Jardines de Nivaria – Adrian Hoteles

Last renovated in 2011, Jardines de Nivaria is known for its striking Art Deco style. The huge stained glass dome is the centerpiece of the four-story tall lobby. Wrought-iron and wood verandas rest on dark brown columns, and bronze and glass statuettes, tall palm trees, and mirrors with ornate golden frames add charm more typical of a bygone era. This intricate design is a far cry from what is found at most of the neighboring (and more generic) beach resorts. 

Despite the large size of the property, the grounds are mostly serene and lush, with a variety of tropical plants, small artificial waterfalls, bridges and winding paths. Charming wrought-iron and stone gazebos dot the gardens, adding to the romantic, intimate feel. The hotel’s 271 rooms are housed in five separate buildings, which means longer walks from the farthest buildings to some of the restaurants, the pools, and the lobby. For a slightly cheaper, even quieter vacation, couples may want to compare features and rates at sister property Colon Guanahani, located across the street.

The hotel is located on a small two-way street across the boardwalk from one of Costa Adeje’s most famous beaches. There are lots of bars, restaurants, and stores within a couple of blocks, and guests can easily walk to a larger upscale mall located down the street. Those who would like to explore other beaches can take a cab or drive to Playa del Duque, Las Américas, and La Caleta in less than 10 minutes. Those who prefer to use public transportation can take a bus to all of the area’s main beaches (there is a bus stop a two-minute walk from the property). Tenerife Sur Airport can be reached by car in 15 minutes, and by bus in about an hour.

The Jardines de Nivaria has different accommodation options spread throughout five buildings, including Standard and Superior Rooms, Junior Suites, and several other types of suites. Rooms are appealing and elegant, with paneled walls, wooden furniture, cream-colored tiles, and brown patterned bed runners over crisp white linens (note that there are no duvets). All rooms are equipped with  free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, and air-conditioning, and feature furnished balconies or terraces, some offering ocean views. Bathrooms are large, and all but Standard Rooms have walk-in showers and separate tubs. Hotel-brand toiletries in large containers fixed to the walls are environmentally friendly but some guests have found this a little underwhelming for a luxury hotel. 

The hotel offers an extensive list of features, including an array of sports facilities for those who want to stay active. There are an outdoor tennis court, a 9-hole putting green, an indoor squash court, loaner bikes, and a well-equipped fitness center featuring cardio and strength training machines. Kid-friendly amenities are also plentiful and varied, with a heated kiddy pool, an outdoor playground, and a supervised kids’ club.

Nestled among lush grounds, the hotel’s two pools are the most popular spots during the day. They’re both similar in size, but one is heated and features saltwater, while the other is a freshwater pool. Adjacent to the pool deck is one of the hotel’s three restaurants, La Cascada. It offers a salad bar, a la carte Mediterranean specialties, and a full  bar with ocean views. The two other restaurants are Solandra -- offering an extensive buffet for all three meals -- and La Cúpula, serving up French and regional cuisine along with Spanish wines. The hotel also offers a wide array of drinking spots, including a lobby bar, a piano bar with an award-winning barman, and a club open in the winter only.

Aequor Spa offers an array of treatments (including massages outdoors), a hydrotherapy area, and salon services. It is pleasant and clean, but perhaps not as luxurious as one might expect. Those who want to soak up the sun in a quiet environment can head up to the rooftop deck, equipped with a number of loungers and offering ocean views. There is also free parking, free Wi-Fi, and three meeting rooms for up to 300 guests.