Island’s trendy new Hard Rock Hotel is a nirvana for music buffs
The corridors are crammed with star memorabilia, from The Beatles to Michael Jackson and Katy Perry - but anyone can feel like rock royalty in this 5* resort
BLISSFULLY lying back, the only blues surrounding me are the cloudless sky and the aquamarine G&T in my hand.
As I think of the chilly weather I left back home, I'm more than a little smug.
The new Hard Rock Hotel in Tenerife, only the second in Europe, ticks every box and I immediately feel like a VIP.
The corridors are crammed with musical memorabilia, from The Beatles to Michael Jackson and Katy Perry.
But anyone can feel like rock royalty in this 5* resort — there's even a service that whisks a Fender guitar to your room for you to make sweet music with.
I decided, mainly for the sake of my fellow guests, that this was perhaps just a little too rock-star for me and chose instead to check out the spa.
Opting for the Rhythm and Motion massage, I was a little nervous when I saw a small plastic bubble dangling precariously above the bed. It turns out this is a speaker that hovers over your head to give a soundtrack to your treatment.
I drift in and out of sleep to the sounds of chilled house music. It's easily the most relaxed I've felt in months.
The hotel has 624 guest rooms and 259 suites spread across its two towers, Oasis and Nirvana.
My bed is bigger than my entire room at home and is so comfy I'm tempted to nap instead of going for a drink after my massage.
But instead, I head to The 16th, the gorgeous rooftop bar, just as the sun sets.
It's the perfect place for a cocktail while you soak up the last of the day's rays, and there's live music most nights to accompany those stunning views.
The next morning, after a breakfast of pancakes and waffles at Sessions buffet restaurant — calories don't count on holiday, right? — it's time to head to volcanic Mount Teide National Park.
Pulling on my walking boots brings back memories of damp GCSE field trips. But boy, the Lake District this is not.
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Even my whiny teenage self would be impressed.
The landscape is simply out of this world. Almost literally. Our guide explains some of the landscape is formed of "moon sand" and is one of the terrains on Earth most similar to the moon.
In fact, research robots have been tested here before being sent into space.
For the ultimate view, take the cable car to the summit of Mount Teide, 3,718m above sea level. After the day's adventures there's just time for a quick change before dinner at Narumi, with its Asian fusion menu.
It's one of six restaurants at Hard Rock to tempt your taste-buds. They are not cheap but worth it for a special meal if you are on bed and breakfast.
There are a few restaurants nearby in Playa Paraiso but half-board might be the better option if you don't want to head out every night.
Next morning the chill-out continues at Hard Rock's beach club.
I spend the day sipping cocktails and lazing by the incredible seawater lagoon while taking in the ocean views from the comfort of a Balinese daybed. If the beach isn't your thing, there are three heated pools, including one perfect for kids and another that is adults-only and features relaxing tunes bubbling up from the water.
It's a good idea to get in as much downtime as possible because Hard Rock comes into its own when the sun sets, the music ramps up and 5,000 revellers party by the huge open-air stage.
The hotel's theme nights are included for residents but attract partygoers from across the island.
I went to the Children Of The 80s night, which is back with a bang on March 18 with house music legend Kym Mazelle.
The retro fun continues throughout the summer with classic tunes, incredible pyrotechnics and some amazing live performances.
If the head is a little sore the next morning, packing the children off to the Roxity kids' club is the way to go.
The club is free for four to 16-year-olds and includes mixing classes, hip-hop workshops, Guitar Hero sessions and Xbox competitions.
There's even a club for little ones from six months to three years.
And once a week it opens from 7pm until midnight so you can have a proper, grown-up night out.
Whatever your age, I defy any child of the Eighties, Nineties or in fact any era to leave the Hard Rock not yearning to come back and tune in again.
GO: TENERIFE
GETTING/STAYING THERE: British Airways Holidays has seven nights' B&B at the 5* Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife from £729 per person including flights from Gatwick on selected dates in May. Book by March 31 at . For hotel info, see .