During my recent vacation to the Canary Islands, I enjoyed staying at Hotel Botanico, a renowned 5-star luxury resort. Hotel Botanico should not be overlooked if you’re looking for a restful and relaxing getaway while in Santa Cruz de Tenerife!

Hotel Botanico is notable for being part of the Leading Hotels of the World (LHW), a worldwide collection of luxury independent and boutique hotels. To join, you must meet the highest selective standards of service, quality, emphasis on culture, and upscale architectural achievements.

Hotel Botanico has also received numerous sustainability, quality, and luxury awards through domestic and international partners and independent services.

This is my review from one traveler’s perspective for others who may decide to splurge and treat themselves to this fine establishment. 

Hotel Botanico is a perfect respite from the outside world. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or a new wellness spot, I think this should be one of your top choices for those coming to the Canary Islands.

Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Hotel Botanico Location

Address: Calle Richard J. Yeoward, 1, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Hotel Botanico is located in a very popular area of Puerto de la Cruz, one of the top towns in Tenerife. 

The area surrounding the hotel is relatively quiet. Just outside the entrance onto the streets, you will find a few restaurants and bars, a shopping plaza, and a grocery market a few blocks away. Walk around the block to get a feel of the area and familiarize yourself with the surroundings.

Its only downside is that it is not a beachfront property. The nearest beaches require a short taxi ride, or you can take a long stroll down to the boardwalk. 

You will also discover that this is a less family-focused hotel. It caters more towards adults and seniors. Of course, family rooms are available, and the restaurants have children’s menus, but that is it. Any activities for children will be outside of the hotel but can be coordinated with the staff for pick-ups and drop-offs.

As a solo and budget traveler, this was my very first opportunity to stay in a luxury 5-star resort. I didn’t expect that much of a difference in staff, room, and amenities, but once I visited, I noticed the large gap between mid to luxury hotels. It was not only an eye-opener, but now, it is something I have to consider more when traveling if I want to treat myself.

Room

The lowest-priced option is the Double Deluxe or Superior room. You can select to have views of the oriental garden and pools, the town, or the distant ocean. The Superior Room also comes with a private dressing room. They are ideal for 1-2 people, and if you have more, you can select the family option.

When I went, I ended up in the Ambassador Jr. Suite and couldn’t believe how much room and open space I had. It includes a separate shower and bath, a dressing area and closet, some basic furniture, and a desk for company. It also has plenty of lighting and impressive balcony views and is pet-friendly if you bring a companion.

The Senator Suite is the next larger room and offers the same amenities as the Ambassador Jr., including the bathroom perks and furniture, but with doors that separate the bedroom from the living room for more privacy.

The decor may seem a little old-fashioned in terms of color and furniture but think of it as classic instead. The beds are comfortable. The rooms are well-maintained and clean, and the water is hot. All come with the basic amenities of a hotel room, such as USB chargers and a coffee machine. 

Hotel Botanico Facilities

Oriental Garden

The Oriental Gardens are outside the back of the hotel. This stone walking path takes you through their well-maintained subtropical paradise of flora and fauna, with a small bridge and a wooden dock leading out into the garden pond of fish and birds. 

It’s a lovely part of the quiet atmosphere if you want to sit down under the shade of palm trees. If you plan on having a special event here, such as a wedding, this place is perfect for the night as you can watch the whole garden magically light up.

Spa

I like your number of choices for different thermal experiences as part of the Thermal Circuit the Hotel Botanico provides. My go-to was the Japanese Sauna (which I also discovered was unisex once I walked in) with a cool down in their ice temple. But they provide others, such as a naturally scented aromatherapy room and Turkish-style bath, if you are looking for more variety.

The surprise I found was the number of multiple pools, and some of these were for the Oriental Spa experience. Of course, you have your regular heated pool for all hotel users. But next to it, we have two smaller pools with massage jets for muscle relaxation. You can drift off in the moving water.

Past it is a small manmade cave that leads to the jacuzzi when you walk in. I think the whole cave atmosphere with a spiritual statue head gives it a whole different vibe compared to the outside and is an extra treat for you to delight in. But it is small, so if you are looking for some quality alone time, you may have to go either early in the morning or late in the evening to enjoy it alone or with your significant other.

Outside the spa rooms was the indoor heated pool and jacuzzi, with comfortable reclining chairs to drop your things off or just to relax inside. Depending on the time of day, you could find the entire area to yourself or partially crowded.

Hotel Food

In the mornings and afternoons, you can enjoy the hotel’s impressive buffet spread and chef stations with made-to-order meals. Stack your plate(s) with a variety of fruits, cheeses, vegetables, and other standard cuisine. Then, head over to enjoy indoor or outdoor seating with waiting staff ready to take your drink order.

In the evenings, if you aren’t enjoying dinner out in town, several fine-dining restaurants are on the premises. They serve Spanish (La Parrilla), Mediterranean (Il Pappagallo), American Steakhouse (Brunelli’s), and Asian (The Oriental) cuisines. 

You’ll enjoy authentic dishes, with elegant indoor and outdoor seating to tie the whole experience together.

Hotel Botanico Service

The service was excellent. As soon as my taxi reached the entrance from the hotel, porters opened my door and grabbed my luggage to escort me inside. 

The hotel front desk staff was professional the entire time. They answered all of my questions and gave me their own recommendations.

Most of the reviews you will read show that staff went above and beyond to accommodate guests. Of course, you will always find a few that give negative comments for one reason or another but don’t take that to heart. Nobody is perfect.

Value for Money

If you are not overly concerned about reaching or even surpassing your trip budget, the value is worth the cost. You will have access to a world-class spa, gourmet dining, exceptional service, and high-quality rooms and facilities. 

However, Hotel Botanico is for niche luxury travelers who choose service and refinery regardless of cost. 

For a budget traveler looking to make every dollar count, I suggest looking elsewhere unless you plan to visit in the off-season.

Conclusion & Recommendation

I highly recommend Hotel Botanico for your stay. The whole luxury experience is something you really need to think about enjoying at least one time in your life, and why not do it here. It really adds to the overall island paradise getaway, but it’s totally worth it to treat yourself.