Having reviewed many hotels in the Canary Islands, it takes a lot to surprise me. Ecohotel El Agua, at the edge of one of eastern Tenerife’s prettiest (and sleepiest) historic villages, provided one of those rare moments. Beyond the whitewashed walls of a 19th-century farmhouse, my mind scrambled for the right words to describe the expanse of pale, pebbly terraces decorated with unglazed earthenware, towering dry-stone walls and sentinels of conifers.
As I sat on one of the rustic, ivy-strewn Bali beds, I took in the birdsong, the designer landscape, and most of all, the utter serenity. Behind and above stood Villa Olivo, a one-bedroom ‘retreat within a retreat’. This striking villa (the only accommodation at the moment) has a minimalist, stone-inspired interior and a saltwater infinity pool overlooking the whole estate. There are olive groves, a cave restaurant, an underground spa and al fresco yoga areas where holistic wellbeing is served through meditation, detoxing, personal training and breathwork. In that short moment of seated contemplation, those words to describe the experience of Ecohotel El Agua came to me: a bespoke journey back to purity amidst biblical-chic surroundings. Who wouldn’t be surprised to find this in Tenerife!
Highs
- An excellent organic vegan and vegetarian restaurant set deep in a cave
- The deep sense of serenity, space and isolation
- The underground spa with a hammam, sauna, massage area and sunken hot tub
- The tailored wellbeing offerings including yoga and meditation in a cave studio or a sun terrace, and you get a medical check-up on arrival
- Sustainability measures include water recycling, solar panels, eco cleaning products, rainwater harvesting
Lows
- The nearest bars and restaurants are in a neighbouring village (a 15-minute walk)
- Meals have to be ordered 48 hours prior to arrival, and breakfast is not included in the rates
- A stay here can be pricey, but you get a huge amount of space, good facilities, and considered design
- There’s limited accommodation at the moment (though capacity for up to 16 is planned), so it's just you and the staff
Best time to go
If you’re looking for a complete cut-off from the frenzy of modern life and the gloom of cold weather, winter (Nov-Feb) still sees average highs of around 22C. Spring (Mar-May) is the time to come when the temps are not extreme, but the floral colours are turned up to max.
Our top tips
Take advantage of the epigenetic testing to fine tune your genetic regulation. It’s a relatively new science and is exclusive on the island to Ecohotel El Agua. It analyses any imbalances within your body caused by environmental and external factors including a lack of vitamins/minerals, overuse of mobile phones and the presence of heavy metals etc. In essence it's the ultimate nature/nurture reset.
- Wellness Hotel
- 1 villa for 2
- Self-catering + restaurant on site
- Over 16s only
- Open all year
- Heated Pool
- Spa
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
- Laundry Service
Rooms
At the moment, there's only one accommodation option – La Oliva, a one-bedroom stone dwelling, converted from a wine-grower's home. It's a beautiful hideaway to hole up in, tucked away in a top corner of the property, with views of the landscaped terraces. Inside is all minimalist, smooth stone styling decorated in beige and brown tones. There’s a lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows, an open kitchen, a double bedroom with queensize bed, and ensuite facilities including a shower and a wash basin. Stone plinths and billowing drapes add a Romanesque vibe. Features include a Smart TV, a coffee machine and gym weights.
Patio doors open to a large (250 sq.m), pebbled garden featuring a dining area, terrace, and running water trickling into a decorative trough. Beyond this lies a heated, saltwater infinity pool, all yours to enjoy, with chill-out cushions overlooking the gardens. You get a truly wabi-sabi vibe of natural materials, earthy textures and soft serenity.
Features include:
- Coffee / tea making
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Radio
- Safe box
- Satellite TV
- WiFi
Eating
In addition to self-catering facilities in your kitchen, there's a romantic on-site restaurant set deep inside a cave. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are offered here for an additional set-price cost, and it's all vegan or vegetarian.
For breakfast, the huevos rancheros with guacamole, bean cream and a house sauce was a particular favourite. You can choose to eat it in the restaurant, but I opted to dine in the privacy of my terrace at the villa.
For lunch, you get a choice of four dishes (starter, main, salad, dessert) from an extensive menu plus a house-made hot infusion drink of medicinal plants from the garden, and a cold drink such as a detox smoothie. I opted for the harvest kimchi with mango and basil crackers, then the lentil and beetroot burger with baked vegetables, and a pad thai salad on the side – which sounds like a lot, but it was so light and fresh. Dinner involves the same menus as lunch, and after skipping starters, I chose the mega wrap with spinach falafel and guacamole, followed by the delicate vanilla and papaya mousse. The standard was very high, with the only downside being that meals had to be ordered 48 hours prior to arrival.
Your kitchen comes with the usual appliances, and tea, coffee, oil, seasonings, spices, cleaning products, sugar and milk are provided on arrival. You can order seasonal and organic products including fruit, veg and eggs sourced from a local farm, with a 48hr notice period, and you can also buy groceries in Arico Viejo, which is 500m away.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Chef on request
- Coffee maker
- Dinner by arrangement
- Food blender
- Fridge
- Hob or stove
- Kitchenette
- Lunch by arrangement
- Microwave
- Oven
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Indulge in one of the in-house fitness, meditation, detox, or a huge range of spa programmes including hot stone and anti-stress massages, reflexology, lymphatic drainage, anti-aging and botanical facials, couples and hydrotherapy experiences
- We like the sound of the 2-hour spa experience for two which includes the hammam, sauna, Jacuzzi, cold water immersion and aromatherapy
- Take an interactive farm-to-table Show Cooking masterclass with the hotel chef, from harvesting ingredients from the garden to preparing a meal; choose from vegan, raw vegan or vegetarian options
- Participate in Wim Hof breathwork and ice bath exercises
- Go on a guided tour of the local Cumbres de Abona winery (10 minutes’ drive)
- Spend a day at the beach at Playa Grande in the village of El Poris, or snorkel in Abades, or windsurf in El Medano (15 to 30 minutes' drive)
- Visit the Pyramids of Güimar (30 minutes by car)
- Rent a bike and explore the countryside and neighbouring village of Arico Viejo, and local subtropical valleys; biking is especially popular in the winter
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cooking classes
- Cycling
- Historical sites
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Well being
- Windsurfing
- Wine tasting
- Yoga
Kids
Ecohotel El Agua is not suitable for children.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Ecohotel El Agua is located at the edge of Arico El Nuevo, a hillside village on Tenerife's east coast. It has ocean views from some of the higher points.
By Air:
It lies 27 km from Tenerife South. Tenerife North is about an hour's drive. The hotel offers an airport transfer.
By Car:
A car is essential for sightseeing. There's no specific parking spaces on property but parking is easy nearby. See our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Tenerife South Airport 27.0 km TFS
- Tenerife North Airport 60.0 km TFN
Other:
- Beach 6.5 km
- Shops 0.5 km
- Restaurant 1.0 km