You’ve probably seen the photos. Those terra-cotta roofs, the sprawling 60,000 square meters of greenery, and that specific shade of Atlantic blue that looks like someone cranked the saturation up to ten. Honestly, choosing a place to stay in South Tenerife is a bit of a minefield because everything claims to be five-star. But the Anthelia hotel Costa Adeje Tenerife (properly known as the Iberostar Selection Anthelia) has this weird staying power.
It isn't the newest kid on the block. It was built in 1999. In hotel years, that’s practically ancient, yet it consistently outranks the flashy, minimalist glass boxes popping up down the coast. Why? Because it’s built like a Canarian village, not a hospital. You don't feel like you're in a "unit." You feel like you're in a neighborhood.
The Location "Sweet Spot" Most People Miss
Most people talk about "beachfront," but in Costa Adeje, that can mean anything. The Anthelia sits on a rocky little promontory. It's basically the meat in a sandwich between Playa de Fañabé and Playa del Duque.
If you turn right out of the hotel gates, you’re heading toward the high-end, posh vibes of El Duque with its designer shops and golden sand. Turn left, and you’re in the middle of Fañabé’s lively promenade, full of bars, supermarkets, and that classic holiday buzz. You’re literally 25 meters from the water.
What’s Actually Inside?
The room situation is a bit of a journey. There are 367 of them spread across five separate buildings. If you’re traveling as a couple, the Sea-View doubles are the standard "win," but the real secret for families is the Duplex Suites. These are spread over two floors—74 square meters of space.
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- The Duplexes: Living room and sofa bed downstairs, master bedroom upstairs. Two bathrooms. Total game changer if you don't want to go to sleep at 8:00 PM because your kids are in the bed next to you.
- The Terrace Life: Most rooms have these massive balconies. Pro tip: ask for a "Priority Location." It usually means you're on a higher floor with a clearer line of sight to the ocean rather than looking at a palm tree (though the trees are nice too).
The Pool Hierarchy
There are six pools. Yes, six.
One is saltwater. Two are freshwater. Three are for kids.
The main saltwater pool is usually the social hub, but if you want to avoid the "splash zone," there’s a quieter freshwater pool tucked away in the gardens. For the kids, there’s a full-on pirate ship with slides. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, and it’s exactly what keeps them occupied while you actually finish a book for once in three years.
Let’s Talk About the Food (The Zeus Factor)
Buffet food usually feels like a cafeteria. I’ve stayed at places where the "themed night" is just different colored napkins. The Anthelia’s main restaurant, Zeus, is actually legit.
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They have a chocolate fountain. It’s a bit of a cliché, sure, but seeing a kid realize they can put a marshmallow under a literal waterfall of Lindt-quality chocolate is worth the price of admission. Beyond the sugar, the show cooking is the real highlight. You'll see chefs searing sea bass or carving Iberian ham right there.
If you want to escape the buffet, you have options:
- Poseidón: This is the gourmet one. Think white tablecloths and local ingredients. Chef Jose Miguel Barrera does an ingot of foie gras that people talk about for months.
- Portofino: Italian. Good for when you just want a decent pizza or fresh pasta without the fuss.
- Sea Soul: This is the beach club vibe. Great for oysters and watching the sunset with a cocktail. It's right on the edge of the property.
Is the All-Inclusive Worth It?
In 2026, everyone is trying to save a buck, but "All-Inclusive" can be a trap. At the Anthelia, it’s usually worth it if you enjoy the bars in the evening. The "Hall Bar" has live music every night—singers, acrobats, the whole deal.
If you’re just a "bed and breakfast" person, you might find the local prices on the promenade a bit steep for a family. Honestly, the quality of the booze and the snacks at the pool bar (Zumería) makes the upgrade feel less like a budget move and more like a luxury one.
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The Sustainability Thing
Iberostar has this "Wave of Change" movement. It sounds like corporate fluff, but they’ve actually removed single-use plastics and only serve sustainably sourced seafood. The hotel runs on 100% renewable electricity. In an era where Tenerife is struggling with the environmental impact of tourism, staying somewhere that actually gives a damn about the local coastline feels better than staying at a place that just puts a "please reuse your towel" sign in the bathroom.
Actionable Tips for Your Stay
If you’re actually booking the Anthelia hotel Costa Adeje Tenerife, keep these things in mind to get the most out of it:
- Download the App: They use an app for everything now—booking dinner at the à la carte restaurants, checking the "Star Camp" schedule for the kids, or seeing what the gym classes are.
- The Spa Thermal Circuit: It’s not free unless you’re in certain room categories, but the "SPA Sensations" thermal circuit is incredible. It has waterfalls, cold plunge pools, and a Finnish sauna. Go around 2:00 PM when everyone else is at lunch—it's much quieter.
- The Right Turn: When you leave the back of the hotel to go for a walk, turn right. The path toward La Caleta is much more scenic and less "touristy" than the path toward Playa de las Américas.
- Dress Code: Gentlemen, bring long trousers for dinner. They are surprisingly strict about this in the à la carte restaurants. No one wants to eat fine dining next to a guy in cargo shorts.
The Anthelia isn't the cheapest place in Tenerife, but it’s one of the few that feels like it has a soul. It’s clean, the staff actually seem happy to be there, and the location is arguably the best on the south coast. If you want a guaranteed "good" holiday without the gamble of a brand-new resort that hasn't found its feet yet, this is the one.
Check the booking calendars for February or October. The weather is still perfect (around 22°C to 24°C), but the crowds at the buffet are way more manageable.