The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama Review

Here’s your insider’s guide to The Retreat, the new boutique ‘hotel-within-a-hotel’ at The Ritz-Carlton Abama Tenerife. Complementing The Citadel, The Retreat offers an even more personalised experience, designed for those seeking tranquillity, privacy and exclusivity with dedicated service, guest benefits and a Club Lounge serving complimentary food and drink. The Ritz-Carlton Abama resort is renowned for its eight restaurants including MB, the two Michelin-starred restaurants created by Chef Martín Berasategui, with Chef Erlantz Gorostiza at the helm, as well as the new Akira Back restaurant, as well as the innovative Verde Mar, with a vegetable-forward, 0km approach.

Striking an alluring silhouette on the southwestern coast of Tenerife, The Ritz-Carlton, Abama resort has emerged as the island’s luxury destination where couples and families can find a harmonious blend of well-being and gastronomy. This is our second visit, and we’re here to get the inside track on The Retreat, the new hotel-within-a-hotel. With direct flights available from a range of international destinations, Tenerife is an accessible escape for those in search of sun and sophistication.

The resort, inspired by Moorish architecture, integrates with the island’s semi-arid landscape and surrounding lush banana plantations and is divided into two main areas: The Citadel and The Retreat.

The Citadel is home to the resort’s most iconic features, housing deluxe rooms, junior suites, and exclusive penthouses. With five restaurants, including the two Michelin-starred MB by Martín Berasategui, and two bars, the Citadel offers a vibrant dining scene. Families will appreciate the Ritz Kids programme, well-equipped fitness facilities, and temperature-controlled pools, including the lagoon and cascade pools, designed to cater to guests of all ages. The rooms and suites of The Citadel have been remodelled and now feature interiors with calming tones of Atlantic blue.

You can read The Luxury Editor Expert Review of The Citadel here.

The Retreat: The Boutique Experience

The Retreat provides a personalised experience, designed for those seeking tranquillity and privacy. This exclusive ‘hotel within a hotel’ features four rows of two-story ‘casitas,’ comprising 144 rooms and suites that have been completely remodelled, with warm terracotta tones in the interior design.

Club Retreat Deluxe Rooms offer either garden or ocean views, while the Club Retreat One-Bedroom Suites and the Adults-Only Club Retreat options feature private pools for a more secluded experience.

The Palmera and Del Mar rows of casitas offer guests access to semi-private pools, while the Iraya and Tacande rows are designed exclusively for adults, ensuring a peaceful atmosphere for relaxation.

We enjoyed a sea-view suite with a large outdoor terrace. The interior is elegantly proportioned, with a King Bed, sofa, and dining table as well as plenty of storage space. The bathroom with shower, tub, and separate W.C. features amenities by Diptyque. The Retreat also offers guests complimentary pressing of two garments during each stay.

Read our review of the Ritz Carlton Hong Kong

The Club Lounge

The Retreat’s amenities include access to the Club Lounge, where guests can indulge in daily culinary presentations that showcase local flavours. There is a dedicated dining terrace for Retreat guests to enjoy breakfast and the regular food presentations, with The Pantry offering self-service snacks and drinks, as well as a dedicated bar. There is also poolside service by the infinity pool.

Daily Culinary Presentations served at the Club include Breakfast, tapas, afternoon pastry treats and an early evening cocktail.

Ritz Carlton is rightly renowned for its Club Lounges, and it’s great to see this product rolled out in Tenerife. It truly adds value to the guest experience and helps distinguish The Retreat from The Citadel.

Like many, I enjoy travelling to resorts for the wealth of dining, well-being, and entertainment choices, but sometimes one wants to feel pampered in a more boutique environment. The Retreat achieves this, allowing you to enjoy everything that The Ritz-Carlton, Abama has to offer, with the opportunity to enjoy the more tranquil, intimate, and exclusive setting of The Retreat.

Gastronomy

Dining at The Ritz-Carlton, Abama is a journey through diverse flavours, anchored by the talents of celebrated chefs. The resort has eight restaurants and two bars, each offering a unique culinary experience. At the forefront is MB, the two Michelin-starred restaurant created by Chef Martín Berasategui and led by Chef Erlantz Gorostiza.

