Casa Tuneras & Casa Banana

Standing at opposite ends of a large cactus garden, these two detached houses offer their occupants a good degree of privacy, plenty of individual charm and character, and easy access on foot to one of the most charming historic towns on the whole archipelago. Peacefully situated on the edge of the former island capital, Teguise, they are less that ten minutes' walk from the picturesque centre of this historic village, which is renowned for boasting some of the most enticing restaurants and craft shops on the island. On Sunday mornings, the bustling market attracts visitors from all over the island, but the rest of the week Teguise has an appealingly sleepy and dignified ambience.

Casas Tuneras and Banana were created by a local artist, whose own property is situated between the two houses. Although never intrusive, he is friendly and hospitable and happy to share his local knowledge with his guests.

Casa Tuneras has been built entirely from natural stone and provides extremely spacious accommodation for a couple. The huge living-dining room is full of artistic touches and incorporates a simple open-plan kitchen with a fridge and a two-ring hob. The large shower room and the double bedroom have a similarly eclectic feel, but perhaps most inviting is the large shaded terrace with views across the volcanic landscape.

Even more unusual in its design, Casa Banana was created from an original "ajibe" (underground water cistern). Reached via a rather private, sunken terrace, it comprises a lounge with a splendid vaulted ceiling, a double bedroom, a smaller twin bedroom with a skylight and an internal window to the lounge, and a shower room. The rustic kitchen with fridge and gas hob is set in a separate small building and accessed externally via the terrace. As in Casa Tuneras, the interiors are a far cry from the bland conformity of purpose-built holiday apartments, with numerous paintings and distinctive décor lending a very personal feel.

The location on the edge of Teguise makes the houses ideal for those seeking an unhurried holiday, relaxing on the terrace with a good book and a chilled drink, or pottering around the little town. As Casas Tuneras and Banana are designed to encourage guests to switch off from their day-to-day lives, there are no televisions in either house, nor is WiFi provided. However, mobile reception in the area is good, subject of course to your network provider and suitable provision for international roaming in your mobile phone contract.

The hire car that is included makes it easy to explore the rest of the island, and the nearest beaches can be found 10 km away at Famara on the unspoilt north coast, or 12 km away in the more commercialised resort of Costa Teguise.