La Laguna: A different way to retreat
There are as many ways to organise a corporate retreat as there are teams looking for one. Some seek complete seclusion—a remote estate, total silence and uninterrupted focus. Others prefer the efficiency of a large conference hotel, where everything is conveniently located under one roof. Both approaches have their merits. But there is a third option, often overlooked, that deserves consideration: an urban retreat in a small, vibrant yet peaceful city with its own history, identity and rhythm. In Tenerife, that city is La Laguna.
LOOKING BEYOND THE SOUTH OF THE ISLAND
When most people think of Tenerife, their minds naturally turn to the island's large southern resorts. For travellers looking for an all-inclusive hotel experience, that makes perfect sense. But alongside this international, efficient and predictable side of Tenerife lies another island altogether. The north is greener, more authentic and deeply rooted in everyday local life. La Laguna, the former capital of the Canary Islands, perfectly represents this quieter and more genuine side of Tenerife.
A CITY WHERE HISTORY IS STILL LIVED
San Cristóbal de La Laguna has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Its distinctive grid layout, designed at the end of the 15th century, became the model for many colonial cities throughout the Americas. Yet UNESCO status is only part of the story. What truly makes La Laguna special is the way its history continues to shape everyday life. Beautifully preserved Canarian houses, hidden interior courtyards, independent bookshops, local restaurants, artisan workshops and intimate museums all contribute to a city that feels authentic rather than curated.
The historic centre is entirely pedestrian.That changes everything.Here, people walk. They explore. They stop. There is no traffic, no rush and none of the anonymity often associated with tourist destinations. Every street reveals its own personality—from restaurants celebrating local produce to wine bars worth discovering and cafés where time seems to slow down.
THE PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN CALM AND ENERGY
La Laguna is also a university city. Its young population, independent bookshops, concerts, exhibitions and cultural life create an atmosphere that feels vibrant without ever becoming overwhelming. From Monday to Thursday, the pace is calm and reflective. On Friday and Saturday evenings, terraces fill with people, historic squares come alive and the city offers just enough energy to enjoy dinner and conversation after a productive day—before returning to its peaceful rhythm.
This balance between quiet reflection and cultural vitality is exactly what many corporate retreats are looking for.It allows teams to alternate naturally between focused work and meaningful downtime, without needing to manufacture the experience. The city itself becomes part of the retreat.
LIVING IN A HOUSE, NOT STAYING IN A HOTEL
No matter how well designed a conference hotel may be, it often sends the same message to its guests: You're here temporarily. Identical rooms. Functional meeting spaces. Interiors designed to please everyone and, in doing so, rarely expressing any real personality. Efficient, certainly. Transformative, rarely.
At Laguna Cool Living, the experience is different. The moment guests step inside our carefully restored 19th-century house with its stone walls, timber beams, interior courtyards and abundant greenery something quietly changes. It doesn't feel like checking into a hotel. It feels like arriving at a home. A home with history. With light. With peaceful corners. With silence. Without even noticing, people slow down. Conversations become more relaxed. Ideas flow more naturally. Teams collaborate differently.
That subtle shift impossible to schedule yet impossible to ignore is perhaps the greatest value a truly inspiring retreat venue can offer. Changing location is important. Changing atmosphere is transformational.
AN INVITATION
Choosing a retreat is about much more than selecting accommodation. It's about choosing the environment that will shape every conversation, every idea and every shared experience. La Laguna offers something few destinations can provide at the same time: living heritage, human scale, authentic culture and a sense of calm that never feels isolated. For teams looking for a retreat unlike any other, both this remarkable city and Laguna Cool Living are waiting to be discovered.