Tenerife has officially entered its “banana massage” era.
Which, honestly, sounds slightly ridiculous until you remember this is the Canary Islands and volcanic wellness treatments somehow make complete sense here.
The newly reopened Gran Hotel Taoro in Puerto de la Cruz has unveiled its new Sandára Wellness Center, adding a luxury spa and health concept to the historic hotel’s major transformation.
And they’re clearly aiming high.
A Luxury Wellness Space in the North of Tenerife
The new spa forms part of the wider rebirth of the iconic Gran Hotel Taoro, which has already expanded its high-end gastronomy offering with restaurants led by Michelin-starred chefs Ricardo Sanz and Erlantz Gorostiza.
Now the focus shifts to wellness.
The Sandára Wellness Center has been designed around Tenerife’s volcanic identity, using:
🌑 Dark volcanic stone
🪨 Natural textures
💡 Soft atmospheric lighting
🌿 Organic-inspired interiors
The whole idea is to create a calm environment connected to the island’s natural landscape overlooking the Orotava Valley.
Very spa brochure.
But admittedly, probably quite relaxing too.
Banana Massages and Volcanic Stone Treatments
Among the centre’s most eye-catching treatments are therapies using:
🍌 Banana-based products
🌋 Heated volcanic stones
💆 Exclusive cosmetic rituals
The spa also works with luxury French skincare brand Anne Semonin, known internationally for personalised facial and body treatments.
So yes, somewhere in Puerto de la Cruz right now, someone is being professionally massaged with Canary Island banana products while staring at volcanic décor.
Only in Tenerife.
A Push Towards Wellness Tourism
The opening reflects Tenerife’s growing interest in attracting higher-end wellness and health tourism, particularly in the north of the island.
For years, Puerto de la Cruz has been trying to modernise its tourism offering while preserving its historic identity.
Projects like the Gran Hotel Taoro renovation are part of that wider shift.
And while “luxury thermal ecosystem” might sound like something invented by a marketing department after three coffees, there’s no doubt the hotel is positioning itself firmly within Europe’s growing spa and wellness market.
The Return of an Icon
The Gran Hotel Taoro remains one of Tenerife’s most historic hotels, originally opened in the 19th century and long considered a symbol of tourism in Puerto de la Cruz.
Its latest reopening phase marks one of the biggest transformations the building has seen in decades.
Now complete with volcanic wellness rituals, designer spa spaces and banana treatments nobody saw coming.