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My partner Lynne and I were looking for a September break in Tenerife and nearly avoided it after seeing vast numbers of look-alike apartments. Then we came across Top Rural and in particular the hotels in Oratava in the north of Tenerife. Apparently... [suite]

My partner Lynne and I were looking for a September break in Tenerife and nearly avoided it after seeing vast numbers of look-alike apartments. Then we came across Top Rural and in particular the hotels in Oratava in the north of Tenerife. Apparently there are 21 micro climates on the island; Oratava is situated just under Mount Teide; the sleeping volcano and is one of the oldest settlements. The Spanish have long since valued this area as the temperature is moderated by the misty cloud that forms around the peak of the volcano. Here you will find the hotel Alhambra, a 16th centaury building that is so ornate as to almost defy description. In the month of September that we were there, away from the heat of the nearby coast the rooms basked in a near constant 23 deg Celsius, a welcome escape after sunning oneself on the black volcanic sand of the coast. The owners of the hotel extend every curtsy and the warm welcome each time you return is most enjoyable. Once inside you can marvel at the sunken interior marble courtyard that leads off into the private rear garden with pool and citrus trees. The ground floor leads off to several rooms including one festooned with original paintings by a Spanish artist called Olazzo. He has even painted a fresco across the entire ceiling! A soft furnished room overlooks the volcano's distant peak and is a lovely place to sit and drink a coffee whilst reading. Some of the bedrooms are on the ground floor but we had one on the first floor. This necessitated climbing the magnificent wooden staircase which is a wonder in itself. Our bedroom (a double) was frankly HUGE! Well furnished with wooden furniture and a large bed it was perhaps the most inviting hotel room we have ever been in. To top it off the ensuite bathroom was also superb. Separate shower and enormous bath all tiled in exquisite patterned ceramics. In the morning the breakfast was lovely with fresh eggs, all manor of cold meats and cheeses along with yoghurts, cereals nuts and fruit. We are already making plans to book again for next year! [réduire]