The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama

Abama occupies a dry, sunlit stretch of Tenerife's west coast, on terraces dropping from the Guía de Isora hillside to the Atlantic. The architecture is unmissable, a red-ochre citadel surrounded by subtropical gardens and banana terraces, with the bulk of Teide rising behind and La Gomera visible across the water on a clear day.

The resort is large but broken into distinct areas: the Citadel for the social side, the adults-focused Retreat, and a separate collection of penthouses. A funicular carries guests down to a private cove of imported golden sand, one of the few on this volcanic coastline. There are seven pools, a championship golf course, and a substantial spa.

Dining is the resort's strongest suit for a property of this scale, with Michelin-starred kitchens on site alongside more casual options. The west coast microclimate means reliable sun through the winter, which is when much of northern Europe arrives.