My Way Hotels & Resorts, the hotel management company of Tropical Turística Canaria, announced yesterday at the World Travel Market in London that the Gran Hotel Taoro in Puerto de la Cruz, owned by the Cabildo de Tenerife, is set to resume operations on April 1 of next year following an investment nearly amounting to 35 million in its refurbishment.
This international unveiling, which also included the commencement of reservations for the establishment in anticipation of its opening in spring 2025, notably aligns with the 50th anniversary of its closure as a hotel. The announcement was made during a private gathering in London organised by the Island Tourism Department.
Key attendees at the event included prominent figures from the hotel industry such as the general director of the establishment, Gustavo Escobar, and the Marketing and Sales director of My Way Hotels & Resorts, which will oversee the hotel, Rosa María Gotlib. They were joined by the Minister of Tourism for the Cabildo, Lope Afonso, the CEO of Tourism of Tenerife, Dimple Melwani, and the mayor of Puerto de la Cruz, Leopoldo Afonso.
During his address, Escobar elaborated on this significant project, tracing the historical importance of the hotel throughout the more than 130 years since it first opened as Spain’s premier luxury hotel. He emphasised its significance not just for Tenerife, but for the broader narrative of national and European tourism.
Accompanied by a stunning video showcasing for the first time 3D and dynamic visuals of the hotel’s interiors, exteriors, and façade as it will appear post-refurbishment, Escobar described the resort as “an emblem of luxury and sophistication that serves as both a historical testament and a pivotal part of Puerto de la Cruz’s identity, holding countless memories for Tenerife’s inhabitants.” He remarked, “The Gran Hotel Taoro was not merely a local landmark; it was an international beacon, favoured by Europe’s elite who sought not only an exceptional climate but also a representation of the luxury and comfort emblematic of that era.”
The director highlighted the historical connection between the Gran Hotel Taoro and the United Kingdom, which played a crucial role in the growth of tourism in Tenerife during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, alongside distinguished guests such as the Duke of Kent, King Alfonso XIII, and Agatha Christie who enjoyed their stays there. He asserted that the resort is being reborn with the objective of becoming a premier destination “for those in pursuit of exceptional service, maximum comfort, and unforgettable experiences in an iconic hotel.”
In this context, he elaborated that the refurbishment “has preserved the original architecture of the building, inaugurated in 1890, maintaining its neoclassical design while integrating an elegant colonial interior style.”
The hotel features 199 rooms and suites, which “provide a harmonious blend of historic elegance and modern comfort, offering sweeping views of Teide, the Atlantic Ocean, the mountains, and the lush greenery of its gardens that embody the island’s essence.”
In addition to its outdoor areas with stunning panoramic vistas, gastronomy “will play a pivotal role for the hotel, aspiring to establish itself as an exclusive gourmet destination for haute cuisine led by renowned national chefs,” the director remarked.