Gran Hotel Taoro Reopens After 20 Years, Aiming to Revitalize Tenerife Tourism
After a €35 million renovation and nearly 20 years of closure, the historic Gran Hotel Taoro in Puerto de la Cruz is reopening, aiming to revitalize tourism in northern Tenerife with its luxury accommodations, Michelin-starred dining, and a tribute to Agatha Christie.
The Gran Hotel Taoro is about to reopen after being closed for almost 20 years! This historic hotel in Puerto de la Cruz has been completely renovated at a cost of €35 million. The goal is to make it a top European hotel and boost tourism in northern Tenerife.
Recently, officials toured the updated hotel, including the rooms and dining areas. Attendees included Rosa Dávila, the president of the Cabildo de Tenerife, and Leopoldo Afonso, the mayor of Puerto de la Cruz, along with other council members. Also present were Ignacio Polanco, Manuel Polanco, and Borja Pérez from the Timón group, which owns Tropical Hoteles.
The hotel now features 199 rooms and suites with a modern, colonial design. Local artist Alejandro Tosco contributed to the design, using high-quality materials. Guests can enjoy stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and Mount Teide.
Food lovers will be delighted with the five restaurants and a bar, all managed by Michelin-starred chefs like Ricardo Sanz and Erlantz Gorostiza. For relaxation, the hotel offers the Sandará Wellness Center with luxurious treatments. There's also a large conference center that can host 650 people, making the hotel perfect for international events.
Tropical Turística Canaria led the project, with My Way Hotels & Resorts managing the hotel. The renovation took over five years, with three years spent on construction. Architects Virgilio Gutiérrez and Eustaquio Martínez made sure to keep the building's original style, while interior designer Dishot created a modern colonial feel with warm colors that reflect the area's Atlantic heritage.
Rosa Dávila said the hotel's reopening is "fantastic news" for the economy and tourism in northern Tenerife. She also thanked everyone involved, highlighting the collaboration between the government and private companies. Lope Afonso added that the renovation has improved the quality of tourism in the area.
Leopoldo Afonso, the mayor, is excited about the opportunity to promote Puerto de la Cruz and improve the surrounding area, including Parque Taoro. Gustavo Escobar, the hotel's director, is thrilled to bring the historic building back to life after three years of hard work.
The Gran Hotel Taoro originally opened in 1890 and has a rich history. Famous people like writer Agatha Christie have stayed there. The hotel will honor Christie with a special area dedicated to her life and works, recognizing the inspiration she found there.
As the first luxury hotel in Tenerife, it played a key role in the development of tourism in Spain and the Canary Islands. It closed in 1975 but reopened in 1979 as the Taoro Casino, which operated until 2006.
For nearly 20 years, the building was mostly unused. In 2019, Tropical Turística Canaria won the bid to renovate the space, leading to the upcoming reopening. The Gran Hotel Taoro is set to become a leading tourist destination in the Canary Islands once again.