Kn Hotel Arenas Del Mar Beach & Spa

Hotel Arenas del Mar is a relatively quiet high-rise hotel that has guest rooms situated around an atrium-style lobby, with a frosted-glass ceiling that lets in a ton of natural light. There are seating areas on the ground floor, with giant conch-shell pendants hanging above, and a small koi pond, which gives the space a zen-like vibe. The pool area is a little more lively, but still generally peaceful. During the day, most guests, who tend to be couples looking to skip the party scene farther up the beach, can be found sunbathing or swimming rather than hanging out in the indoor common areas. The hotel has been adults-only since 2014.

Hotel Arenas del Mar is located just outside the community of El Medano, right next to the black-sand Playa del Cabezo, on a quiet cul-de-sac. The property is just east of the Tenerife South Airport (a 10-minute drive away), but as there's not a whole lot within walking distance, travelers who want to use the hotel as a base to explore the island are better off with a rental car. Playa de las Americas is a 20-minute drive from the hotel and has plenty of things to do and see, from waterparks such as Aqualand and Siam Park to nightclubs, shopping, and live entertainment. Mount Teide, a beautiful volcano at the center of the island with a cable car, an astronomical observatory, and plenty of high-altitude hiking opportunities, is a little more than an hours' drive. Masca, the base for trekking through the popular Masca Valley, is 45 minutes from the hotel by car. 

Hotel Arenas del Mar offers three types of room: Junior Suites, Suites, and Master Suites, with 155 units in total occupying five stories. Junior Suites consist of two twin beds pushed together (right when you walk in) and have big wood dividers that section-off living areas that lead out to balconies. Suites add extra bedrooms and can sleep up to four, while Master Suites are much larger, with big living and dining areas with tables for four, plus notably larger balconies. All units have two twin beds, though the hotel can push them together and add a thick mattress topper, making them indistinguishable from doubles. While room decor is nothing spectacular -- just simple light-wood furniture and printed bedspreads that look dated -- all are well-maintained and were spotless during our visit.

Standard features include tiny flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and safes, but there are no kettles. Most Junior Suites and Suites have shower/tub combos, although there are four accessible units with walk-in showers. Master Suite bathrooms have round, nautical-like windows, and separate walk-in showers and large whirlpool soaking tubs. Rooms face the sea or the street, but all are quiet, as there's not much traffic or nightlife around the hotel. 

Hotel Arenas del Mar offers all-inclusive, half-board (breakfast and dinner), and breakfast-only rates, and special diets can be accommodated on request (advanced notice is preferred). Meals are served three times a day in the main buffet restaurant, though there is also an a la carte option -- El Ancla -- available for a fee on weeknights and for lunch and dinner on weekends. The hotel has two bars, one poolside and a second one, Bar Hall, just off the lobby, which has a huge deck with panoramic ocean views. There's also a small nightclub with a third bar on the lower level next to the pool, offering a rotating lineup of nightly entertainment. Local spirits, beer, and wine are included in the all-inclusive rate, and top-label liquor is available for a fee. 

The outdoor pool area is the hub of guest life at Hotel Arenas del Mar, and it features a large lagoon-style saltwater pool with views of the ocean and of Montana Roja in the distance. A gate leads directly to the black-sand Playa El Cabezo, where swimming is pleasant most of the time. Just indoors near the pool is the hotel's gorgeous spa -- Brisas del Mar -- which has seawater-based thalassotherapy treatments in multiple pools along with a Turkish bath, a dry sauna, and therapeutic showers. A wide range of treatments are available, from body wraps to facials, along with eyebrow tinting, epilation, and mani/pedis. There's also a couples treatment room with two massage tables and a whirlpool hot tub. The large rooftop fitness center has superb ocean views and a variety of cardio and weight-training equipment, but there's no treadmill. 

Other facilities include a TV room with lots of tables and chairs, plus books and boardgames for guests to use. There's also a sizable meeting room with views, audiovisual equipment, and seating for up to 150 people. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, but the signal can be spotty in guest rooms, and the hotel only guarantees good connections in the lobby.