La Plantación has some of the finest rooms on the island, a million miles away from the bog standard affairs found in most hotels. There are five categories to choose from: standard, villa, junior suite, royal suite and imperial suite. The standard rooms are a whopping 40m² and extremely well appointed according to the principles of feng shui. Still in the colonial style, all the furniture is either from the original plantation or has been specially made for the hotel. You'll find a desk, cupboard for the minibar, a butler and other 'objets' from yesteryear such as giant plant pots. The walls are decorated with old photos from the plantation days as well as bamboo features, while other amenities in the room include a flatscreen television, a comfy sofa, lamps, safe (free of charge) and quality linens on the two single beds. The spacious bathroom fitted out in peach marble boasts a double vanity with personalised toiletries, a bathtub with monsoon shower head, separate toilet and bidet, hairdryer and bathrobes and slippers. The junior suites measure an impressive 65m² and have as extra a walk-wardrobe, a large four-poster bed, tea and coffee facilities and a welcome bottle of wine. The separate living space has sofa, armchairs, coffee table and a beautiful display unit with flatscreen television and minibar. The bathroom is similar to that of the standard room but is slightly larger. The other two types of suite are simply larger with the imperial suite enjoying a private garden and jacuzzi and can make exclusive use of the hotel's butler service. The villas, which each bear the name of a plant found in front of the entrance, are located in a separate area of the hotel around the garden. While smaller than the suites they share the same amenities and boast jacuzzis and solariums as well as great views. Other nice touches are the Hermes bathroom products, the flowers floating in the bathroom sink upon arrival and the separate bathtub and shower. The butler service is also available to guests staying in the villas. All room types have balconies of varying sizes, some with loungers and all have either an oblique or full sea view, something very rare in Tenerife.

We say so often that a hotel's lobby paints a thousand words about the rest of the establishment and the magnificent hall of La Plantación del Sur is no exception. The space, which has been appointed according to the rules of feng shui, features exceptional furniture and décor from the hotel's colonial collection. Highlights include the mid-20th century gong from Timor, used to call the faithful of the island's churches, the 'trunk of life' from Borneo which faces the sun and which brings good luck if you touch it and the lamps just above this marvelous piece of wood which represent the sun. Also in the lobby placed on furniture around the stylish low seating are vases from Yogayakarta, boundary stones used to mark out the edges of rice plantations in the Sultanate of Cirebon and, next to the lifts, a cabinet once belonging to the former governor of Java, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. The hotel has five swimming pools (including one for children), which are arranged in a kind of terrace system and which are in a fabulous setting with palms and the pretty architecture of the hotel itself surrounding them. The whole area is extremely spacious and peaceful and the main area has large cabanas in which could fit a whole family! One of the pools is a special thalasso pool, another is especially for fitness and the one right at the top of the terraces has great views of the surroundings.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the hotel is its spa, nAmmu, a Vincci brand. One of the most complete on the island, and partly made to look like a cave, the centre has a comprehensive list of treatments including massage, thalasso therapies, body treatments and facials as well as some divine circuits and thermal programs. The setting is one of the finest anywhere in Tenerife and the facilities, techniques and products top draw. Of course this all comes at a price but if there is anywhere worth parting with your money, it's here.

There is an animation programme for both kids and adults, although it is not as comprehensive as in most hotels. Pool competitions, Pictionary and a mini Olympics are put on for grownups will kids can enjoy painting t-shirts or even on windows. There is also a super kids club called Vinkey attended to by jolly English-speaking staff who will take great care of your children. The room itself is set up like a primary school classroom and has everything you could imagine to keep the little ones entertained.

Other facilities at the hotel include a shop where you can buy supplies and souvenirs, free wifi in the lobby and free access to the PCs. The public spaces of the hotel are impeccable and it is a pleasure to discover the magnificent furniture collection along the corridors as well as some original black and white photography from the days when the hotel was a plantation. You'll notice also that everywhere you go a different odour lights up your senses ? a real olfactory pleasure!

The hotel has an excellent choice of bars and restaurants for the number of rooms it has. Be aware though that the hotel operates in a half board basis only so you will have to pay for your lunch whether you choose to stay in the hotel or find something elsewhere. El Buffet is the hotel's main restaurant and serves a high quality international buffet for breakfast and dinner only. The menu changes every day over a one week cycle and has a different theme each day. Another option for dinner is the chic Gourmet Canario Restaurant which serves a high-end, local cuisine with starters such as crispy poularde in tangerine sauce or refreshing watercress velouté, mains including cherne filet (Canarian speciality) and duo of Iberian pork and desserts like mango lasagna and of course banana, biscuit cream and coffee.

There are three bars in the hotel. The first, the pool bar Jaima, also serves lunch and is a particularly pleasant place to take it, sitting on the calm terrace. Not only is the food of a high quality but the service is exemplary too. The offering is a mix of local and international cuisine with sharing platters, locally caught fish, different styles of meat dishes and a few specials. In the evening it is still possible to come here for a drink after the pool has closed. The other two bars at the hotel are La Biblioteca and El Timple. Both have similar interiors to the rest of the hotel's public spaces and are spacious and highly relaxing, the former having games, newspapers and a delightful terrace, the latter boasting a fountain, cabanas and, above all, discretion (evening only).

The property, which is part of the Small Leading Hotels of the World collection, is on the site of a former banana plantation. Indeed, some of the furniture found around the hotel was originally part of the plantation. Much of the rest of the furniture has been taken from the houses of Europeans in former British and Dutch colonies and dates from the end of the 18th century up until the beginning of the 20th century. The hotel has produced a free brochure about the furniture which you can use to discover the different pieces. Although the land around the hotel no longer produces bananas, the hotel does receive a delivery of bananas from another nearby plantation which is used in its restaurants. There is a free shuttle bus which runs between the hotel and the closest beach, Playa del Duque and there are eight rooms fully adapted for guests in wheelchairs.