Elevated view of the sprawling outdoor swimming pools at Meliá Jardines del Teide, featuring turquoise water, arched wooden footbridges, and surrounding palm trees under a cloudy sky.

Adeje Luxurious Adults-Only Stay: Melia Jardines del Teide Review

Since visiting Adeje a few years back, I have wanted to return, but this time to experience an adults-only resort. I was looking for a luxury stay in Tenerife without the chaos of crowded pools or the soundtrack of splashing toddlers. A place I could quietly enjoy my sangria while reading the latest blockbuster novel.

When Jet2 offered me the chance to be on their first flight from London Gatwick to Tenerife to stay at the luxury 4-star-plus, adults-only Melia Jardines del Teide for 5 nights, I jumped at the opportunity.

Here's my honest review of the resort to help you decide if it's right for your next holiday to Tenerife.

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A vertical view of a tropical garden at a resort, featuring a small waterfall flowing under an arched stone bridge. In the background, palm trees frame a view of the sea and the buildings of Costa Adeje.
Stunning terraced gardens cascade down to the pool.

What's the resort like?

Perched above the coast in Adeje, this place is a total dream for anyone who appreciates modern design. I loved that it didn’t feel like a typical crowded resort. The landscaped terraces give you so much space to just breathe and look at the sea. It’s a perfect base for couples or solo travellers. You’re close enough to walk to Playa del Duque in 15 minutes, but the vibes at the hotel are so good you might just end up staying put with a book.

With two on-site a la carte restaurants, plus a bar and a buffet restaurant, there is no shortage of places to dine. And having eaten at both a la carte restaurants, I have to say the food quality and presentation are spot-on.

Add to those plus points for staying here: a huge swimming pool, a small gym, and exercise classes, allowing you to keep the holiday eating under control if you so wish!

So whether you're looking for a few nights' break or a longer holiday, you'll find the 4-star plus Melia Jardines del Teide is the perfect option if you want a luxurious place to stay in Adeje, that caters only to adults and is away from the hustle and bustle of the beachside resorts.

A wide landscape shot showing the terracotta rooftops of Melia Jardines del Teide in the foreground, with a central swimming pool area, lush green trees, and the ocean horizon under a bright, partially cloudy sky.
My balcony view.

Getting to our hotel

Our holiday started smoothly. The Jet2 staff at Tenerife airport were friendly and welcomed us right away. We got on our transfer coach and received a helpful booklet with local contact details. The drive to the resort was easy and had great views. Even though we stopped to drop off other guests first, we arrived at our hotel in about half an hour. We were unpacked and settled in our room less than an hour and a half after landing.

Large white 3D letters spelling "COSTA ADEJE" with "TENERIFE SUR" written below, situated on a stone overlook with a panoramic view of the coastline, beach, and ocean under a dramatic cloudy sky.

What were the hotel amenities like?

As the resort is tiered, there are lifts and bridges to get around.

On Floor 5 are the reception, RETAMA lobby bar, outdoor lounge area, and breakfast restaurant. Light snacks are served at the bar until 6:00 P.M., after which the restaurants open for the evening.

Evening entertainment features singers, musicians, dancers/acrobats and is held in the lobby bar from 8.30 pm until 10.30 pm.

A chic, modern lounge area at Meliá Jardines del Teide featuring rows of small wooden bistro tables and elegant white curved chairs. The space is characterized by large, bohemian-style fringed straw pendant lights hanging from a slatted wood ceiling, with an bar and sunlit outdoor seating visible in the background.
The RETAMA bar is where the evening entertainment is held.

On level 4 are the Italian restaurant (Casa Nostra), guest rooms, and a lift that goes down to the pool area on floor -1. At first, it was a bit confusing, but after a couple of days, we had worked out where we needed to be and the quickest routes to get there!

An outdoor landing at Meliá Jardines del Teide with a wooden sign pointing downstairs toward the "Pico Negro" restaurant. The area features modern dark wood railings, lush green umbrella trees, and a view of the multi-level terracotta resort buildings under a cloudy sky.
The resort seems like a maze at first, but it is well-signposted.

Guest Rooms

Bedroom

We stayed in a corner Junior Sea View Suite on the 7th floor.

The room was spacious and airy, with a large balcony featuring two comfortable chairs and a small table, perfect for enjoying a morning cup of tea or a glass of wine before dinner, while taking in the view of the ocean across the rooftops.

There was also a sliding door with an outer rail on one side of the bedroom, overlooking the MOSAIC restaurant and the rest of the resort, perfect for allowing a gentle Atlantic breeze to flow through the room.

Guest suite interior at Melia Jardines del Teide featuring a grey sofa with accent pillows in the foreground, a small wooden coffee table, a dining nook with two chairs, and a large white bed in the background. The room has light wood flooring, white curtains, and a wall-mounted television.

