Why you need to stay at Tenerife’s pink Disney-esque hotel – with its own hidden beach

FINDING a peaceful beach away from the crowds in the Canary Islands is like gold dust.

So, as I crunched my toes into the orange sands of this secret shore in Tenerife — the only sound the lapping waves — I felt I’d really hit the jackpot.

Looking out on to the Atlantic Ocean, I spotted another of the Canaries, volcanic La Gomera, while behind me staff at a traditional chiringuito (Spanish bar) served up sizzling paellas made with local fresh fish, and flamboyant cocktails.

Access to this exclusive slice of beach heaven is easy-peasy for guests of the ultra-glam 5H Ritz Carlton Abama resort, whose fairy-tale dusky-pink buildings resemble a Moroccan palace.

I’d checked into one of its lavish villas to celebrate my 30th birthday.

The resort certainly lived up to its magical facades.

Guests were ferried to the hidden beach on a mini “train” that wound its way down to the picturesque shore.

Each immaculate villa was fit for a queen, nestled in plush botanical gardens with access to an exclusive adults-only pool for villa guests and featuring a four-poster bed and glistening marble bathroom with his-and-hers sinks.

What really makes these villas special, though, is the team of Villa Ambassadors who are at your beck and call for any snack, drink or pillow-fluffing you require.

It didn’t take me long to settle into the laid-back luxury of the vast resort.

As I sprawled out across a massage table, my masseuse announced, “Your shoulders have a lot of stress held in them,” before working deeper and deeper into my muscles.

I was spending an afternoon at the resort’s dreamy spa which is home to a water circuit inspired by the baths and steam rooms of Ancient Rome — and is not to be missed.

Guests in need of proper recuperation can book in for the Ultimate Wellness Experience, for £21pp, and personalise their own Turkish-style herbal steam bath with a choice of deliciously scented essential oils — before dipping into holistic showers, including some inspired by tropical rainfalls and others with powerful jets that pummel the body into a marvellously deep state of relaxation.

I whiled away hours on a heated lounger overlooking the cool plunge pool, and sampled the impressive list of treatments from volcanic hot-stone massages to lymphatic facial massages that leave you glowing.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion, round off all this relaxation with dinner at Japanese-Spanish fusion restaurant Kabuki.

The Michelin-star joint serves the finest set menu of sushi-like fancy bento boxes complete with quail egg and white truffle sushi, all washed down with potent, Korean-style soju cocktails.

Or there’s plenty of other food choices for those after a less extravagant affair from Italian restaurants to El Mirador — serving up traditional Canaries-themed delights such as arroz caldoso, a classic rice dish that comes with a sweet and spicy broth and fresh fish.

But it’s not just the dinners and plush facilities that make this resort so special.

There is plenty of fun on your doorstep even if you don’t fancy the busy Siam waterpark or Tenerife nightlife.

For active holidaymakers, there are hiking tours through Masca, an ancient village with views of the green, luscious mountains that wouldn’t look out of place in a Jurassic Park film. And make sure to follow up the trek with a well-deserved Tenerifian barraquito drink, made with coffee, condensed milk and a dash of Licor 43.

Or take a dolphin boat tour at Puerto Colon — known as Little Monaco thanks to the abundance of yachts — where you’ll get to marvel at the happy creatures in their natural habitat.

Golf and tennis

During the magical three-hour trip, I was able to spot dolphins and whales right up close and personal as they played right alongside the boat.

Of course, if you’re all about relaxing, then the sights from the resort are just as special. The buildings’ architecture is inspired by Moorish North Africa and Spain and its grandeur stretches as far as you can see, while the 400 acres of land are bookended by one of the many banana plantations which Tenerife is famous for.

Indeed, everything here benefits from the incredible landscape that it sits on.

There’s miles of lush outdoor space to explore at your leisure — and a golf course with sea views that are so captivating, even non-golfers could be tempted into a round at the vast 18-holer perched on a rugged hill at the top of the resort.

There’s also a terrific tennis academy, if you’re up to the challenge, that sits less than a mile from the resort and has seven beautifully appointed courts.

Personally, I’d rather spend my time lounging at the Del Mar infinity pool.

It’s one of seven here and the place where I spent many a hungover morning absorbing those serene views.

And the idyllic infinity pool is exactly where I decided to see in turning 30 — with cocktail in hand, overlooking gorgeous green hills and with the pink palace as my splendid backdrop.

I certainly felt like a Disney princess — even though I am probably now a little too old to be one.