The Ritz-Carlton Abama

The story of Abama began with a chance encounter when Jesús de Polanco, a successful Spanish telecommunications entrepreneur, visited Tenerife to see Chilean friends. The resort opened its doors in 2005 as a luxury hotel, the result of a collaboration between two masters: Bolivian architect Melvin Villarroel, who designed the aesthetics of the complex, and Dave Thomas, former Ryder Cup player, responsible for the golf course. The operating contract with Ritz-Carlton was signed in 2007, bringing the resort up to the prestigious chain's standards. Construction required monumental earthworks: between 3 and 4 million cubic meters of soil for the golf course alone, with an elevation difference of 300 meters from the top of the resort to the hotel, and a 75-meter drop to Abama Beach. The 18-hole, par 72 golf course was meticulously designed with more than 25,000 trees and palms planted, creating a unique subtropical setting where every hole except one offers views of the Atlantic Ocean and La Gomera.

Abama's architecture responds to Melvin Villarroel's fundamental principle: architecture should integrate with the landscape, not compete with it. The result is a terracotta version of a village imagined through the lens of an Arab citadel, with low-rise buildings that blend in with the banana plantations and subtropical vegetation. The 459 accommodation spaces are distributed between The Citadel, vibrant and social, and The Retreat, a boutique resort within the resort that offers greater exclusivity, tranquility and special services. The palette of materials includes terracotta, natural stone and woods that harmonize with Tenerife's volcanic surroundings. The design respects the Atlantic views from virtually every room, while the common spaces take advantage of the dramatic topography of the terrain to create terraces, cascading gardens and pools integrated into the landscape.

The Ritz-Carlton Abama stands on the sunny west coast of Tenerife, in Guía de Isora, surrounded by banana plantations and subtropical gardens. At 1,560 meters above sea level and practically in the geographical center of the island is the Roque Nublo, visible on clear days. The resort enjoys one of the best climates in Europe, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year and mild temperatures throughout the year. Abama's private beach, of golden sand, is accessible by an internal train that bridges the 75-meter drop. From the resort there are spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and the island of La Gomera. Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak at 3,718 meters, dominates the horizon. The location offers absolute privacy while maintaining access to the charms of southern Tenerife, with Tenerife South Airport a 30-minute drive away.