The image of kiss-me-quick-hats and pint-swilling jingoists was brought about by the near-obsessive media focus on one square kilometre of funland called Veronicas and the Starco Centre. Sure, that world is there for those who quite rightly want to enjoy it, but Playa de las Americas is much more than just flashing lights, wiggling bums and a drink-till-you-drop attitude.
You only need to venture as far as the classy Safari Centre or the golden sands of Compostela Beach to see the real Playa de las Americas. Designer labels, high class dining and dancing fountains make you feel you’re nearer Vegas than Veronicas, and the calm shallow waters of Compostela Beach rival any toe-dipping experience in the Caribbean.
If you want the best of both worlds – a buzzing nightlife and an attractive place to rest your head during the day – Playa de las Americas is the place to aim for. If you want the latter but with a quieter sundown, perhaps Costa Adeje or Los Cristianos would suit you better.
For a choice of hotels, there’s got to be very few places on earth with so much choice. Frontline accommodation like the Mare Nostrum’s five hotels, or the Mexican-themed Villa Cortes fall over backwards to make sure you get the 5-star treatment. Same goes for the Hotel Las Madrigueras, sharing the grass at the 18-hole Golf Las Americas course.
Much has been done to make Playa de las Americas a world-class resort, and much more is in the pipeline. So if you haven’t been before, do not be afraid. It’s a fun, fashionable and safe place that will tick all the right holiday requirement boxes.