Live the high life in Tenerife
Costa Adeje is all about laid--back luxury – and you might bump into the Beckhams
IF it’s good enough for the Beckhams, then it will do just fine for me.
Costa Adeje, one of the newest and most prestigious resorts in Tenerife, is reportedly a favourite of David and Victoria.
And with an array of plush hotels, posh restaurants, and an endless collection of beautiful beaches, the fact it’s classed as celebrity cool comes as little surprise.
The quaint resort on the largest of the Canary Islands has risen out of nowhere.
It started to develop a couple of decades ago, mainly to keep up with demand for holidays in a location which is lucky enough to see the sun all year round.
And it’s now a definite contender with the island’s popular resorts of Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos – although Adeje is a little quieter and a bit more upmarket.
Surrounded by a backdrop of stunning volcanic hills, Costa Adeje is not only visually pleasing, but the laid-back vibe makes it the perfect place to kick back, relax and soak up some sun.
While I’d imagine the Beckhams live it up in an exclusive villa complete with butler when they visit, we settled for the more modest Playa Real.
The all-inclusive 3-starplus hotel is a firm favourite with families. And my guess is the kids play park, tennis courts, splash pools and mini club might have something to do with that.
Travelling with a toddler in tow ourselves, having these little luxuries right on the doorstep certainly made for a much more enjoyable break.
Our spacious and contemporary one-bed apartment was an ideal base for exploring the resort, most of which is possible on foot. But you are likely to face a steep incline or two on the way back to your hotel.
If you find it a struggle, you can always jump in a taxi.
They’re in plentiful supply and will take you pretty much anywhere in Costa Adeje for just a couple of euros.
The picture-perfect black sand beaches of Playa Torviscas, Playa de Fanabe and Playa la Pintas to name a few are just a leisurely 15-minute walk from our hotel.
We spent endless hours watching the waves roll in with nothing but a couple of books and a bucket and spade for company.
Our little one loved building sandcastles and paddling in the sea which, surprisingly, was warmer than the pool at the hotel.
But if you like to chill in more glamorous surroundings, Kaluna Beach Club – where the contestants of TV dating show Take Me Out have been known to sample a tipple or two – is definitely worth a visit.
The terrace bar, which sits under a lighthouse, overlooks a super-sized infinity pool and guests are serenaded by a saxophone player.
For those who prefer to be on their feet, the traffic-free prom, which runs from Los Cristianos through Playa de las Americas and Costa Adeje and on to La Caleta, is perfect for a long stroll.
Hiking trails taking you into Mount Teide National Park, home to the world’s third largest volcano and an area of outstanding natural beauty, will present more of a challenge.
Take a cable car over the summit for some spectacular views.
However, we preferred to keep our feet on the ground.
Well, mostly. The slides at Siam Park, Europe’s largest waterpark, were our biggest achievement in the vertical stakes.
All in all, a great day out for thrillseekers of any age.
It’s just one of the many theme parks on the island, including Aqualand, Loro Parque and Jungle Park.
Family fun aside, there’s nothing I love more on holiday than a bit of shopping – and Costa Adeje has it in droves.
From Ray-Bans and Rolex to Mulberry and Michael Kors, there’s no shortage of dodgy designer goods on offer for the price of a few cocktails.
But if the real deal is more your bag, head to the glitzy Plaza del Duque, one of the most exclusive shopping experiences on the island.
With thousands of twinkling fairy lights at night, it’s a gorgeous setting for a drink or two after the sun goes down.
It’s set near the sunning medieval El Duque castle, which is absolutely worth a visit itself.
It’s easy to see why Costa Adeje is fast becoming a celeb hotspot, but it’s really a holiday destination in easy reach, whatever your budget.