First impressions of this stunning vision coming off the road from the airport: WOW!
Visualise the sun shimmering off a fairytale palace against a backdrop of brooding, majestic mountains, looking down to the cerulean sea. It quite literally took my breath away.
The entrance is palatial, an open plan atrium boasting soaring ceilings with a magnificent chandelier, silver leather banquettes, recliners and even a Bali bed, water features creating a sense of calm and coolness on the hottest day. The liberal use of natural materials, marble, slate, stone and Canarian volcanic rock grounds the opulence of the lavish fittings into a pleasing melange of luxury and comfort.
The rooms and suites are arranged in squares around gardens of local plants and heady blooms And that’s the ambience; unhurried, lounge-around luxury where you immediately cast aside the mundane and begin to enjoy your well-earned vacation!
Gran Meliá is an outstanding luxury brand under the Meliá global umbrella and we expected nothing less than top class comfort and elegance – our suite was bigger than my apartment in London, the space was almost decadent; we had a balcony with a chaise and a view of the ocean, spotless linens, marble throughout; elegant with a separate seating area and little touches such as complementary wine and water, everything you would need for an enjoyable stay. The suites are arranged around luscious gardens of palms and succulents, a pleasure to stroll to your door.
Allow me to walk you through the exclusive, yet inclusive resort. Alert: I may run out of superlatives!
Once settled in my suite, I decided to explore this vast complex of bliss, armed with my essential trusty map. I estimated it would take an hour to traverse the extensive gardens, to acclimatise myself with the pools and other facilities. How delightfully wrong I was! I was distracted by the quiet spots around every corner, down every set of steps, discovering new and exciting places. There were water features with lilies and fragrant blooms, gorgeous gardens, even designated areas of tranquillity.
The resort also boasts exclusive private villas complete with a butler and private pool on the adults- only Red level as well as family suites.
Despite the hotel being busy, I encountered few fellow guests on my travels; most were reclining by the many pools!
The whole resort is set in indulgent layers and when peeled back, cater for adults and families seamlessly. The hotel and grounds are substantial and abundant but there is also a sense of intimacy, especially in the adults-only Red area. It is possible to find solitude then take a short stroll to the lively main area and beyond to activities for families and children. Less-abled persons are also catered for – wheelchair ramps and lifts, easy pool access
I noted an eclectic mix of guests of all ages, many families, with a comprehensive entertainment program for both adults and children. We met a serene lady finishing up her last glass of cava before going to pick up her 3 young children from the supervised kids’ club. She said it was rare for her to be so peaceful whilst on holiday with her brood, not only possible here, but encouraged!
There are so many swimming pools on the complex, the universal absolute favourite is the infinity pool – the biggest in Europe -the gentle slope allows access for persons less able. There is a fun children’s pool with inflatables for the little ones, as well as lifeguards, and others exclusively for adults with Jacuzzis and recliners alongside set in lush gardens.
Many of the resort’s 10 restaurants are arranged around a cool, open-plan central square, embellished with fountains, channelling your focus to the azure sea just beyond.
All guests come together in the main square for evening entertainment All the restaurants are of great quality, some are for adults only such as the jewel in the crown, Dos Naifes which I would say deserves the equivalent of a Michelin star, boasting handpicked staff, especially the personable Vanessa who worked in exclusive restaurants in London.
She illuminated the courses, lovingly prepared by the two chefs Jorge Penate and Luis Martin, celebrating local sustainable offerings from the mountains (Corte Volcanico) and the sea (Corte Atlántico). My companion and I opted for the volcanico menu, a tasting menu of 9 courses including artisanal cured fish, sliced so delicately that it was almost irreverent to eat it, but since the accompaniment was organic banana peel sourdough bread flavoured with pumpkin and beetroot, it disappeared pretty quickly!
Delicate seafood, my favourites being the crab ravioli as well as the bluefin tuna belly on pea puree with sauteed sea chorizo and red prawns from Lanzarote. We had a refreshing Canarian white wine Mar de Nubes to refresh the palate and prickly pear cactus and petit fours for dessert. The presentation I can only describe as artwork, on local earthenware and even volcanic platters that had been heated in the sun. Not just an epicurean triumph but visually striking and all with the sunset view of Gomera and las Palmas and the sound of the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. A truly spectacular setting where we were privileged to witness a special family occasion – the suitor’s proposal of marriage to the daughter in front of her parents (happily she accepted!)
After a lovely dining experience, we had a night cap in the bar with a fire pit overlooking the square. There was a pleasing contralto singer belting out familiar anthems from the 90s, everyone, children and adults alike, dancing enthusiastically in the warm, beautifully lit evening.
After a restful night’s repose, we attended the finest breakfast buffet ever at Pangea, overlooking a large pond of mature and inquisitive Koi carp connected to a gently flowing stream with a little bridge. Birdsong accompaniment to the best start of the day, open till an accommodating 10.30. The countless options encourage healthy eating, but you can still get a full English, all food is fresh and much is locally sourced.
Putting aside the sheer size and opulence of the Palacio de Isora, the location and the ambience, the ubiquitous marble, the biggest asset is the staff. Multilingual, quietly able, pleasant and considerate, with a genuine love for their roles. Dunia, the accomplished sales manager, took the trouble to greet us at reception and talk us through the concept of the resort.
The concierge took us on a detour to our suite through the Koi lake gardens and pointed out the best pools and the promenade beyond the hotel; the waiters were noticeably proud and knowledgeable about the food they served; Beltrán, whose job title eludes me, but who laughingly accepted the label of Wellness Manager that I bestowed upon him, told us the hotel has a complement of 800 staff whilst there are 590 rooms and suites. Such is Gran Meliá’s commitment to guests’ wellbeing.
The idyllic gardens alone require an army of green-fingered maintenance staff!
My companion compared the hotel resort as like being on the world’s most luxurious cruise but without the sailing. The sheer area of the grounds is almost decadent. It took me most of the day to walk around exploring, as every time I turned a corner, another tranquil pool, seating area, gentle flower lined pathway appeared, and of course we could not pass by the Red Area for adults only without sipping on a glass of perfectly dry Cordoníu blanco and nibble on local seafood, would be rude not to.
Finally, my dear reader and fellow epicurean, both my companion and I are planning to return to the Palacio de Isora in the autumn, with our families. The proof of the pudding, indeed.
@granmeliapalaciodeisora | melia.com
Av. de Los Oceanos, 38686 Alcalá, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
