Exotic hotel in Spain with Maldives-style overwater rooms looks just like a Caribbean island

IF you want experiences of Bali and the Maldives without leaving Europe, you’re in luck thanks to a huge Spanish resort.

Royal River in Tenerife is just three hours from the UK, but is often lauded as the “best hotel ever to stay in”.

Having recently opened in 2020, the hotel is in the famous Costa Adeje on the Spanish island.

The five-star resort has 50 villas, including a number of overwater villas just like the Maldives.

The river villas are connected by a waterway, surrounding by jungle gardens making it feel much more tropical than Spain.

Despite all of the rooms have pool access, there are also five outdoor swimming pools at the hotel as well.

Even if you visit later in the season, the pools are heated all year round to 27C.

This includes the rooftop infinity swimming pool, with views of Mount Tiede making it look more like St Lucia than Tenerife.

It also has an indoor spa, with hammam, pool and sauna, as well as a gym.

When it comes to food and drink, there is the Kokoro restaurant, with a six-course Asian menu that has been compared to Bangkok and Shanghai.

The Flamingo Bistro serves a French five-course menu while Top Brassier Terrace is authentic Spanish tapas.

Otherwise there is the Pineapple Buffet restaurant with a range of options.

But you can even order a breakfast floating tray to your room – just like Bali.

You’ll have to start saving, with rooms starting from £560 a night.

However, its a fraction of a the cost of a Maldives-style resort, and much closer too – so can book a long weekend to try it out.

And holidaymakers who have stayed have raved about it.

One previous tourist said: “It’s the best hotel I’ve ever stayed in. The rooms are out of this world.”

Another said: “The closet to paradise you can get.”

A third remarked, after staying: “We’ve travelled the world and believed the best hotels to be in the Maldives or the Middle East…… not anymore!”

Someone even said: “If you are looking for a slice of Bali or Maldives in Tenerife this is where I would recommend.”

If you wanted to explore the rest of Tenerife, it’s easy to get to as well.

The resort is around 10 minute drive to the beach, as well as the huge Siam Park, often named the world’s best water park.

Flights to Tenerife can be found with Ryanair for £14.99 each way from Birmingham, Bristol, London, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Also in Spain is Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa which people have said is exactly like Thailand.

Just 10 minutes from Benidorm, it has lush tropical gardens, stone statues and Thai restaurants on-site.