The bed was king-size and extremely comfortable, with 2 individual firmness pillows for each person and a sheet and a duvet. The beds can also be made into singles.

The bedside tables had both plug sockets and wall USB points, and a small reading light popped out from each wall directly above the bed.

A modern hotel bedroom in Melia Jardines del Teide featuring a large bed with crisp white linens, an illuminated 3D geometric wall art piece above the headboard, a grey sofa to the left, and light wood flooring.

For travellers with additional people in their party, a sofa bed was in the room to accommodate them, along with a table and chairs. There was plenty of drawer and hanging space, with robes and slippers available in the room.

An expansive outdoor restaurant terrace at Meliá Jardines del Teide, featuring rows of wooden tables, white umbrellas, and long white cushioned bench seating under the sunlight. Terracotta-colored resort buildings and a distinctive stone tower are visible in the background.
The view from my side window over the outdoor breakfast area and bar patio.

Bathroom

Our bathroom was large with 2 sinks, a large walk-in shower, a hairdryer and fragrant RITUALS shower gels and creams. Having used this brand at home for years, I was thrilled to discover their luxury range during my stay. I was also pleased that the bath towels were high-quality and large, something often lacking in other hotel chains.

Interior view of a contemporary bathroom at Melia Jardines del Teide with double sinks, a large illuminated oval mirror, a walk-in shower, and wood-style flooring.

The only downside is that the only mirror near a plug socket is in the bathroom, so when you've had a shower and want to style your hair and make-up, it's very hot and humid. A mirror on the wall by a plug socket in the bedroom would be an added bonus for ladies.

In-room entertainment was a decent-sized flat-screen TV, but with limited international channels, so if you intend to watch some favourites from home, you will need to bring a laptop with an HDMI cable, an Amazon Fire TV Stick, an Android TV Stick, or similar.

While our stay had its highlights, the housekeeping services were inconsistent. We experienced a significant privacy lapse when a staff member entered the room without knocking when I was in a state of undress. Additionally, cleaning tasks — such as sweeping and replenishing tea and coffee — were occasionally overlooked.

On the technical side, we were advised by staff that the AC system is dated. It wasn't an issue for us in the spring, but it may be a concern for those staying during the hotter months

Board

We were on a bed-and-breakfast package; however, there is the option to upgrade the holiday to half board or all-inclusive. All-inclusive includes breakfast and dinner at the buffet restaurant, plus the option to order à la carte for lunch at Pico Negro. Local drinks are included for 12 hours per day.

There is a private swimming pool for guests who have booked THE LEVEL package. This package also offers guests an alternative breakfast venue (the Casa Nostra restaurant) and complimentary afternoon snacks, tea, and coffee. Even if you haven't originally booked the THE LEVEL category, you can upgrade on arrival. We were quoted an extra €200 per night, which, in our minds, wasn't worth it.

Restaurants

The resort has 2 à la carte restaurants and 1 buffet restaurant. I think for a short stay, there is enough choice without leaving the resort. For variety during longer stays, you can either walk down to the seafront restaurants, take a taxi to La Caleta, which offers some fine dining options, or dine at the restaurants we recommend just behind the Melia resort.

PICO NEGRO - Pool Area / Cocktails and Grill

For steaks and seafood with a twist, dining here is perfect.

PICO NEGRO restaurant with a rustic thatched roof and hanging wicker light fixtures, situated next to a swimming pool. The scene shows outdoor heaters, white curtains, and a mix of stone and terracotta architecture under a cloudy sky.
Pico Negro Restaurant.
Angie looking at a menu in a tropical-themed resort restaurant with modern decor and an open-air layout.
I was happy with the menu choices available.
Pico Negro Restaurant menu.

We chose:

Crispy Oxtail Croquettes.

Wakame Salad and roasted tuna with vegetables.

Pico Negro Burger (not shown).

Smoked olive oil ice cream.

CASA NOSTRA - 4th floor Italian

If you fancy a pizza or pasta, this is the place for you.

Casa Nostra Menu.
A stylish resort dining room with woven chairs, stone columns, and warm ambient lighting, featuring a tree growing through the center of the space.
Seating by a patio heater was perfect for an outdoor dinner in March.

MOSAICO - 5th Floor - Buffet Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Breakfast

Breakfast at MOSAICO (5th Floor)

While MOSAICO offers a wide selection of food, our experience was a bit mixed. We found the made-to-order omelettes were consistently served quite runny; while this might suit some, it wasn't to our personal taste. Also, the pastries were quite dry. What brought smiles to many guests' faces was the bottles of bubbly and vodka for making mimosas and Bloody Marys for a good morning tipple.

