TEN OUT OF TENERIFE

Chill out in the lap of luxury on scenic isle

- VICKY LISSAMAN

AS the sun slowly sets, distant sailing boats are silhouetted against the vivid pinks streaking across the sky,

I finish the last of my Aperol spritz, order another, then savour that golden spell of stillness as the colours of daytime fade into dusk.

Sofas on the elevated terrace bar at the five-star Riu Palace Tenerife hotel are the most sought after at this time of day.

They come with panoramic views out to sea and all the way down to the shining lights of the hotels and spirited nightlife of Playa de las Americas (inset right).

Just a couple of miles up the coast here at Costa Adeje, however, there is an entirely different vibe.

Centred around upscale properties, quality restaurants and bars and designer shopping, this is where to discover the swankier and more serene side of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands.

The Riu Palace, our abode for the week, occupies a prime spot on the seafront where there’s a promenade and a black sand beach, which has a great novelty factor if you have kids.

A two-minute walk down the coast will bring you to the pale-sand, Blue Flag beach of Playa del Duque, where huge waves crash into the rocks at one end, and upmarket bars and cafés are dotted around.