Gran Melia Palacio de Isora Resort & Spa

One of the snazziest resorts on the island, this five-pearl resort manages to feel relatively small -- even though it sits on 19 acres -- because it's divided into five zones. At its center, a spacious lobby is decked out with marble and striking, contemporary decor, done in neutral tones with pops of bright pink. It feels almost like a Southeast Asian spa, with ambient music and pumped-in spicy and floral fragrances. 

Below the lobby is a gorgeous terrace, with an eight-point star fountain and palm trees. It's a relaxed space by day, but at night, the vibe changes. Fountains are illuminated -- there are even choreographed fountain shows, Vegas-style -- and loads of guests come to dine, drink, and enjoy the entertainment. The grounds are fantastic for strolls day or night, with grassy areas and ocean views. Staff members are on-hand but keep their presence discreet; orange pillar-style call boxes for summoning assistance are stationed throughout the property.

The hotel offers a few exclusive options, which can be a tad confusing. There's a high-end section, Red Level, that's listed on online travel sites as a separate resort, though it's connected to the main property. It follows a resort-within-a-resort concept, with plenty of its own amenities, including reception, though Red Level guests also have access to the main resort's facilities. Families can opt for Red Level for Families (it has nothing to do with the similarly named exclusive section), which includes a designated concierge and check-in area, family spa treatments, a separate lounge with books and computers for adults, plus an all-day drop-off daycare. There are also exclusive poolside areas for Red Level for Families guests, and separate pools for members of the hotel's Club Melia rewards program. 

The Gran Melia is located in the quiet community of Alcala, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. There's not much of interest in the immediate vicinity beyond a few restaurants, a Cash & Carry, and a shop selling wine and English staple items, such as tins of baked goods, though there's a lovely boardwalk nearby. It's about a 10-minute walk to Playa La Jaquita, while Playa Mendez takes 20 minutes to reach on foot. Las Americas and Los Cristianos are around a 20-minute drive south of the resort. Getting to Mount Teide and its surrounding national park at the center of the island takes about an hour by car, while the popular Masca Valley, with great hiking opportunities, is about a 40-minute drive away. Tenerife South Airport takes roughly 30 minutes by car, traffic permitting.

Gran Melia offers a handful of room types, all with similar, elegant decor. A neutral chocolate and off-white color palette is brightened with gorgeous red throw pillows, chandeliers, and ceiling accents. Furniture is predominantly wood, and units have a mix of wood-paneled and stone-tiled floors. Beds have illuminated backlit limestone headboards with a palm tree motif.  

About 85-percent of units are the entry-level Deluxe category, all with either Garden, Partial, or Frontal Ocean Views, and two twin beds pushed together, plus sofa beds. All measure 48 square meters (517 square feet), and views are the only differentiating factor. There are 71 Master Suites, which add king beds, tables and chairs, wet bars with sinks, and have larger bathrooms with jetted tubs and double-headed showers. At 68 square meters (732 square feet), there's also room for a cot. Two-bedroom Master Suites are available (connecting a Deluxe Room). Family Suites are in a separate section overlooking the family pool, and have a similar design. There are also five villas with their own pools between the main part of the hotel and the Red Level section.

All units feature private furnished terraces, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, minibars (Family Suites have mini-fridges instead), kettles (but no coffeemakers), irons and ironing boards, robes and slippers, safes, and individually controlled air-conditioning. Bathrooms are a standout, with walk-in showers with ceiling-mounted rainfall showerheads, separate wide soaking tubs, double vanities with plenty of counter space, and Clarins amenities. 

Travelers who are sensitive to fragrance should be aware that the same scent pumped into common spaces is also present in guest rooms. Also, some past guests have complained about noise from evening entertainment. 

This property offers tons of swish amenities, the crown jewel of which is its enormous saltwater infinity pool, which spans nearly the length of the property and features little islands and a hydrotherapy section. It's shallow and comfortable for wading, but deep enough for a good swim. All other pools are heated and freshwater, including an adult-only pool and a separate pool reserved for Red Level guests. There's a family pool, too, with a children's splash pool and pirate boat with a slide and fountain. There's also a lifeguarded public beach at the resort's far end, with a bar that serves light fare and lounge chair service. 

Wellness options include Spa by Clarins, featuring a lovely hydrotherapy circuit and a full range of services, plus five outdoor massage cabins and designated family hours. There's also a smallish fitness center with LifeFitness equipment, and fitness activities include dance classes, Pilates, and  Tai Chi. There's a 24-hour health club across the street with three tennis courts, three paddle courts, spinning, and archery. 

Evening entertainment ranges from live music to Atlas Theater, which regularly hosts live evening performances, including acrobatics and flamenco. For dancing, the adult-only Lava Disco is open Friday and Saturday nights. For younger guests, there's a mini-club, a playground, and a seasonal teen club with video games. 

Wi-Fi is free throughout (but spotty at times) and there's a business center with free printing and conference facilities. There's also free parking in a secure underground lot. 

The resort offers a total of eight restaurants, although one -- La Terrace -- is for Red Level guests only. Room service is available for a fee, but hours are limited. Breakfast is served in the casual Pangea, which offers huge, high-quality lunch and dinner buffets, and show cooking. For lunch and snacks, Market Grill serves salads and grills in a casual, open-air space next to the hotel's infinity pool. Also poolside, the a la carte Oasis Pool Grill serves up Mediterranean cuisine at lunch and dinner -- including great paella -- and has barbecues on Fridays.

As the name suggests, Fish Market serves fresh fish at lunch and dinner, while Club Ocean offers pizza and pasta, but is only open at night. Other options include the upscale Nami Asian Bistro, with sushi and teppanyaki, and Duo, which offers Canarian fine dining and flambe items (note that children are only allowed here a couple of nights a week). Duo also has an attached bistro bar -- Duo Tapas and Wine Bar -- with tapas versions of fine dining. 

Drinking options include Oasis Pool Bar, popular for watching sports, the all-day Lotus Bar, with cocktails, coffee, and dessert in the lobby, and the evening-only Club Ocean Bar, which regularly has DJs. Nemo's Lounge also has regular music performances and is a more elegant option, with kids only allowed on the terrace. There's also a bar down by the beach -- Areaia Beach Bar -- but food and drinks served here aren't included in the hotel's meal packages.

Breakfast-only, half-board, and full-board packages are available, and while there's no all-inclusive package, there is a drinks add-on package -- Plus Premium -- which also includes extras such as discounts on Veuve Cliquot and Bali beds. However, the package is only worth it if you are going to drink quite a lot; otherwise it's usually cheaper to buy drinks a la carte. Oasis, Market, Club Ocean, and Pangaea are all included in the full- and half-board packages, while the others cost extra. However, the hotel does offer a Dine Around option for half- and full-board guests, in which travelers can try out different a la carte restaurants without paying extra.