Hotel Rural La Casona de Yaiza

Situated halfway between the dramatic volcanic scenery of the Timanfaya National Park and the sandy beaches of Playa Blanca and Papagayo in the island's deep south, Yaiza is not only a convenient base for exploring, but also an appealing place to stay, having repeatedly been crowned the best-kept village in Lanzarote and, on occasion, in the whole of Spain. Were there a similar competition for Spain's prettiest rural hotel, La Casona de Yaiza would surely fare equally well, for no expense has been spared in the restoration of this lovely mansion.

Standing on the edge of the village, with panoramic views of the volcanic mountains that surround it, the handsome exterior with its ornate wooden gallery already hints that this is no ordinary village house, but does not quite prepare you for the sheer opulence found inside. The ancient cavern below the hotel, once used for storing water, has been turned into an atmospheric art gallery where the works of contemporary local artists are displayed, but one could argue that the whole hotel is a work of art, paying homage to the great masters of the Italian Renaissance and the Spanish artists of the Roman school.

In addition to the public rooms, the original mansion contains the eight standard rooms, which vary in terms of size and layout, but retain many charming original features. Many of the furnishings are hand-painted, and the en suite bath or shower rooms are sumptuously appointed. To not distract from the historic character of the rooms, the hotel's owners have avoided such modern intrusions as telephones or mini-bars, but they did compromise on satellite TV to enable guests to keep up with the news.

To cater for the hotel's growing popularity, the owners have recently created additional accommodation in an adjacent cluster of villa-style buildings. Unlike the rooms in the original building, these have their own spacious balconies or terraces, but the interiors are much more modern in style, with clean lines and bright whitewashed walls. Also part of this recent extension are a number of Family Suites (without terraces or balconies), each consisting of a main bedroom with a large double bed and a second bedroom with bunk beds, as well as a modern shower room.

In spite of the lavishness of the interiors, the hotel's ambience is very laid-back and informal, and by no means stuffy. With its partially exposed lava stone walls, the small restaurant, "La Bodega", has a cosy and rustic feel. At present, the hotel's restaurant only serves breakfast, but there are several other restaurants within the village of Yaiza, and it takes just 15-20 minutes to drive to Playa Blanca or El Golfo, should you occasionally fancy dinner by the edge of the sea.

Some of the island's best beaches can be reached equally easily, whilst for those who prefer to relax at base, or simply fancy an early morning swim or a quick dip after a day spent exploring, the hotel also boasts an enticing swimming pool surrounded by a terrace, and a raised sun deck with a Jacuzzi and lovely views of the volcanic landscape. In our opinion, the Casona de Yaiza is especially suited to honeymooners and other romantics, who are looking for beautiful accommodation full of character combined with a relaxing, informal atmosphere.