The best of Tenerife villas

Set close to the coast along the west coast in Callao Salvaje, Villa Sunrise offers a great stay for outdoor days, with your own private pool and patio for alfresco dining.

The lowdown… Book a six-person stay on a budget, where the restaurants, bars, shops and volcanic sandy beaches are just a short-walk away. Make your holiday even easier and hire a car. Head to the Mercadona supermarket to stock up on your essentials, then use the nearby local shops to top up.

Once you’ve unpacked, unwind on your sun loungers or relax in your own private swimming pool. Start your holiday the right way with a cookout on the built-in barbecue. Too tired to cook? Pop along to El Taller for a variety of tantalising tapas and order the zesty mojito.

Days out are easy from here. Choose to chill on a choice of nearby beaches, take a day out and drive to Aqualand water park for a splashing great time, or explore the local village of Playa San Juan. The black sand beach and tantalising seafood make Alcalá a nice excursion, too. When you’re ready, return to your villa for tranquillity and kick back.

In the know… If you’re looking for a winter sun break on a budget, this villa offers great value. Although a car isn’t essential, Villas Sunrise offers off road parking – a great option for days exploring the island.

Searching for a villa stay to please every family member? Look no further than Villa Allegra to put a smile on everyone’s face.

The lowdown… Choose a beautiful eight-person villa in the resort area of Callao Salvaje. As soon as you arrive, you’ll want to explore the perks of your sophisticated accommodation. With its own bar, chill out zone, outdoor pool, al fresco dining area beneath a pretty pergola with sea views, traditional Spanish barbecue and ornate garden, you’ll find it tricky to pull yourself away.

Villa Allegra makes for a suitable stay for all ages, with its single-story build, ensuite bedrooms and family-friendly pool. The breakfast bar is perfect for entertaining any time of day, whether you’re rustling up mid-morning snacks or playing evening card games.

If you hire a car, be sure to venture out to see the cliffs of Los Gigantes and sunbathe on the beach with a picnic. Explorers should drive to Mount Teide National Park to spend the day discovering the dramatic scenery and majestic volcano.

In the know… Holidaying with youngsters or teens? They’ll be happy to hear there’s a PlayStation 3 and DVD player here, too.

Whizz the family away to the beautifully rugged resort of Los Gigantes and stay in the contemporary Blossom villa beneath the mountains, overlooking the area of Playa de la Arena and dazzling volcanic sand beach.

The lowdown... Pick a place perfect for your Tenerife family break. Make the most of a two-story, detached, ten-person villa, where large families or two smaller families can kick back together. With your own private pool and outdoor terrace, savour fun in the sun and set-up matches, with games of table tennis, table football and a pool table to play on. Ready to relax? Let the kids splash about in the outdoor pool with inflatables, whilst you unwind on a sun lounger and catch up on your latest book.

Nearby are plenty of shops and restaurants – the beach is also within walking distance from the villa. But if you want to pack picnics, take buckets and spades, as well as changes of clothes for the whole clan, it’s easy to hire a car to make your villa holiday a breeze (and save any tantrums for the uphill walk back to the villa).

Use the car to venture further south to the centre of Los Cristianos is just a half hour drive away, where you can explore beautiful beaches, whirl on the waves with water sports and walk around the maze of boutiques and cafes just off the promenade.

In the know... Before dusk falls, enjoy a family cook-off on the villa’s terrace and feast on barbecue bites. The kids can settle down in the open plan living room with a film, whilst the adults soak up the glowing sunset views and sip sundowners.

Soak up the sea views on your Tenerife villa holiday with a stay at Playa da la Arena by the towering cliffs of Los Gigantes.

The lowdown… Set along the north west of the island, this spacious six-person villa offers an Asian inspired design, with unique imported furniture from Thailand. When you arrive, stroll outside to your own terrace with a private pool surrounded by flowers and greenery – and stop to take a breath as you gaze out to the distant ocean views.

When (or if) you decide to make tracks out of the villa, there are plenty of local eateries, bars, shops and black sand beaches just a short walk from your holiday home. Be sure to stroll along the beach promenade one evening. If you have a car, it’s easy to reach the beautiful landscape of Masca town within the mountains and drive on to Mount Teide.

Relish the choice to cook at home or use the portable barbecue outside. If you fancy dinner out, there are plenty of places to eat. Pop out to Cafe Jardin Flor Del Drago for delicious and creative dishes. Try the mouth-watering scallops followed by the flambé bananas with coconut ice-cream for dessert.

In the know… Kick back on a sun lounger and have fun with the villa’s great amenities: table tennis and a Nintendo Wii. Turn up the summer tunes on the iPod dock for that holiday feeling.