JOIA Salome by Iberostar — Hotel in Adeje

Short version;|Peaceful, quiet, calm and relaxing in a small, clean oasis. Exceptional service from charming, engaging and discreet staff. Topped off with good food, great service in a nice selection of restaurants. Definitely to be revisited.|||Longer version;|The flight from Cardiff was uneventful and after the usual airport faf we were sat, glass in hand, at the impressive main reception in the Anthelia in around 25mins. We had already checked in online prior to arrival (through the website or app) but even so it did take a while for us to be “whisked away to the Salomé” - this was to be forgiven as it was now 7.30pm. Joffer, one of the butlers, did his best to walk and talk us through the hotel and room, appreciating that all we wanted to do was find a bar and a restaurant.||We knew we’d arrived in time for dinner so we were expecting to be able to eat at one of the à la carte restaurants. However, these are all booked in advance meaning that we were limited to the buffet restaurant (Zeus) in the main hotel for our first two evenings. We weren’t aware of this booking process prior to arrival, so this was an unfortunate frustration at the start of our holiday. In fairness to the buffet, it was a very good example but, this wasn’t what we had expected when booking. The only upside to this was that Joffer did then book us into the three à la carte restaurants for our remaining five evenings. The following day we were chatting to the star that is (butler) Francisco and, to our surprise, he was able to get us a table in the Poseidon restaurant that evening. TIP: Restaurants can be booked using the Iberostar app, or by contacting the concierge (butler) service, either in person or through the app/phone) or before you arrive by contacting the hotel directly. NOTE: Not all restaurants are open every day so you may have to be creative/flexible with your dining plan.|||We spent a week here in a ‘standard suite’ (there are 4 room options) though there is little standard about the room. With the exception of the Superior rooms, all rooms are the same - it’s the location that changes the price. The rooms were generous, very clean and well appointed. The bed was big and very comfortable, the linen good quality. There was even a red wine cabinet, set to the right temperature! (included if on AI basis). Large separate shower, large jacuzzi bath with plenty of hot water. Ladies; there were large, full length mirrors & hairdryer + straighteners. Men; there were plenty of sockets, in sensible places. There was a bottle of fizz on arrival and (almost) daily treats in the room. A turn-down service and towels changed twice a day. ||There was some of the usual bed-bagging (I’m afraid we were as guilty as the rest), but even so, with almost as many beds as guests, there was always somewhere to relax - quite often there would be beds available throughout the day. There were good quality pool towels in abundance, with no limit on the number you could use - another nice touch. The majority of the guests were of similar age (!) and more than happy to engage in conversation, if that was what you were looking for. The result was you quickly felt accepted into ‘the family’. Service around the pool was also excellent, particularly with the now familiar Jessica.|||We originally booked half-board but decided to change this to all-inclusive through TUI prior to arrival. This proved to be a good move - even though we are not big eaters or drinkers, it gave us access to a surprisingly good wine selection and delicious lunches amongst other options. ||Mirador Terrace (breakfast) is the perfect way to start the day - overlooking the bay and Fañabé Beach, listening to the waves. The simple menu, fresh buffet and custom selection provided as much choice as you’d need. All the staff were exceptional, particular thanks to Vicky and Jessica (again)||Lagarto Restaurant (lunch) - The garlic prawns were sublime. The menu had a great selection of both local and generic options and we soon found out that the portions were very generous! If it all gets little too rich, there is also a simpler ‘poolside’ menu which can be taken either in the restaurant or at your sun-bed (very decadent). TIP: As everything is made to order, you do have the option to change portion sizes and ingredients. ||Poseidon Restaurant - This restaurant is located outside the Salomé, in the parent Anthelia hotel and we had both lunch and dinner here. Lunch was very good - the lobster risotto (not the correct name) for two was stuffed with sea food and delicious, again, enormous portions. We had dinner here one evening and had planned to return for another but fortunately we were able to change this. This was our least favourite meal - dishes were overcooked / cold / stood for too long. ||Sea Soul - You have to leave the hotel to access this restaurant as it is open to the public. We had a delicious dinner here served by fabulous staff and would have returned had we been able.||Portofino (Italian) - We ended up have several evening meals here as the staff were exceptional, as was the service - nothing was too much trouble. The menu included options that encouraged us to try different things and in the most part we thoroughly enjoyed the culinary experience.||We missed fresh vegetables on the menus||We gravitated to the Lagarto bar after dinner for a chat and a nightcap, here you can find a selection of top-shelf spirits, beer, coffee etc. Many thanks to Nereida who made the perfect negroni.||Download the Iberostar app and you can access pretty much all the information you’ll need about the hotel. The only change I’d recommend would be contacting the concierge service - the app provides no feedback so several times I had to follow up with a call or visit. Many hotels have a WhatsApp group and this would make much more sense. Make contact with Geordie (management team?) if you need to resolve anything.||If you feel the need to get out for a walk, may I suggest turning right out of the hotel onto the promenade and walking to the next bay (and beyond). An early morning walk is therapeutic and all you have to contend with is a few joggers. Turn left and you’ll be challenged to find any authentic Tenerife.||If you’ve got this far, I make no apologies for the detail of this review - I’ve tried to answer some of the questions that I asked before this holiday; I hope I’ve answered some of yours. I hope I’ve given you an insight to this most excellent hotel. We are very pleased to have found it and will certainly be returning. It’s an absolute gem, a perfectly relaxing oasis, where the staff will do everything they can to ensure that you have the...

