I went to Tenerife for sun and ocean. I left talking about plants. I know, weird. But the garden at the Vulcano Hotel got me. (Read more guest experiences on the Spring Hotel Vulcano TripAdvisor page.) It’s the first thing you smell and see. Green, cool air. Like walking into a calm, leafy hug. More on that first impression in my fuller Vulcano Hotel Garden review over on the Akkeron blog.
First Steps: A Lobby That Feels Alive
The moment I rolled my suitcase in, I looked up and just stood there. The lobby is a big open atrium, and the garden climbs all around it. Vines spill down from the balconies. Big leaves hang like umbrellas. Sunlight drops through the roof and lands on glossy leaves. It’s quiet in a nice way. My shoulders loosened.
I brushed a rubber plant leaf. It felt cool and waxy. My grandma grew a tiny one in her kitchen. This one looked like it had eaten two grandmas and asked for dessert. You know what? I smiled at a leaf. That’s the mood here.
Morning Walks With Coffee (And A Few Lizards)
Each morning, I took a small cup of coffee to the outdoor paths. The garden wraps the pool, with beds of succulents and palms. Volcanic rock borders the trails, dark and crumbly. It fits the “Vulcano” name without trying too hard.
I saw bright orange bird-of-paradise flowers. They look like tiny birds peeking from green fans. Bougainvillea hung in pink waves by the steps. Little lizards warmed on the stones, then darted off as my shadow moved. No one else was up yet. Just me, soft shoes on clean paths, and a few quiet chats from the staff as they watered. One gardener told me they water early and late to keep the roots cool. Makes sense. Heat hits fast here.
I did a nerdy thing. I opened the iNaturalist app and tried to ID a fern. The app guessed wrong. I laughed and took a photo anyway.
Shade, Sun, And A Tiny Weather Bubble
By noon, the garden makes its own cool. Palms throw shade like big hands. The air feels a touch softer in there—a microclimate, like a tiny weather bubble. I read by the pool under a palm, close enough to hear people splash, far enough to nap. My chair squeaked a little on the tiles. A leaf drifted down and landed on my page. I didn’t move it for a while. It felt right. It reminded me a little of the rooftop lounge I found at the Hotel Savoy Roma—different city, same quiet pocket feeling.
I thought I wanted the ocean view. Turns out, I loved the garden more. Strange? Maybe not. The sea is loud. The garden is a deep breath.
Night Lights And That Flower Smell
After dinner, I walked the loop again. The pathways glow with warm lights. The leaves catch the light and look painted. I caught a soft sweet smell near the walkway—jasmine, I think. My legs were tired from the day, but my brain got quiet. I sat on a low wall by the succulents and listened to the buzz of evening talk from the bar, not loud, just friendly.
If you're the type who still has energy to chat after soaking up all that calm, you can always open your phone and slide into the laid-back vibe of the Chatrandom gay version—a quick way to meet other LGBTQ+ travelers or locals on live video and trade tips before tomorrow's adventures. Likewise, if your wanderlust is already plotting a stateside detour, browsing the pulse of the Hudson Valley via Bedpage Ossining can surface real-time local listings and social events, making it easier to line up evening plans long before your flight touches down.
No mosquitoes bothered me the whole week. Maybe it was luck. Or the breeze. Either way, I was glad.
Real Moments That Stuck
- I wiped a bit of dew off a palm frond with my thumb. It sparkled, then my thumb smelled green and clean.
- A pigeon tried to drink from a tiny puddle on the lava rock, then changed its mind. Same, bird. Same.
- A leaf was stuck to my sandal. I walked ten steps before I noticed. I kept it there on purpose. Not sure why. It made me laugh.
What Could Be Better
It’s not perfect. Watering can make the stone a little slick in spots. Walk slow in flip-flops. Some chairs in the shade go fast; people claim them early. And if you have allergies, bring meds. On a windy day, the petals and pollen move.
Also, a small note: the music in the lobby at night was soft, but once it echoed up into the garden benches and felt a hair loud. I moved ten feet and it was fine. Still, worth a mention.
Quick Tips If You Love Plants
- Go at 7:30 a.m. The light is kind. Photos look rich and true.
- Look for the orange bird-of-paradise near the lower path by the pool.
- Watch the lizards on the dark rocks after lunch.
- Garden-facing rooms feel calmer than street-facing ones.
- Bring a lightweight sweater. Shade can feel cool after a swim.
- If you’re the curious type, ask the grounds crew when they trim. I learned they rotate beds so nothing gets stressed.
- Curious what other travelers think? Skim the recent guest comments on Booking.com before you lock in a room.
- Craving a different kind of seaside calm? See how the gardens meet the Mediterranean at the Louis Princess Hotel in Cyprus.
So… Do Plants Change A Trip?
For more escapes where thoughtful design meets natural calm, browse the curated stays at Akkeron Hotels.
For me, yes. The Vulcano Hotel garden made my days flow better. When the beach got busy, I tucked into the green. When my head got loud, I stared at leaves. Simple. Honest. You don’t need to be a plant person to get it. But you might be one by the time you check out.
I went for sun. I left with a camera roll full of palms and flowers. I don’t regret it one bit.