Hotel Rural La Casona del Patio

Situated in the sleepy village of Santiago del Teide at an altitude of approximately 900 metres, this charming country hotel makes an ideal base from which to explore the unspoilt mountain scenery of western Tenerife on foot. Nearby attractions include the stunning Masca gorge, one of the island's most popular walks, the rugged Teno massif, and the Chinyero nature reserve, the site of the island's most recent volcanic eruption in 1909. As the village's name implies, it is also close to the western approach road towards Mount Teide itself, and recent road improvements mean that both the traditional towns of the north coast such as Garachico and Icod de los Vinos and the sun-kissed shores of the southwest coast can easily be explored by car from here.

As an added bonus, La Casona del Patio has its own horse-riding stables, so the pretty countryside around Santiago del Teide can also be enjoyed on horse-back, with a choice of guided outings lasting between half-an-hour and three hours, priced from 20 to 80 euros. For those who prefer pedal-power, the hotel can also arrange bicycle hire, whilst car hire for exploring further afield is automatically included in your holiday cost.

La Casona del Patio forms part of a 17th-century country estate, and whilst the main hotel building is of more recent construction, several of the original buildings have been restored and now house a separate restaurant (mainly open for weekend lunches), a small folk museum and a function room - the hotel's scenic setting and the charm of the historic buildings makes this a popular venue for weddings, christenings and other family celebrations..

The hotel comprises 20 guestrooms on two floors and combines modern design with traditional materials such as lava-stone walls, exposed wooden ceilings and terracotta-tiled floors, lent a contemporary feel by the well-chosen furnishings. The comfortable guestrooms are equipped with air-conditioning, satellite TV (limited English-language channels), safety-deposit boxes, mini-bars and free WiFi, and each has an en-suite bathroom with hairdryer.

Breakfast is served in the restaurant in the main hotel building, as is dinner for guests choosing the half-board option - depending on occupancy this is either served buffet-style or as a table d'hôte menu with a choice of two dishes for each course. Alternatively, the B&B option will suit those who prefer the flexibility to try out some of the local cafés and restaurants in the village and using the hotel's restaurant on an ad-hoc basis.

For those who fancy a little pampering after spending the day on their feet, in the saddle or on horseback, the hotel has a small spa area with a sauna, steam room and hot tub, which is available for private use only, at a cost of 50 euros for an hour's session for 2 to 4 people. There is also a small gym on site. Should you occasionally feel like a day on the beach, the nearest resort on the southwest coast, Los Gigantes, is approximately 15 km away and is famed for its imposing sea cliffs, as well as being known as one of the sunniest spots on the island.