Not a very original title for this review, but everything about this hotel WAS wonderful, from beginning to end!||The first thing that greets you as you enter The Anthelia Hotel (the main hotel) is the opulence, the cleanliness, the gorgeous fresh smell, and the many smiling staff, eager to help. Our greeting at the main desk was welcoming, and the lady there immediately connected us with a Salome staff member, Joffer, who whisked us off to the Joia Salome part of the hotel. As the glass doors parted, we entered an entirely different world, and immediately felt like (even greater) valued guests, despite the luxury and friendliness that we had just left up the stairs. ||A glass of chilled champagne was in our hands within seconds, and the check-in process completed swiftly and efficiently by staff member, Daniel. The manager of the hotel (sorry, I didn’t catch the lady’s name), also welcomed us with genuine enthusiasm and congeniality. Daniel then took us to our rooms, despite it being several hours earlier than the official check-in time. He showed us around our accommodation, and explained the hotel’s amenities. There was a lot to remember, but he also gave us a phone number to get in touch at any time, if we needed any assistance with anything. At this point, I can confirm that each time we did phone for information or additional items, the matter was dealt with immediately. Menus brought to the room etc. so that we could choose which restaurants to book, if required. Scales for the case that we were worried may be “on the edge”. Additional (and unexpected) gestures also made, which made us feel higher valued than anywhere that we have ever stayed before - and we have enjoyed many fine holidays over the years.||The room was fabulous, and the view, beautiful – pool and sea combined, through a framework of palms. It was lovely to have a separate bedroom from the lounge area, and even better to have a proper bathroom, again completely separate. The whirlpool bath was lovely, and the shower was the best that we’ve ever experienced in a hotel. There was everything a person could need in the bathroom, but Iberostar, your hair conditioner really does feel (and act) like body lotion (as observed in the same chain last year). This time, I was prepared! 😉 There was plenty of wardrobe and storage space throughout the suite, a full-size fridge full of drinks of all kinds, and a red wine fridge. Yes, we too prefer it to be room temperature, but it won’t take long… On the main table in the lounge area was a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket, alongside a variety of delicious macaroons. The balcony area contained a Balinese bed, as well as a patio set - perfect. Apart from a few scuffs on the floor in the lounge area, there was nothing not to like about the room - and we loved it!||Being pescatarian (and mostly vegetarian), we found the dinner menus for the gourmet restaurants to be rather limited for us. We did have garlic prawns at the poolside Lagarto restaurant a few times at lunchtime, but beyond that, we mostly chose to eat in the main hotel buffet restaurant. The garlic prawns were a starter, incidentally – and the portions were huge!!! After we had learned a hard lesson on the first day (ordering a ravioli main course to follow), we just had the starter with salad on other occasions (a side salad not being on the menu – but do ask!), and it was the perfect meal! Lobster stew at the Portofino for another lunch was an experience that would have left us full for the rest of the holiday, had there not been so much temptation! The Zeus buffet restaurant was vast, with something for everyone. You will never get piping hot food from a buffet (unless made to order), but we absolutely appreciated the huge range of delicious, freshly-baked breads, the large variety of hot and cold dishes, the lovely salads, and the mouth-watering desserts. Vegans and people with gluten intolerances were clearly catered for, and quite frankly, for a buffet, I can’t understand how anyone can complain. Breakfast at the Mirador was divine! The most beautiful views to look out on, and total exclusivity. I personally don’t like eggs, so there was little for me to eat beyond the cold food buffet selection within there. But the fresh orange juice and smoothies were gorgeous, and a quick nip to the Zeus to pile my plate with veggie offerings, worked great! One point that we did make, was how lovely it would have been to be able to do the same thing in the evening, and retain being part of the exclusive (and child-free) Salome ethos.||The grounds of the Anthelia are vast and beautiful. We loved the ornate pond surrounding the Zeus restaurant, and enjoyed watching the little fish – with the best habitat ever! Credit to the staff who maintain the grounds, because everywhere was lovely. We didn’t try the upper pool at the Anthelia, though it looked very inviting. The main pool was huge, though I personally loved the expansive pool behind it, which was unheated – fabulous for a mid-afternoon dip, and I usually had it to myself, presumably because it was quite cold! Our pre-breakfast swims at the Salome heated pool, however, were the absolute best way to start the day. The poolside area in general at the Salome, was beautiful – and felt very exclusive, and totally relaxing in the absence of babies and children (which the Anthelia did seem to attract a lot of). Just the gentle sound of the crashing ocean and birdsong. Efficient staff, regularly bringing around impromptu snacks and drinks, and always being so cheerful and eager to serve, were very much appreciated. Nothing was ever too much trouble.||The only slight let down about this hotel in general, was the spa – and certainly not the spa itself, but the unwelcome reception that we received when we arrived an hour and a half before the official closing time. We were abruptly told that the sauna and steam room had already been switched off for the day, though after further discussion, it appeared that everything else was accessible - within our clearly pointed out, limited time frame.... We only wanted to try the pools for experience, and so that suited us fine. But we didn’t bother returning again, as we really did feel like we had been an inconvenience. A small matter (to us), in the grand scheme of things.||In summary, we had 6 days of being spilt rotten – and it was bliss! The packet of the key card read, “Your key to paradise” – and it certainly was. I would recommend this hotel unreservedly, and we will return in time, like so many other people do. I think that...

