Gran Hotel Taoro

The sleek interiors that greet as the lobby doors part aren’t necessarily what you’d expect from its Neoclassical façade, but when it comes to the careful redesign of Gran Hotel Taoro, bringing an up-to-date feel to its storied splendour was always the vision. Natural textures and local artwork complement the cool sophistication of the suites, floor-to-ceiling windows capitalise on the sweeping views of Mount Teide and the Atlantic, and décor that captures the personalities of the five restaurants cements the hotel’s place as a culinary hotspot. It all helps Taoro reclaim its rightful place as one of Tenerife’s most luxurious destinations, a title it held after it made its mark on the island’s hospitality scene in 1890. Back then, it hosted plenty of famous faces, sharing its birth year with one of its most famous – Agatha Christie.  

During her stays, Christie often sought inspiration by strolling through the verdant gardens, a pastime that comes highly recommended to this day. But she was also known for striking out to explore this pretty part of northern Tenerife and, while the gardens haven’t lost their charm, Taoro likes to encourage other guests to do the same. Catering to intimate groups, the X-Plora concept introduces adventurous souls to expert guides who know this region like the back of their hands. Heritage-rich experiences range from sipping vino among the vineyards or hiking a volcano at sunrise, to private ceramic workshops tours and a wander around Puerto de la Cruz that follows in the footsteps of Christie herself.