Nestled on the southwest coast of Tenerife, Abama Resort has established itself as one of the most exclusive tourist and residential destinations in the Canary Islands. With more than 160 hectares of gardens, villas, and five-star services, this oasis of serenity has become a haven for those seeking an experience where luxury and tranquillity coexist in perfect harmony. Since its opening in 2005, the complex has evolved into an international benchmark for golf tourism, haute cuisine —with Michelin-starred restaurants— and exceptional service.

Following the sale of the hotel to The Ritz-Carlton chain, Abama now focuses its activity on Los Jardines de Abama, Las Terrazas de Abama, its renowned golf course, and its modern tennis courts. The resort currently reaches around 2,500 overnight stays per year and offers spectacular views of the island of La Gomera. Its sunsets, followed by memorable dinners, complete the experience for those looking to combine golf, beach, and relaxation.

In this privileged setting, we speak with Brendan Breen, one of the people who knows the evolution and essence of the resort best. With a solid career in hotel and sports management in the Canary Islands, Breen has led the modernization of the facilities for a decade and strengthened the complex’s international positioning, especially in golf and tennis, guiding projects centered on sustainability and tourism excellence.

“Irish with a northern Tenerife accent,” as he jokes, Breen is the first to arrive and the last to leave each day. He has an exceptional work ethic and a level of commitment that goes beyond the professional. His blend of rigor, humor, and passion has made him a key figure in Abama Resort’s development and one of the silent driving forces behind its excellence.

Brendan, the complex is magnificent, both for its location and its accommodations, but perhaps gastronomy is its strongest differentiating factor.

Absolutely. The island’s first Michelin star was here, on the property, at Jardín Tropical. We have twelve restaurants. When the golf course and the hotel opened, Martín Berasategui’s MB and Kabuki opened as well. Gastronomy is essential to offering five-star service. We are following the same line with the five-star hotel we’ll be opening in the north of the island, in Puerto de la Cruz: the former Gran Hotel Taoro. It’s one of the oldest luxury hotels in Spain, opened in 1890. It even hosted eight royal families before closing its doors in 1972. It will now feature 200 rooms, three restaurants, and a spa, with stunning views over all of Puerto de la Cruz.

What types of cuisine do you offer?

All kinds. At the golf hotel and at the Naghara restaurant we offer Canarian cuisine. Then we have Melvin, the fine-dining restaurant by Martín Berasategui. On the golf course we have Atlántico, which serves lunch and dinner, and the Umami Bar, which offers international and Asian-fusion cuisine.

This place is enormous, isn’t it?

Altogether it covers 160 hectares. For guests staying with us, we have an internal shuttle to move around without the need for a private vehicle: they can go to the beach, the restaurants, the golf course, or the tennis courts. We have seven courts where important ATP and WTA tournaments have been held. It’s very easy to get around within the resort.

And the surrounding area: does it offer other attractions?

The town of Playa San Juan is very close by and has local restaurants serving Canarian cuisine —perfect for going out in the evening. Something very important is that guests at Abama feel very safe. We have several groups of women who travel every year —four or six friends— and they feel completely secure within the resort. That is fundamental for us.

Comfortable and safe — two good reasons. Any others?

There are very few golf courses in the world that offer 18 holes with sea views. And then there’s the climate: in Tenerife we have seven microclimates thanks to Mount Teide, and Abama’s is one of the best. Temperatures range between 13 and 24 degrees Celsius all year long. In winter, we’re between 18 and 14 degrees, and in summer it rarely goes above 30 °C. There’s always a breeze, which makes playing golf very pleasant, any month of the year.

When is the high season?

In winter. Most of our guests can’t play golf in their home countries at that time, from around October 15th until after Easter, around April 15th. Lately we’ve noticed a mid-season in May and September: they’re not family vacation months, couples travel without children, prices change, and the atmosphere is different.

You also offer the Sándara Spa?

Yes. It’s located in our small leisure plaza, where the gourmet supermarket and the Tágara restaurant are. We’ll be opening two more restaurants there next year, probably a steakhouse and an Italian restaurant. The spa operates under the Támara brand, the same one we’ll feature at the hotel in Puerto de la Cruz.

Any other advantages of the complex?

The kids’ club is a fun learning space: children plant, create gardens, and carry out science projects.
And above all, the human touch of our team. They feel happy, and they pass that happiness on to the guests. That’s why those who come here feel at home: comfortable and happy.