Compare
Gran Hotel Taoro or Hotel Botánico & The Oriental Spa Garden?
Gran Hotel Taoro and Hotel Botánico & The Oriental Spa Garden are both five-star hotels on the upper slopes of Puerto de la Cruz, both with heated pools, a full spa, a gym and a bed and breakfast or half board option. Neither is on the beach. The real difference is character. Gran Hotel Taoro is a restored 1890 grand hotel of 199 rooms with five restaurants and views over the Atlantic, the Orotava Valley and Mount Teide. Hotel Botánico has 212 rooms in tropical gardens, a large Oriental spa and Playa Martiánez about 700 m away.
Gran Hotel Taoro suits couples and families who love history and views. Hotel Botánico suits couples, spa lovers and families in school holidays who want classic five-star service and a kids' programme.
Puerto de la Cruz · 5
Gran Hotel Taoro
Puerto de la Cruz's restored 1890 grand hotel on the Taoro hill, with heated pools, a spa and five restaurants.
Choose it if you want a restored 1890 grand hotel with views of the Atlantic, the Orotava Valley and Mount Teide.
Puerto de la Cruz · 5
Hotel Botánico & The Oriental Spa Garden
A grand five-star set in tropical gardens, with a large Oriental spa, heated pools and four à la carte restaurants.
Choose it if you want tropical gardens, the 3,500 m² Oriental Spa Garden and Playa Martiánez about 10 minutes’ walk away.
Side by side
| Fact | Taoro | Hotel Botánico |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Puerto de la Cruz | Puerto de la Cruz |
| Type | Hotel, 5 stars | Hotel, 5 stars Gran Lujo |
| Rooms | 199 | 212 |
| Guests | All ages | All ages |
| Meal plans | Bed and breakfast, Half board | Bed and breakfast, Half board |
| Beach | Not confirmed | About 10 min walk to Playa Martiánez |
| Pools | 3, heated | 3, heated |
| Spa | Spa | Spa |
| Kids’ club | No | Yes |
| To Tenerife South airport | About 71 min by car | About 66 min by car |
| Book through | Expedia or the hotel | Expedia or the hotel |
Drive times are routed without traffic or snow. Checked October 2026.
Where they differ
History and setting
Gran Hotel Taoro opened in 1890 as one of Spain's first grand hotels and stands among century-old gardens on the Taoro hill. Hotel Botánico, a five-star Gran Lujo, sits in about 25,000 m² of tropical gardens and belongs to the Loro Parque group.
Spa and pools
Hotel Botánico has the Oriental Spa Garden, 3,500 m² with heated pools, a thermal circuit and Asian-inspired treatments for guests aged 16 and over. Gran Hotel Taoro has the Sandára wellness centre with a sauna, Turkish bath and treatment rooms, a Technogym gym and an outdoor yoga space. Both have heated pools.
Food
Both hotels have five restaurants. Gran Hotel Taoro has a breakfast buffet, a poolside grill and a gourmet bistro. At Hotel Botánico, dinner is à la carte, at La Parrilla, The Oriental, Il Pappagallo and Brunelli's steakhouse, rather than buffet, so every evening feels like a proper night out.
Children and beach
Gran Hotel Taoro has a children's pool and rooms facing the gardens, mountains or ocean. Hotel Botánico runs a kids' programme in school holidays and has Playa Martiánez about 10 minutes' walk away, with the Paseo de San Telmo and Lago Martiánez also within walking distance.
Questions
Is Gran Hotel Taoro or Hotel Botánico better for a spa stay?
Hotel Botánico has the larger spa, the 3,500 m² Oriental Spa Garden, with heated pools and a thermal circuit. Gran Hotel Taoro has the Sandára wellness centre with a sauna, Turkish bath and treatment rooms, plus a Technogym gym.
Which is closer to the beach, Gran Hotel Taoro or Hotel Botánico?
Hotel Botánico, with Playa Martiánez about 700 m away, around 10 minutes on foot. Gran Hotel Taoro stands on the Taoro hill above Puerto de la Cruz and suits guests who value the views and gardens.
Are Gran Hotel Taoro and Hotel Botánico good for families?
Both take families. Gran Hotel Taoro has a children's pool, and Hotel Botánico runs a kids' programme in school holidays. Both are five-star hotels in Puerto de la Cruz with heated pools and bed and breakfast or half board.
Sources: granhoteltaoro.com, granhoteltaoro.com, granhoteltaoro.com, hotelbotanico.com, hotelbotanico.com, hotelbotanico.com.