Ritz Carlton Tenerife Hotel Review is part of the Still The Best Trip Report.
Getting There
I took a taxi from the Tenerife South airport (see Tenerife: Take a Taxi Over Uber). It cost 50 euros. I am glad I discovered I didn’t fly into Tenerife North as the taxi price would have been more than double (see Not My Fault: Tenerife Airport, North Or South?).
I like a soft landing after landing in a new country. What’s softer than the pillows at a Ritz? After being lazy in the Iberia domestic lounge (see En Route: Iberia’s Domestic Lounge Madrid) and a flight I do not recall to Tenerife South (see Iberia Business: Madrid to Tenerife), I arrived at the Ritz Carlton Tenerife, eager to get this Still The Best Trip rolling.
Location
The hotel is an isolated oasis, far from the hustle and bustle of Playa de Las Americas. But that’s the point (see Playa de Las Americas, Tenerife: Well That Sucked).
Golf
The Abama golf course is beautiful. But a 200 euro solo round before rentals in the oppressive heat is not my idea of a good time. 
Property
It felt like I was in Morocco. 
Welcome Drink
Cuidado! When the front desk told me I could have a welcome drink at the main bar, she only said it could be an alcoholic or nonalcoholic drink. I thought that I could pick any drink from the menu. For a 15-euro caipirinha, I realized I was wrong. The welcome drink is a premix of OJ and something.
Michelin Sushi
My friend recommended trying the Michelin-starred sushi restaurant. He said it rivaled Japan. Since it was the beginning of my trip and since I didn’t come to the Canary Islands to eat sushi, I passed.
Room
I had a junior suite. Junior is an understatement. It was huge.
Patio(s)
There were two different entrances for the main patio.
There was a private entrance for the patio off the master.
Bathroom
The shower was not a rain shower. It was retrofitted to be acceptable.
Breakfast
Following my welcome drink mishap, I called ahead to see if breakfast was included. It was. It was wise to ask because there was nothing impressive about the breakfast. The eggs were good but the spread was minimal.
Beach
Living in Puerto Rico, I am spoiled by one of the world’s best beaches which is located right outside of my door. When you have such a nice beach at home, it’s hard to be impressed with other beaches.
While the beach was nothing special, I was impressed with the transport from the Ritz to the beach. At home, I have my golf cart. Here, there was a train.
Vino
“Oh, you have a water? That’s six euros,” was a comment an Italian tourist told me as I sat in the restaurant near the beach. As you can imagine, everything in the orbit of the Ritz is pricey. I lucked out by having free water in my room. My money was spent on a reasonably priced bottle of wine for 30 euros.
Overall
I used a stay cert valued at 40k points to stay at the Ritz Carlton Tenerife. The room retails for 300 euros. While it isn’t the best redemption (see Marriott Stay Certs: Let Me Warn Or Remind You Again), it was the perfect soft landing.
Round 2
After a terrible time in Playa de Las Americas, I sprinted back to the Ritz Carlton Tenerife. I burned another 35k stay-cert. The second time was much better. Here’s why:
Alcohol
Forget the welcome drink. I brought my own beer and wine.
Who needs a suite?
I’ll take a view over a suite any day. The rain shower was also better in the standard room.
Michelin Sushi
On this stay, I decided to try the sushi. Read this post to find out if a $375 dinner for one was worth it.
Overall Again
I will not be returning to Tenerife (see Guns & Butter: Tenerife Travel Guide). If you do go, go to the Ritz Carlton and stay put.
