I instantly fell head over heals for this lovely ‘South Plantation boutique hotel’. Sitting on an old banana plantation, this hotel breathes chic relaxation among an orchard of greenery that transports you directly to the tropics. The palm trees alone made me swoon, but the blue sky, plus the view of the ocean (and those adorable cacti!) were almost too much to take in. The interior is a perfect mix of Canarian tradition, colonial style and an exuberant and exquisite Asian touch. The hotel does not have a lot of rooms, and this is the true luxury. You immediately feel the ‘zen’ vibrations. Here, time stands still…for the recreation of all the senses.
The ‘South Plantation’ is built in hacienda style. The beautifully designed building makes you feel like you’re stepping into a private home, albeit…a large private home! With marble floors, chandeliers and beautiful pieces of art. The elements wood, earth and water are everywhere. The collection of furniture and decorative objects from the 18th century are all from the English and Dutch colonies, commissioned by expatriate Europeans following the fashions of their countries of origin. I saw beautiful consoles, day beds, carvings, sculptures, ceramics, benches….You can sense that the furniture is very carefully chosen and it transmits the feeling of tranquility. Neutral and subdued colours, natural fibers such as linen and cotton, which enhance contact with nature. Indirect lighting. These are all ways of feeling very, very pampered and I’m loving it….
43 delightful villas are located in a semicircle around the swimming pools and the garden. Each one with the name of a plant, they have their own garden or solarium with private Jacuzzi. The sound, the aroma, the temperature, the details and, above all, the privacy… rare to find nowadays. The combination of all this makes the villa’s the perfect destination for an idyllic getaway. There is the main building which houses guest rooms, the restaurants, the spa, the reception and the bar. In front of all this the grounds cascade down, containing five swimming pools with sunbathing areas. It is quite difficult to describe the layout in words, other than that it works, and this is what gives the hotel a true boutique feeling. I even fell in love with the wallpaper in the swimming pool bathrooms :). The Spa, I’m saving for Christmas day, but I heard that the Nammu Spa is quite lovely and it has 2.500 sqm of Spa with circuits like the “Canarian Circuit” in a volcanic cave set up. I can’t wait to have my Christmas treatment with minerals followed by a banana face mask.
In the evening , the hotel takes on a completely different ambiance. It is stunning with all the gardens and swimming pools lit. Entertainment centres around the main buffet restaurant, and is very sedate and not intrusive. Every evening there is a vocalist singing a selection of songs, a bit of a private concert. Imagine a private concert of Mariah Carey or Adele at Christmas…Eating by the pools is another of the pleasures of La Plantación del Sur. The Pool & Snack Jaima, where more informal dishes and exquisite snacks are served during the day, transforms at night into El Mercado Night & Grill, where its grilled meats in a charcoal oven are unrivaled.
Would we visit again? Absolutely. The hotel is 5* luxury, but with excellent prices compared to the competition, and I believe this is because it is set slightly back from the resort, approximately 8-10 minutes walk downhill to the promenade. This however makes for a perfectly peaceful retreat, and due to its location and layout attracts a slightly younger set, plus retired people just like my mum, who are happy to stretch their limbs to get into the main resort area. I’d highly recommend staying at La Plantacion del Sur – it’s beautiful, peaceful, and serves as the perfect escape from whatever worries or stress you’re holding onto.
Here is a bit more practical information:
The elegant rooms at the Vincci Selección La Plantación del Sur all have a balcony and sea views. They include an interactive flat-screen TV, and a separate hydromassage shower and bath. The hotel includes the Nammu Spa with thermal circuits. Massage and beauty treatments are also available. Duque Beach is just 500 m from the hotel and the hotel has a beach shuttle. There is also a fitness centre on-site. Bicycle and car rental can be organised for guests. There are 2 restaurants at the Vincci La Plantación del Sur, one serves creative Canarian cuisine using local produce; the second one, is specialised in charcoal-grilled meat. The hotel’s breakfast includes products for celiacs. There is also a bar. Vincci Selección La Plantación del Sur is 20 minutes’ by car from Reina Sofía Airport. https://en.vinccilaplantaciondelsur.com
Isabelle's travel stories 