The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama

Salmon-hued walls inspired by Moorish architecture rise above terraced gardens where palms give way, abruptly, to volcanic coastline, and dolphins occasionally steal attention from the parasailers offshore. This Ritz-Carlton resort on Tenerife's southwest coast holds a Forbes Four Star rating and runs large, with villas, adults-only citadels, and enough teen programming that aspiring DJs have their own stage. The landscape does most of the work; the interior just keeps things calm and cream-colored.