La Hondura, 8, Puerto de Santiago, Spain | (888) 989-6591
Quiet location by the sea and across the road from a few shops and restaurants
Stunning views of Los Gigantes cliffs from most of the property
Elegant rooms and suites, all with balconies and most with spectacular ocean views
Large outdoor pool area with three pools and a whirlpool hot tub
Buffet restaurant plus a la carte tapas restaurant and three bars
Gorgeous U by Barcelo Spa with hydrotherapy circuit and Technogym fitness center
Large soccer pitch with archery area
On-site garage parking for a fee
Free Wi-Fi throughout
On the ocean, but no beach
A la carte restaurant only open twice weekly
Fitness center and room service hours are limited
Safes in rooms cost extra
Barcelo Santiago is a four-pearl resort hotel with 412 guest rooms and the boutiquey atmosphere of a much smaller hotel. Its location up against the sea is superb, and though there's no beach -- just a lovely outdoor deck with three pools and a whirlpool hot tub -- most rooms and common areas have uninterrupted views of the ocean. All-inclusive and half-board meal plans are available at the main buffet restaurant, and there's an a la carte restaurant (not included) open twice a week. The spa here is particularly noteworthy, with a hydrotherapy circuit that's illuminated with multicolored lights to give it a mystical appeal. Travelers looking for an even quieter getaway may want to head inland to the Hotel Spa Villalba, en route to Mount Teide, which has an equally impressive spa and free buffet breakfast.
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Scene
Quiet, upscale resort hotel with the look and feel of a boutique property
Opened in 1986 and partially renovated in 2007, Barcelo Santiago is a quiet, upscale getaway that feels like a boutique hotel despite having nearly 500 guest rooms. It attracts mostly British and German guests; lots of couples stay here throughout the year and families arrive in summer and during Christmas break. The sleek lobby features turquoise and beige tiled floors, low bench seating, and a huge photo mural of the cliffs of Los Gigantes. A "history corner" provides photos and info about the hotel's construction and renovations, and a pair of elevators ferry guests to rooms (the lobby sits at the middle of the nine-story complex.) The overall vibe is sophisticated and adult, even out on the mezzanine-level deck where three pools and a lovely palapa-shaded bar are located alongside a row of lounge chairs with views overlooking the sea.
Location
Overlooking the ocean on a quiet street, across from shops and restaurants
Barcelo Santiago is located on the western coast of Tenerife in Acantilados de los Gigantes, about a half-hour drive north of Playa de la Americas and Los Cristianos. The area is quiet overall, with less nightlife than in the busier southern parts of the island, but there are lots of small restaurants and a few boutiques within walking distance, including a few in a small complex just across the street from the hotel. Because of the low-key, quiet atmosphere, the area tends to attract slightly older tourists, as well as some families. Getting to Mount Teide takes about an hour by car. The popular Masca Valley, with great hiking opportunities, is about 35 minutes away by car.
Rooms
Elegant with balconies, most with uninterrupted views of the sea and Los Gigantes
Barcelo Santiago offers a variety of rooms and suites. Decor is relatively consistent across room types, with either dark-turquoise or chocolate-brown desks and chairs, plus off-white walls and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that lead out to large furnished balconies. Many feature uninterrupted sea views (with the dramatic cliffs of Los Gigantes in the distance). All rooms include two twin beds pushed together, but these can be unified with a mattress topper to form single double beds. Standard entry-level Double and Double Sea View units are located on the lower levels of the buildings. The Superior Ocean View and Superior with Hot Tub Rooms are located on higher levels (floors six through nine) and were renovated in 2006. Added amenities in Superior Rooms include slippers, robes, kettles, and free spa entries. Junior Suites -- corner units -- have coffeemakers.While the floor plans are the same in all four room types, bathrooms vary quite a bit across room categories. The Superior Rooms have sleeker bathrooms with frosted-glass windows separating them from the main rooms, plus stone-tile floors. Standard bathrooms have rainfall shower/tub combos, while Superior bathrooms have either walk-in showers or shower/tub combos. Junior Suites on lower levels have shower/tub combos while those higher up in the building have walk-in showers. All bathrooms come with lovely herbal toiletries, magnifying mirrors, and hairdryers.
Features
Outdoor pool with hot tub, spa with a hydrotherapy, and buffet and a la carte dining
Like many hotels and resorts in the area, the main hub of activity at Barcelo Santiago takes place in its huge outdoor pool area. There's a large central main pool with a kids' area and two smaller heated pools, plus a whirlpool hot tub and a bar with table service. There are plenty of lounge chairs to go around and Bali-style beds can be rented for a fee. Another key feature is the U by Barcelo Spa which offers facials, massages, Ayurvedic treatments, and a dark hydrotherapy circuit with lots of multicolored lights in the tubs and pools. Guests in Junior Suites and Superior Rooms get one free use of the circuit per stay. There's also a fitness center in the spa with lots of Technogym cardio equipment and free weights, plus a few machines like an abdominal cruncher, but the space is only open during spa hours. Meal plans include half-board with breakfast and either lunch or dinner, or an all-inclusive rate. Room service is available, but the hours are limited. Meals are served buffet-style in the main restaurant, though travelers wanting a la carte service can also book a table at the a la carte Sabor Espanol Tasca & Bar, which opens its doors twice a week and isn't included in meal packages. Although most guests gravitate toward the pool bar, there's also a quiet lobby bar. The entertainment center/bar, Large Life!, is open in the evenings for entertainment.Other facilities include a reading room with books and sofas and a sports area with a cement football pitch that's painted green to resemble grass, plus a small archery area. The hotel's guest experience manager can also be reached through WhatsApp, making it easy for travelers to communicate with the hotel via text. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and garage parking is available for a fee.