Akira Back Tenerife

For a modern twist on Japanese cuisine, Akira Back is a standout, featuring the first Akira Back restaurant in Spain. Renowned chef and former professional snowboarder Akira Back crafts an adventurous menu that showcases his creative flair. This is a must-visit restaurant.

This was completely new for me – I’ve not eaten in a restaurant by Akira Back before. It’s impressive. Certainly, a fine dining kind of evening, with refined contemporary, urban Japanese cuisine, served in a minimalist restaurant with artwork by Back’s mother, Ms. Young Hee.

Our meal included Chef Akira’s signature AB tuna pizza, AB sashimi, spicy sushi, and a beautiful bento box of flavours. I also tried the AB Wagyu cheek with cauliflower miso.

The Seoul-born chef’s back story is that he was a former professional snowboarder and now has a Michelin-star restaurant that has inspired an international collection. 

Verde Mar Restaurant

From my perspective, the other essential dining experience is Verde Mar, led by Chef Jorge Dominguez. This restaurant takes a vegetable-forward approach, celebrating fresh produce in innovative ways, with a strong commitment to sustainability. What truly made this dining experience unforgettable was not only the excellent service with a knowledgeable and passionate team, but the food which was beautifully crafted.

Every element is thoughtfully curated, from the welcome aperitif of a local beverage with vegetable chips, and bread with local limited edition extra virgin olive oil, to the creative presentation of original dishes like the guacamole, and the banana brava. Maim dishes are plant-based, and you can order a side of protein, like the spicy chicken – the meal is so well-balanced and delicious.

Additional Dining

Other dining includes Txoko which is now a more laidback experience, with its poolside setting. The team are wonderful, and the cocktails are great, but the dining is no longer at the Martín Berasategui level, although it still carries his name.

El Mirador, on the cliff, serves seafood and Mediterranean-inspired dishes with sea views. Guests of The Retreat are offered a complimentary bottle of cava with their reservation. This restaurant offers very limited shade, and if there is a breeze the parasols are not put up, so be aware of this, as it can make lunch uncomfortable.

There is also The Beach Club, providing a casual dining experience with freshly prepared fish and grilled meats, while La Veranda serves a superb buffet breakfast with stunning views of the Cascade Pool and golf course. Verona rounds out the offerings, delivering classic Italian flavours with a contemporary twist – this is a delight and is a favourite with guests.

Wellness and Relaxation

Guests of The Retreat enjoy one access per room per stay to the Wellness Circuit at The Ritz-Carlton, Abama Spa. The space is very well equipped with plenty of hydrotherapy options and heated beds for relaxation. There’s even a large outdoor terrace – a beautifully created spa. The resort’s spa features a range of treatments inspired by the island’s natural beauty, designed to rejuvenate both body and mind. The hot stone massage comes recommended.

Insider Tips for Your Stay

• 1. Dining Reservations: Given the popularity of the resort’s dining venues, securing reservations ahead of time is essential. This ensures you can enjoy the culinary highlights at MB and Akira Back without disappointment. Remember to do this before you arrive.
• 2. Explore the Grounds: Take time to stroll through the resort’s beautifully landscaped areas, where the banana plantations and subtropical landscaping create a unique atmosphere. If you do not take advantage of the complimentary shuttle from The Retreat to The Citadel you will get to know the gardens well as the climb up the hill becomes a regular part of each day.
• 3. Beach Access: Visit Abama Beach, which is easily reached via the shuttle and panoramic funicular. This exclusive area offers complimentary sunbeds and umbrellas, ideal for a day of sunbathing.
• 4. Evening Cocktails at The Club Lounge: Don’t miss the evening cocktail presentations at the Club Lounge. It’s a fun way to get your evening off to a stylish start.
• 5. Wellness Activities: Engage in the weekly wellness activities hosted in the gym, exclusively available to Retreat guests, for a refreshing start to your day.