The Hotel Mencey in Santa Cruz has just reached a pretty impressive milestone… 75 years since it first opened its doors back in 1950.
These days it’s officially known as the Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey, but to most people on the island it’ll always just be “El Mencey.”
And if you’ve spent any time in Santa Cruz, you’ll know exactly the place I’m talking about.
More Than Just a Hotel
When it was first built, the idea was to create the “Gran Hotel” of Santa Cruz. Somewhere elegant that would put the city firmly on the map.
The building itself was designed by the architect Enrique Rumeu de Armas, and the property belonged to the Cabildo of Tenerife, which still owns it today.
Over the years it’s become far more than just a place for tourists to sleep. The Mencey has long been one of the main meeting points for the island’s social, political and cultural life.
If something important was happening in Tenerife, there’s a good chance it was happening at the Mencey.
A Proper Santa Cruz Landmark
The hotel sits right next to Parque García Sanabria, which is the main park in the centre of Santa Cruz, and it’s one of those buildings that locals recognise instantly.
Its neocolonial style, the large gardens, the elegant entrance… it all gives it that slightly old-school charm that you don’t see much of anymore.
Over time it’s become part of the identity of the city itself. Most people from Tenerife see it as more than just a hotel… it’s part of the island’s history.
Famous Faces Through The Doors
Over the past 75 years, quite a few well-known names have passed through the Mencey.
Artists like Joan Miró, writer Camilo José Cela, and the legendary cellist Mstislav Rostropóvich have all stayed there.
The Spanish Royal Family has visited too.
And then there’s the Hollywood crowd.
Names like Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Sofía Loren, and even Matt Damon have all walked through those doors at one time or another.
Not bad for a hotel on a small Atlantic island.
Modernised… But Still The Same Mencey
Back in 2011 the hotel went through a major renovation after becoming part of the Iberostar Group.
The building was modernised and the rooms updated, bringing the total to 261 rooms and 30 suites, but the key thing was that they kept the original character of the place intact.
The chandeliers, the architecture, the gardens and the main public areas were all preserved to maintain the building’s historical identity….which in my opinion is an excellent move.
In fact, both the hotel and its gardens now carry the official status of Bien de Interés Cultural, meaning they’re protected as part of Tenerife’s heritage.
Still The Only Five-Star Hotel In Santa Cruz
Another interesting detail is that the Mencey is still the only five-star hotel in Santa Cruz.
Most of Tenerife’s luxury hotels have been built down in the south over the last few decades, where the big tourism resorts are.
Santa Cruz has remained a bit more traditional… and the Mencey has quietly continued as the capital’s flagship hotel.
Seventy-five years later, it’s still standing there doing exactly what it was built to do.
Hosting visitors, hosting events, and quietly being part of the story of Tenerife.
Not many hotels manage that.
For the full story, you can read the original article here.