Views of the Atlantic and overwhelming nature at the Ritz-Carlton, Abama.
When The Ritz-Carlton, Abama opened in November 2005 in the municipality of Guía de Isora, Tenerife, Gregory de Clerck, its current CEO, He watched him closely from the command post of the Sheraton La Caleta, a hotel that he himself had inaugurated six months earlier. “The two have a lot in common, especially aesthetically, since they were designed by the same architect, Melvin Villarroel. Although The Ritz-Carlton, Abama is much larger; the Sheraton La Caleta is like a baby by her side”, De Clerck tells us with a Belgian accent full of Canarian musicality.
With an extension of 162 hectares that include exuberant botanical gardens, ten restaurants –two of them with a Michelin star–, seven swimming pools, a prestigious golf course and endless facilities both for those who seek non-stop, and for those who need a Zen refuge, from its privileged location on the shores of the ocean, with views of Mount Teide and the island of La Gomera, no hotel on the island (and very few in the world) can compare to The Ritz-Carlton, Abama. “Its owners, the Polanco family, were visionaries. Imagine turning a banana field where there was only a small pier into what is today the Ritz-Carlton, Abama... Even they created a magnificent beach by regenerating an entire stretch of rocky coastline.”
The beach of the Ritz-Carlton, Abama.
Since De Clerck arrived at the Ritz-Carlton, Abama as general manager in February 2019, he has marked a radical change in the positioning of the hotel and in its reason for being. And, building on The Ritz-Carlton brand values, he has incorporated “the feeling of belonging to destiny, the local gastronomy, the commitment to kilometer 0 products... And most importantly, the warmth and affection of the Canary Islands. This is true authenticity.”
“We have made a great improvement in the lobby. Apart from changing the furniture, We have developed a very residential concept, a large house, converting that lobby, which is the main entrance to the hotel, into a large room where we connect our clients with the image of Tenerife. We have four fires – two inside and two outside – that links us with the volcanoes, a lava bar and elements and colors –blue and green tones– that represent the Atlantic and the vegetation that surrounds us. That the guest understands from the beginning where he has arrived”.
But beyond the interior design, De Clerck knows that what is really important is the service, the treatment. “We do not receive guests as before or as in most hotels in the world. When they get here they're at least three hours into the flight, so they're not going to go to a counter to check in, they're going to settle on the sofa, on the sofa at home and they are invited to have a glass of cava, a banana mojito (with or without alcohol) or a barratito, the typical Canarian coffee”.
The Villa Club houses are arranged around four streets surrounded by native vegetation.
In addition, last summer they launched the new concept of stay, the Villa Club, specially designed for those seeking maximum exclusivity and privacy and an even more refined service . Immersed in impressive gardens and overlooking the ocean, the Villa Club could be defined as “an even more exclusive boutique hotel within the hotel”. A set of 'casitas' with a total of 144 rooms and suites spread over four streets, each with a semi-private pool. The first street, called Infinity for its infinity pool, is focused on well-being and is only for adults. And the last one, designed for families, is located next to the Kids Club. “These villas already existed, but they were just another type of room. What we have done, apart from improving them and changing their decoration, is create a whole set of more special experiences around it.” Among the exclusive services offered are two new outdoor gyms and a restaurant by the sea with the best view in the world whose name says it all: The looker.
The looker, directed by the chef and nutritionist César Gónzalez, it's just one of ten hotel restaurants. “Culinary discovery has always been one of our pillars”, recalls the CEO. He is not the only one: they are experts in creating memorable memories, in adding touches of differentiation.
This is what sunsets look like from El Mirador restaurant.
Those who want to do nothing at all and lie down in the hammock to read a book or doze can, obviously, but they will find it difficult given the wide, wide range of tempting activities. Because there is everything here: golf, tennis and paddle courts, biking facilities, water sports, swimming pools, water sports... even a private concession beach. And what they don't have yet, like a dive center, they will have it soon. "We are already in negotiations for it, for now what we have is an agreement with a diving center that comes to pick up guests who want to do a dive."
One of the semi-private pools at the Villa Club
As if this were not enough, today, Friday, May 14, they will inaugurate the Bach Care Center, a unique cardiovascular disease prevention and rehabilitation center in the world, managed by the Professor J. L. Zamorano , a world reference in cardiovascular health and non-invasive cardiological diagnosis. “As we do everything here with and from the heart, we felt that we should pay special attention and care to the hearts of our guests”, explains De Clerck. “In just a few minutes this scanner will tell you your life expectancy. And so, depending on the results, we will be able to offer a personalized lifestyle coaching. We are not doctors and we do not manage the center, but together with our two Michelin star chefs, the nutritionist chef César González and our facilities, this will allow us to create stays of several days or weeks in which to better accompany people who want to improve their way of life”.
Commitment, creativity, splendid nature and much, much Canarian love. “Our DNA is based on a very strong culture of ladies and gentlemen, which is what we call our staff. They have the absolute power to do whatever they need to ensure the success of the service in the guest experience. Because that's the most important thing for us." concludes the director of the Ritz-Carlton, Abama.
The impressive wellness center of the hotel.