From epigenetic tests on arrival to Wim Hof breathing before breakfast, EcoHotel El Agua is redesigning luxury tourism in Tenerife.
The balmy Canarian sunshine paints dreamy shadows on the palm-dappled subtropical valley of Arico, on Tenerife’s south-eastern coast. A warm breeze caresses the lavender, rosemary and cypress bushes, releasing a tantalising aroma into the air. There is not a soul in sight. Only a sinuous row of traditional houses lines the perimeter of EcoHotel El Agua, yet their existence becomes insignificant next to the endless views that welcome guests once they step inside the grounds.
Amid expansive olive groves, EcoHotel El Agua, the most ambitious project of NAOKŌ Healing Hotels, stands as a testament to the convergence of design, integrative medicine and sustainability. This hilltop hideaway in the historic village of Arico El Nuevo is turning Tenerife’s tourism scene on its head: the Canary Islands are fast becoming a haven for those seeking a sanctuary of peace and wellness.
It is not a hotel, it is a search for a holistic way of life.
“It is not a hotel, it is a search for a holistic way of life.” This has been the philosophy of Anthony Picq, owner and founder of EcoHotel El Agua, since the birth of this ever-evolving project in 2022. Anthony’s idea to meticulously restore a 200-year-old abandoned stone farm building and revitalise the arid landscape into an area overflowing with olive, lemon, banana and palm trees is no small feat — but it doesn’t stop there. Devoted to Hippocratic medicine, phytotherapy and naturopathy, he has created a holistic spa, a lavender and rosemary plantation for making essential oils, and an extensive menu of treatments and programs. But “it is all work in progress,” he says with a smile.
Villa Olivo, a sanctuary for two, epitomises minimalist luxury and eco-conscious living. Drawing on 25 years in sustainable tourism and his work as an interior stylist and garden designer, Anthony has converted what was once a refuge for the farmers who cultivated vines into an oasis of peace. Decorated by ZIRĀ studio, the interiors pay homage to the surrounding landscape by blending Feng Shui and wabi-sabi. And what sets this intimate dwelling apart is the eclectic selection of shoppable works of art on its shelves and niches — all created with a philanthropic purpose in mind.
Anthony’s attention to detail extends to every corner of the villa: from workout equipment discreetly placed inside the wardrobe to natural toiletries such as honey toothpaste, everything invites you to let go and embrace a holistic lifestyle. There is even a library of design magazines for curious minds. Yet the true magic of Villa Olivo lies in its private courtyard: salute the sunrise with a freshly brewed organic coffee, or climb the steps to the heated saltwater pool with its Balinese bed and take a refreshing dip surrounded by greenery.
The grounds, cocooned in nature, offer a secluded retreat within a retreat. Explore at your own pace — but do track down Anthony during your stay, and get ready to learn about the healing properties of the plants in the borders and the benefits of the therapies on offer, from Wim Hof ice baths to yoga and watsu. And those intrigued by the night sky cannot leave without admiring Tenerife’s famously clear, star-studded heavens.
Looking across the serene grounds, it is easy to believe they have always existed — but no. It is all Anthony’s creation, inseparable from his way of thinking and living. “I want guests to understand that we live in harmony with nature and that each villa is a country house,” he says. “The thick stone walls act as natural thermoregulators, keeping the house cool in summer and insulating it in winter. Water is a precious commodity, even more so today: the water used in the bathrooms is recycled with a traditional method of storing and cleansing it. Here, luxury isn’t about hour-long hot showers; the value lies in preserving what nature has given us.”
The same philosophy extends to the table. Inspired by Hippocrates’ famous adage “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”, the kitchen of NĀMI, Healthy & Delicious prepares a healthy menu with high bioavailability. “Nourishing our bodies with living food provides the micro- and macronutrients that fulfil a prebiotic and probiotic function,” explains Anthony. Guests choose between three culinary lines: vegetarian, vegan or Atlantic pescatarian. And don’t expect a run-of-the-mill dining experience: meals can be served in the Cave of Silence, a volcanic cave reached by a stone path across a pool of water, to the sound of Tibetan singing bowls — or, to make the moment unforgettable, with a classical musician playing as you dine.
EcoHotel El Agua is not for those looking for the ordinary. The spa is a collage of cultures that blend seamlessly to offer restorative treatments for mind and body. Soothe tired muscles in the warmth of the hammam, or calm racing thoughts with an Ayurvedic Shirodhara. The outdoor jacuzzi and cold plunge pool are a delightful spot to admire the distant rolling hills and rugged terrain.
Those inspired to take holistic wellbeing further can choose one of the transformative programs devised by Anthony: discover intermittent fasting and detoxification with freshly prepared green juices; stretch out with guided yoga and pranayama breathing; combine lymphatic-drainage massages with Wim Hof breathing, cold baths and watsu; or train daily with a personal trainer and receive personalised nutritional advice. Programs of two nights or more include an in-depth epigenetic test for insight into your health.
“It is my dream to create a hotel that blends harmoniously into the landscape, leaving little impact on the environment,” says Anthony. Rewarding the wellbeing of its guests over capacity, each villa lives within its own ecosystem, offering a personal escape that keeps the delicate balance between modern comfort and environmental harmony.
As Lawrence Durrell once said: “Journeys, like artists, are born and not made […] the best of them lead us not only outwards in space, but inwards as well.” As the sun sets over the dusty hillside, it is hard not to reflect on these words and on the Eden that Anthony Picq has created in this seemingly inhospitable volcanic setting. A stay at EcoHotel El Agua is a chance to explore the lesser-known corners of Tenerife — and a journey of introspection that invites us to embrace holistic wellbeing in our everyday lives.