If you have not been one of the lucky 2000 guests, that chose to spend New Year’s Eve in one of our hotels, we are going to show you a small selection of  photographs of our Buffet decorations,  hoping that you decide to spend next Year’s Eve with us!!!

The first two photographs belong to the Buffet at Hotel Bitacora, and are two beautiful ice sculptures in three colours. The ice swans were in the good company of huge carved pumpkin,  in the shape of a snake.

We could also find a wide variety of very special dishes made for this ocassion, such as this impressive tray of lobster!!.

Below, in the Buffet of Hotel Vulcano,  our chefs surprised us with a carved watermelon in the shape of a flower, surrounded by a bouquet of fresh flowers and other fruits.

At the entrance of the Buffet, we find a “cascade” of king prawns surrounded by trays of smoked salmon, lobster and other delicious sea foods.

And here is a smiling ”family photo” of the Restaurant and Kicthen teams of Hotel Vulcano, that were on duty on that night.

 This funny snail welcomed all our guests at the entrance of the Buffet of the Arona Gran Hotel.

This was the impressive salad Buffet that was prepared for this occasion.

A just a “small” representation of the Kitchen team at the Arona Gran Hotel, who is wishing you a Happy New Year!!! 

Please let us know if you ever spent Christmas or New Year with us. We’d love to hear from you!!!!

Last Wednesday, the Commercial Team of Spring Hoteles, had a “sweet duty” to endure. Our job consisted in delivering Roscones de Reyes, to some of our collaborating  Tour Operators here in the South. Roscones, like the one in the photo, which we hoped sweetened a little bit the day of our colleagues.

This Roscón de Reyes (Kings Cake), is made of a brioche like ,sweet dough, in a large ring shape, and is decorated with pieces of crystallized and candied fruits such as cherries, orange and lemon. The dough of this bun is flavored with Orange Blossom Water, which gives it such a special smell and taste. This typical Spanish cake, especially baked for Epiphany, is eaten on 5^th and 6^th January, the eve of Epiphany and Epiphany Day, when the Three Wise men visited Baby Jesus.

This typical cake, is also eaten in other Hispanic countries, such as Mexico and Argentina. A similar bun, known as “Bolo de Rei”, is eaten in Portugal, and although is also made for Epiphany the ingredients are not the same.  In France, a delicious almond paste cake,  is also made on this dates,  and is called “ Gallete des Rois”.

This Roscón de Reyes is usually served for breakfast or as an afternoon snack together with a thick & hot chocolate drink. The classic or original Roscón, like the one we delivered, is served plain, with no extra fillings. But in the last few years, there is a new trend to fill it with cream, chocolate or even crème patisserie. But we still prefer the classic one, as it reminds us of our childhood days.  Hidden inside the cake you can find a dried bean and a ceramic figurine.  The tradition states that the one that finds the dried bean, must pay the for the Roscón. And the one that finds the little figurine, will be crowned King with the dummy crown with is always included with the Roscón.

We hope you liked one of our most loved traditions!!!

Last month I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Thorn. And I say the pleasure, because its not everyday that one is lucky enough to meet a 97 year old in such a great health and sprits!!

Mrs. Thorn has been spending her holidays at the Arona Gran Hotel since 1997. She usually comes twice a year. Until 2002  she used to visit us with her late husband, but when he passed away, she continued coming to the hotel with the company of her daughters. Mr. & Mrs. Thorn started coming to the Arona Gran Hotel, when due to their age  they had to look for a place closer to home than New Zealand, where they used to spend their holidays.

Although Mrs. Thorn, still lives on her own in Bristol, she is surrounded by her family, who do not let her spend much time on her own, with her 5 children, 17 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and 11 great great grandchildren and she always has somebody around the house visiting her. 

She will continue coming to the Arona Gran Hotel, as long as she can, as her daugther says: “ These visits to the shunshine take 10 years of her”. We sincerely hope that we can keep on welcoming her, for many years to come.