Europe Family Holidays: Hotel Botanico, Tenerife

by Take The Family

A flying time of only around four-and-a-half hours and great year-round weather (temperatures rarely rise above 30°C or drop below 20°C) make the Canary Islands a prime spot for family holidays – especially at half term – as does the wide choice of family-friendly hotels.Among them is the exquisite Hotel Botanico, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. Set at foot of Mount Teide in the north of Tenerife, near the beautiful botanical gardens on the outskirts of Puerto de la Cruz (an easy 20-minute walk down to the town’s volcanic beach), this classically styled hotel attracts a glittering clientele of film stars and princesses yet also provides children with a genuinely warm welcome.

Interconnecting standard doubles and special offers throughout the year (50% off for families) are supplemented by a unique high-summer (July and August) kids’ club that will delight all children who, like mine, are animal-obsessed: an Adventure Safari for ages 4–12, embracing exciting workshops with animals, from jaguars to orcas to penguins, workshops with vets, biologists and animal trainers, and a behind-the-scenes VIP experience at Loro Parque, the famous zoo and nature park, 10 minutes from the hotel. As well as being educational, it’s great value, with rates starting at 21 Euros a day. Obviously, you could also visit Loro Parque as a family too, with the highlight being Orca Ocean, home to the biggest killer-whale show in Europe. Most kids love to sit close to the pool and get drenched by the cheeky whales flipping their vast tails. Note that there’s a complimentary minibus from the hotel to the park.

In terms of parent pampering, I made sure to take full advantage of my golden ‘me’ time in the awardwinning Oriental Spa & Garden within the grounds of the hotel, complete with therma circuits, three swimming pools, three Jacuzzis and lots of fantastic treatments. The chocolate body massage was tempting but seemed a bit decadent given that I’d had a chocolate fountain for breakfast. Indeed, the hotel’s sumptuous, extensive breakfasts will have your kids’ bellies happily bursting throughout your stay, with the friendly chefs preparing pancakes and omelettes with their choice of filling while they wait, and a whole table groaning with cakes and chocolates. Breakfast aside, the hotel’s gourmet restaurants offer local, Mediterranean, and Thai food – something to please all tastes.

I’d recommend hiring a car if you want to explore the island, although Siam Park, an hour away from Hotel Botanico in the south of the island, can be reached by bus. Another exhilaratingly watery family day out, this spotlessly clean and safe Thai-themed water park is suitable for kids of all ages, with rides ranging from daredevil, adrenaline-fuelled swirly rapids to a calming lazy river. Mini life-jackets are provided for non-swimmers.

Before you travel, book a joint ticket to Loro Parque and Siam Park to save money: the Ultimate Tenerife Ticket starts at £84 per adult and £64 per child (6–11). Alternatively, at Siam Park, 400 Euros buys you a VIP all-inclusive experience including fast-track entry to the individual attractions and as much food and drink, including ice cream, as you can take. 

For more Thomson family holidays in Tenerife and else, see our late-availability page. See also our Where to Go at Half Term tips page.

We flew with Monarch, who offer year-round flights to Tenerife from the main UK airports, with fares staring from £61.99 one way, including taxes, and £115.99 return.

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