Casa Doña Rosario

Peacefully situated in the La Laguna area of Playa Santiago, Casa Doña Rosario is a handsome Canarian house dating back over a hundred years. Painstakingly restored over a period of three years, this formerly neglected building has been transformed into four attractive apartments full of authentic charm and traditional character.

The accommodation is arranged in two separate buildings set on opposite sides of a beautiful courtyard garden. The friendly owners themselves live in the rear building, and whilst they are not intrusive, it is reassuring to know that they are on hand if needed. Also in the rear building is a spacious studio apartment with a sitting area, twin beds (which can be arranged as a double), a simple kitchenette with fridge, electric hob, coffeemaker and toaster, and a shower room.

The front building contains three maisonette apartments. From the courtyard, you enter directly into the upper level, which consists of a living-dining room and an open-plan kitchenette (equipped as in the studio). A spiral staircase leads down to the twin bedroom and the shower room. Hairdryers are provided in each apartment, and free WiFi is available for guests throughout the property.

The maisonette apartments enjoy lovely views across the banana plantations of the Barranco de Santiago to the ocean through full-length windows from the living room. Each apartment and studio also has its own outside sitting area opening onto the patio garden, which is filled with mature trees, flowering shrubs and sub-tropical plants, as well as some rather remarkable iron sculptures created by an artist friend of the owners.

The centre of Playa Santiago is roughly 10-15 minutes' walk away, but there are a couple of little corner shops at the end of the lane, just the shortest of strolls away. In the village itself, you can find all the essentials, including a bank, a pharmacy and around half a dozen seafront restaurants, so in our opinion, car hire is not essential for those who are simply seeking a relaxing holiday.