Rockstar Living: Discover Tenerife’s Ultimate Getaway at the Hard Rock Hotel

My latest ‘cruise experience’ didn’t take place on a ship, but it started in Dublin. A four-hour flight later, after glimpses of distant volcanic islands and endless ocean below, we began our descent into Tenerife. The view immediately brought back memories of the movie ‘Jurassic World’ — that mix of awe and suspense as they approach a remote, wild island surrounded by untamed waters. There’s a feeling of stepping into the unknown, as if the island holds hidden wonders waiting to be discovered. And that hidden wonder? – is Tenerife.
The airport transfer is about 15 minutes and then I check in to The Hard Rock Hotel. I immediately feel like I have checked in for a cruise except this time, its docked in Tenerife for three days. The cruise comparisons are so relatable as everything you need is in one location.
The hotel is a sleek and vibrant resort located along the southern coast of the island, offering a mix of luxury and rock ‘n’ roll energy. The architecture is modern, with clean lines and a striking contrast of white and dark tones, featuring glass and stone elements. Two towering hotel buildings rise above the lush, palm-filled grounds, giving guests panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean with Mount Teide and the Anaga Mountains in the background.
Inside, the décor combines contemporary design with music memorabilia, creating a chic yet energetic atmosphere. The lobby features bold lighting, stylish furniture and walls adorned with guitars and rock star portraits. The hotel memorabilia tour guide, takes us down memory lane with a poignant Beatles photo story, laid out along a wall. Elton John’s extravagant costume is in full view as you are welcomed in to the hotel, so many music-themed details are found throughout the hotel giving it a lively vibe. A large round platform is positioned as a centre piece in the foyer for the nightly entertainment and ample seating for guests to sit and singalong with the entertainers.
As I stroll around, I discover the hotel has three extensive pools, including the larger of the three, a lagoon-style pool with tropical landscaping, sun loungers and private cabanas. There’s also a private man-made beach club, offering guests the chance to relax by the water with cocktails in hand. A mix of speciality restaurants including Montauk ( steakhouse style) Narumi (Asian style) Suena Chido (Mexican style) are available for guests. There is also the Beach Club and the Splash poolside bar and Sessions reminds me of the infamous Windjammer buffet on the Royal Caribbean cruise ships. Whether you are looking for gourmet dining options, casual poolside snacks or a more sophisticated fine dining option, the Hard Rock caters for all appetites.
The rooms are a blend of sleek luxury and rockstar flair, with floor-to-ceiling windows, chic furniture complete with sound systems ready to crank up your favourite tunes. Step out onto the balcony, kick back in the cosy outdoor lounge chairs and soak in epic views of the ocean or the island’s rugged landscapes. The Rock suites range from studio, deluxe, VIP and they are huge, some have private hot tubs, some are two room suites and can definitely cater for larger groups and families.
The hotel offers an upscale spa to unwind, a rooftop sky lounge(the 16th) perfect for catching sunsets while the music sets the mood and live entertainment that keeps the holiday atmosphere going. This is a hotel where you don’t have to go outside for anything as it caters for all your holiday needs inside.
Things to do in Tenerife range from a Mount Teide Tour with cable car in the national park, kite surfing, water parks (Siam Park), the Tenerife Zoo Monkey park, dolphin and whale watching, sea turtle snorkelling, La Gomera Island day trip and so much more.
I experienced the Mount Teide Tour with a fantastic guide who shared all about the volcano and the island, which is the biggest on the Canary islands. The best sunset, we are informed is from Samara volcano, there are four national parks and there are 411 craters on Tenerife. You will also see many pine trees on route to Mount Teide National Park but these are not like your average pine trees, these Canary pine trees have many layers and can fight off fires because of their layers which prevents any oxygen getting through. Its incredible to see them all jotted along the national park, amid the stark volcanic landscape. The Almond flower is Tenerife’s most iconic plant and in February it blossoms in spectacular colours of white and pale pink. The cable car is not open to visitors the day we are there as it is too windy so we detour to another part of the national park – ‘Mars’. It is exactly like stepping onto a different planet. It is truly spectacular with huge jutting rocks and gravel crunching under our feet. Walking around here I immediately feel like I am in the scene from the movie “Picnic at Hanging Rock.”
The volcanic landscape slowly disperses as we drive back to the hotel and experience the legendary Hard Rock Pool party. Imagine this: a massive lagoon-style pool surrounded by lush palm trees, the sun high in the sky and a DJ based in the centre playing dance music that keeps the energy going all day long. The music is loud, the vibes are electric and everyone’s either dancing, floating on colourful inflatables, or lounging poolside with a drink in hand.
Swim-up bars serve up perfectly mixed cocktails, so you can sip a mojito while you cool off in the water or relax in a private cabana with friends (you can rent the private cabanas which include drinks) As the day shifts to evening, the pool area transforms into a neon-lit oasis, with glowing lights reflecting off the water and creating a festival-like atmosphere.
It’s like stepping into an island festival where the music, the drinks and the good times never end but they do! And then you go and get ready for yet another speciality dinner on the hotel grounds. There are shops and restaurant bars outside but really you don’t even need to step outside.
The Hard Rock Hotel experience is the kind that leaves you craving more, already planning your next trip before you even leave. The best part? Tenerife’s warm weather is a year-round gift, meaning you can escape the grey skies of Ireland and just four and a half hours later, step right into the sun—whether it’s winter or summer. It’s the perfect getaway, any time of year.