Perfect!

The first thing that greets you as you enter The Anthelia Hotel (the main hotel) is the opulence, the cleanliness, the gorgeous fresh smell, and the many smiling staff, eager to help. Our greeting at the main desk was welcoming, and the lady there immediately connected us with a Salome staff member, Joffer, who whisked us off to the Joia Salome part of the hotel. As the glass doors parted, we entered an entirely different world, and immediately felt like (even greater) valued guests, despite the luxury and friendliness that we had just left up the stairs.

A glass of chilled champagne was in our hands within seconds, and the check-in process completed swiftly and efficiently by staff member, Daniel. The manager of the hotel (sorry, I didn’t catch the lady’s name), also welcomed us with genuine enthusiasm and congeniality. Daniel then took us to our rooms, despite it being several hours earlier than the official check-in time. He showed us around our accommodation, and explained the hotel’s amenities. There was a lot to remember, but he also gave us a phone number to get in touch at any time, if we needed any assistance with anything. At this point, I can confirm that each time we did phone for information or additional items, the matter was dealt with immediately. Menus brought to the room etc. so that we could choose which restaurants to book, if required. Scales for the case that we were worried may be “on the edge”. Additional (and unexpected) gestures also made, which made us feel higher valued than anywhere that we have ever stayed before - and we have enjoyed many fine holidays over the years.

The grounds of the Anthelia are vast and beautiful. We loved the ornate pond surrounding the Zeus restaurant, and enjoyed watching the little fish – with the best habitat ever! Credit to the staff who maintain the grounds, because everywhere was lovely. We didn’t try the upper pool at the Anthelia, though it looked very inviting. The main pool was huge, though I personally loved the expansive pool behind it, which was unheated – fabulous for a mid-afternoon dip, and I usually had it to myself, presumably because it was quite cold! Our pre-breakfast swims at the Salome heated pool, however, were the absolute best way to start the day. The poolside area in general at the Salome, was beautiful – and felt very exclusive, and totally relaxing in the absence of babies and children (which the Anthelia did seem to attract a lot of). Just the gentle sound of the crashing ocean and birdsong. Efficient staff, regularly bringing around impromptu snacks and drinks, and always being so cheerful and eager to serve, were very much appreciated. Nothing was ever too much trouble.

In summary, we had 6 days of being spilt rotten – and it was bliss! The packet of the key card read, “Your key to paradise” – and it certainly was. I would recommend this hotel unreservedly, and we will return in time, like so many other people do. I think that...