your ‘all-inclusive package’.
For an added sparkle to your escape, you could also upgrade to the hotel’s Star Prestige premium service, with the choice of more spacious rooms and personalised check-in and check-out. This package also grants you access to the Sábila’s exclusive Star Prestige Sky Lounge with Bali beds clustered around a private pool, jacuzzi and two sun terraces. We’re dreaming of it just typing these words…
IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts is a holiday hotel chain founded by Fluxà family founded in Palma de Mallorca in 1986. As a member of the IBEROSTAR GROUP, one of Spain’s top tourist groups with over 60 years of history, IBEROSTAR Hotels &Resorts currently boasts over 110 four- and five-star hotels in 17 countries around the globe.
For further information: www.iberostar.com
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