A beverage station featuring an ice bucket with champagne bottles and a Bloody Mary DIY setup with tomato juice, vodka, and spices on a white countertop.

On the bright side, I pivoted to the continental selection, which turned out to be a highlight. The assortment of cheeses, hams, and fresh salads was excellent—especially when paired with the quince jam. It was a delicious alternative that I thoroughly enjoyed.

A wide selection of fresh pastries, croissants, and donuts displayed on tiered wooden stands at a resort breakfast buffet.
Pastry station.
Six bowls of various fresh tropical fruits, including melon, pineapple, and grapes, arranged at a hotel breakfast station.
Fruit station.
Waffle, pancake and hot food station at Melia Jardines del Teide.
Waffles, pancakes and churros for a sweet breakfast treat.

The Coffee Situation

The on-site coffee machine produces a standard, drinkable brew, though it felt a bit mediocre compared to the high standards of the rest of the resort.

  • Top Tip: If you are a coffee enthusiast, it is worth making the trek to Yugen in Adeje. It’s a bit of a walk, but the quality is exceptional.
Angie, travel blogger, sits at a wooden outdoor table. In front of her, two ceramic mugs of latte art sit on a wooden tray with silver spoons. The background shows a sunny outdoor cafe setting with palm trees and a mountain in the distance.
Good Coffee = Happy Angie.

Evening Meals vs. Breakfast

It is worth noting that the breakfast experience felt slightly underwhelming compared to the evening dining experience. We had several dinner meals at the on-site restaurants that were truly delicious. Perhaps we have been spoiled by other luxury resort brands, but we felt the breakfast service didn't quite reach the same culinary heights as the resort's evening offerings.

Public areas

Melia Jardines del Teide has fantastic aesthetics. Bridges, waterfalls, stairs, palm trees, flowering plants and an airy design made the resort feel modern and contemporary. For sundowners, we loved sitting on the outdoor terrace by the lobby bar, with far-reaching sea views.

A row of modern hotel rooms with dark stone exteriors and private terraces at Meliá Jardines del Teide. Mature, spreading trees provide shade over a terracotta tiled pathway, with young palm trees planted along the border.
A hand holding a glass of chilled red sangria filled with citrus fruit slices. The background offers a wide, blurred panoramic view of the Costa Adeje coastline, resort rooftops, and the Atlantic Ocean under an expansive sky.
You can't visit Spain without having sangria!

I particularly liked the swinging bed in the reception and the beautiful plants, both growing in the grounds and also the freshly displayed flower arrangements in the lobby.

Angie relaxing on a large hanging daybed with decorative pillows at Melia Jardines del Teide.
A first-person perspective of a hand holding a crystal flute filled with sparkling rosé wine. In the background, a large, textured white vase holds a lush arrangement of pink lilies, blue sea holly, and greenery.
A welcome glass of cava awaited our arrival at the resort.

Swimming pool

There are two pools, but the smaller one is exclusively for use by guests who have upgraded to THE LEVEL. As I mentioned earlier, the LEVEL category is on floors 4 and 5 and gives guests in those rooms access to a smaller pool, and breakfast is served in Casa Nostra (a smaller, more intimate dining area than MOSAICO). There is also afternoon tea, coffee and nibbles available for LEVEL guests.

The main pool area is large and well-equipped with plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas. It is aesthetically pleasing with wooden bridges criss-crossing the water and an abundance of palm trees and foliage planted all around the pool. Bali beds can be booked at an additional charge if you fancy something special.

The Melia Jardines del Teide heats its pool, but the water still felt chilly. Regardless, we didn't let that stop us from swimming.

Towel cards are given out at check-in; you swap them daily for pool towels. Some hotel chains restrict towels to the resort, but Melia Jardines del Teide allows guests to take pool towels to the beach, which is helpful.

A scenic view of a sprawling turquoise pool at a tropical resort. Two dark, decorative wooden bridges span different sections of the water. The pool is lined with white tiles and surrounded by a stone patio, with a backdrop of numerous tall palm trees and a bright, sunny sky.

A small bar serving drinks and light bites is in the pool area, as is the spa and a small gym.

A list of weekly activities is available on the printed sheet at reception and via a QR code, including yoga and aqua aerobics. The sheet also gives you dining hours and the Wi-Fi code. On the reverse, you'll find a layout of the resort to help you find your bearings.

A close-up, angled shot of a resort information pamphlet featuring a large QR code for activities and entertainment, along with Wi-Fi login details and dining hours.
paper map of the resort layout of Melia Jardines del Teide.
Angie, travel blogger, with her hair in a ponytail sits at a lat pulldown machine in a gym, viewed from behind as she reaches up to grasp the weighted bar.
I had to try to work off some of the delicious food I'd eaten!
Rows of stationary exercise bikes arranged on a tiled outdoor terrace under a wooden pergola, overlooking a coastal town and the ocean.
Start the morning with an outdoor spin class.

