Meet the founder
Custodian of the land: meet Anthony Picq, founder of EcoHotel El Agua
An advocate for holistic health and the natural riches of Tenerife, EcoHotel El Agua founder Anthony Picq is on a mission to reframe our narrative on sustainable, eco-friendly luxury travel.
Famed for its endless summer and dreamy beach escapes, Tenerife has long been a firm favourite for travellers. Anthony Picq, founder and owner of NAOKŌ Healing Hotels, is intent on preserving and future-proofing the island’s natural beauty with his latest project, EcoHotel El Agua.
A hilltop hideaway where time stands still
The eco-luxury hotel lies deep in the heart of Tenerife, nestled in the sun-drenched Arico valley. This holistic concept combines locally sourced materials with elements of wabi-sabi to create a calming, healing sanctuary. Anthony has created a place to unwind, recharge and disconnect — and in doing so, we are able to reconnect with ourselves and tune into what our mind, body and soul are craving.
An expert in sustainable tourism
Born in the south of France, Anthony Picq spent his early years as a professional athlete before moving into sustainable tourism. With more than 25 years of experience, he has split his time between Tenerife and Barcelona, witnessing first-hand the growing demand for holistic hotels.
A connoisseur of wellbeing — a self-taught hygienist, naturopath and phytotherapist — Anthony has designed state-of-the-art treatments at EcoHotel El Agua, many of which are part of his own daily routine. Engage him in a conversation on anything from ecology and spirituality to integrative medicine and Hippocratic health, and prepare for an enlightening experience.
Be guided on your wellness journey
Guided by Anthony, guests are encouraged to seek a deeper understanding of holistic health during their stay. From waking up with Wim Hof breathing exercises to drinking a glass of seawater with a green juice full of vitamins and phytonutrients — to support the body’s internal cleansing and metabolic detox — there is something for every curious mind.
EcoHotel El Agua offers a wide range of disruptive therapies: regenerative, intermittent or deep fasting, which triggers a series of hormonal and physiological changes causing a radical reset known as autophagy, whose benefits were validated by the work of the Japanese biologist Yoshinori Ohsumi, awarded the Nobel Prize in 2016. Or relaxing yoga sessions and Ayurvedic massages and techniques that revitalise body and mind.
Sustainable luxury meets chic design
Beyond holistic health, Picq’s passion for design is unmistakable at EcoHotel El Agua. With a background as an interior stylist, ecological farmer and garden designer, he has created a space far from the ordinary. Villa Olivo, once a 200-year-old farmer’s outhouse, was converted into the first of a limited series of villas, redefining the essence of boutique accommodation. Add a holistic spa, a mystical cave dining space and beautifully landscaped terraces, and you have a place where time stands still and the call to reconnect with nature echoes across the hillside.
We don’t own the land — we belong to it.
Giving back to future generations
Anthony’s ethos is rooted in holistic stewardship: we don’t own the land — we belong to it. Every element of his creation contributes to a serenity that goes beyond aesthetics. The architecture of EcoHotel El Agua is a dialogue with nature, an elegant dance of sustainable materials and organic design that pays homage to its surroundings.
Anthony Picq’s vision goes beyond a luxurious escape: it is about fostering a profound connection with the Earth and inspiring guests to become conscious stewards of the environment. In this sanctuary of sustainable luxury, the boundaries between self and surroundings blur — the spirit of the land whispers its tales, and guests in turn become the storytellers of their own mindful journey.