Exploring Adeje's Beaches

Adeje has the best weather in Tenerife, so it's all about beach time here.

Playa del Duque is the most popular beach in Adeje and is closest to the Melia Jardines del Teide.

To exit the resort, there is a key-controlled gate in the lower right corner of the pool area.

If you decide to walk to the beach, head down the hill to the crossing, cross, then continue straight ahead, keeping the golf course on your right. You'll then make your way down the steps, taking you past shops, and hey presto, you'll be at Playa del Duque.

Alternatively, hop on the complimentary resort transfer bus, which runs twice a day at 11:00 A.M from the hotel and back at 4:30 P.M. from the beach area.

Remember, what goes down must come up, so you might want to consider using the hotel transfer to avoid the uphill trek after a day on the beach.

A wide view of Playa del Duque beach with light tan sand, thatched umbrellas, and palm trees under a partly cloudy sky, with large green and reddish leaves in the foreground.
The golden sands of Playa del Duque.

Beaches in Costa Adeje are a mix of black volcanic and white sands. If you walk down to the seafront from the hotel and turn left, you will pass Playa del Duque, Playa de Fanabe and Playa Torviscas, finishing at Puerto Colon. A right turn at the Plaza Duque Shopping Centre will take you past Playa El Beril, Playa de la Enramada and on to the fishing village of La Caleta.

Fanabe Beach backed by shops in Adeje, Tenerife.
Fanabe Beach.
Black volcanic beach in Adeje Tenerife.
Playa El Beril.
Black Volcanic sand beach in Adeje Tenerife.
Playa de la Enramada.
A cluster of white and pastel-colored buildings built directly along a rocky coastline, featuring a white pedestrian seawall overlooking a deep blue ocean under a clear sky in La Caleta, Tenerife.
La Caleta.

We soaked up the sun on the white sands of Playa del Duque. We skipped the rental beds and umbrellas and opted for the simple joy of sitting on towels, followed by a quick dip in the sea. Perfect!

Restaurants near Melia Jardines del Teide

While we both agreed the dishes we had eaten at the hotel's à la carte restaurants had been delicious, we always like to try out local establishments as well, and we found 2 right behind the resort.

The first we visited was KARBON, and the 2nd was CHAR. Our favourite was KARBON, as the sharing menu appealed to us and we loved the restaurant's airy design. All dishes were fresh, and the concept of mixing flavours was perfect.

A modern outdoor restaurant patio featuring a wooden dining table set for four with white plates, wine glasses, and copper-toned cordless table lamps. The seating consists of stylish woven bucket chairs with cream-colored cushions. The architecture above features a striking, wavy white overhang that frames a bright blue sky, while large glass windows reflect the interior and surrounding greenery.
KARBON.

At KARBON, we ate:

Goat's cheese with pumpkin jam.

Braised beef with vegetables.

Poached Pear with honeycomb ice cream.

At CHAR, we ate:

Chargrilled chicken (and fillet steak - not shown).

Deconstructed carrot cake.

Mr P enjoyed an after-dinner Barraquito - typical Canarian layered coffee with liquor.

Things to do in Tenerife

Tenerife is a big island, and to get around, you will need a car or join a tour. For an easy-to-follow island itinerary, check out my post: Tenerife Self-Drive Day Trip: From South to North.

There are also plenty of watersport options to choose from, including jet-skiing and boat tours that you can book in Puerto Colon (harbour).

A vertical landscape view of the small mountain village of Masca nestled among steep, dark volcanic cliffs. In the foreground, green prickly pear cacti and palm trees frame a prominent, sharp rock peak that towers over red-roofed buildings. The deep blue ocean is visible in the distance under a clear sky.
Masca.
Wide-angle view of the Garachico coastline in Tenerife, featuring the iconic Roque de Garachico islet, crashing Atlantic waves, and the white-washed buildings of the historic town.
Garachico.

How to book this holiday

Click here to search availability and prices for holidays to Tenerife with Jet2Holidays.

Book here for my exact luxury holiday to Melia Jardines del Teide with Jet2Holidays.

Final Thoughts

We stayed at the Melia Jardines del Teide for 5 nights as part of a Jet2Holiday package. It was the perfect amount of time to relax at the resort, spend time on the beach, and hire a car to explore the island for a day.

Disclaimer: My holiday to Tenerife was a press invite from Jet2.com. However, the opinions in this review are based entirely on my own experiences of Melia Jardines del Teide.

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