Nazaret Beach

We are often asked for self-catering accommodation that is within easy walking distance of sandy beaches and a good selection of shops and restaurants, but away from the main tourist resorts with their large hotel complexes. Unfortunately, such a combination is frustratingly hard to find in the Canary Islands, so we were delighted to discover this small, recently opened complex tucked away in the small town of Playa Honda. Situated just east of the airport, Playa Honda is a place we had often passed by on our way to the nearby island capital Arrecife and the villages in the north and east of Lanzarote, but from the road that skirts the back of the town, its appeal wasn't immediately apparent. However, strolling along the pedestrianised seafront for lunch in one of the enticing seafood restaurants, we soon fell for the laid-back charm of the town, which retains a distinctly local feel, although visitors are welcomed and well catered for.

There are no hotels in Playa Honda, and no buildings taller than two storeys. The area is predominantly residential, apart from a number of privately-owned holiday homes and a couple of small apartment complexes. Of these, our choice is Nazaret Beach, situated at the eastern end of the town, just over 100 metres from the nearest beach, Playa de La Concha. Opened in 2024, Nazaret Beach comprises 24 apartments set in four single-storey terraces around a central swimming pool, which is heated from November until April. Well designed and finished to an excellent standard, each comprises a spacious living-dining room with an open-plan fitted kitchen, a separate bedroom with twin beds and a modern shower room. The well-equipped kitchens come complete with a large fridge-freezer, ceramic hob, oven, microwave, toaster, kettle and even a dishwasher, and each also has a washing machine in an enclosed patio where you can also dry your laundry. Other thoughtful touches to make these apartment a real home from home include individually controlled air-conditioning units for heating and cooling, smart TVs in both the living rooms and bedrooms, high-speed WiFi, hairdryers, pool towels and daily maid service (linen and towel changes every four days).

Each apartment has its own external front gate, and a large garden terrace with a table and chairs for dining al-fresco and a pair of sun-loungers to soak up those Canarian rays. In the Pool View Apartments, the main terrace overlooks the swimming pool, but standard Apartments still have direct access to the pool area from their rear doors. The apartments in the external corners have particularly large terraces with private whirlpool, and there are also a few apartments with a second bedroom with a single bed. Whilst there is no reception on site at Nazaret Beach, guests have access by phone to the reception staff of its larger sister hotel in Teguise, and the friendly resident caretaker is always on hand for any assistance.

The natural sandy cove of Playa de la Concha is just a couple of minutes' walk away, as is the coastal path — shared by pedestrians and cyclists — which forms part of the world's longest seafront promenade, running some 26 km from Costa Teguise to Puerto Calero, perfect for some morning exercise or that digestion-aiding after-dinner stroll. Arrecife is approximately 45 minutes on foot, but there is no need to walk that far, as there are a couple of clusters of seafront restaurants in the centre of Playa Honda, just a 10-15 minute stroll away, overlooking the town's string of sandy beaches. Additional dining options can be found dotted around the back-streets, whilst for those who wish to make full use of their kitchens, the Deiland shopping centre is just 400 meters away and contains a large, well-stocked supermarket, as well as a pharmacy, bank, selection of clothes and gift shops, a cinema and further restaurants and take-aways. There is also an independent greengrocer near the main square, a 15-minute walk from the apartments.

Thanks to Playa Honda's central location, it is easy to explore the island without the need to hire a car, as there are frequent buses towards Arrecife, with the option to connect to different parts of the island at the central bus station. Due to the proximity of the airport, some occasional aircraft noise can not be ruled out, but whilst this depends somewhat on wind direction, weather conditions and personal sensitivity, we did not find that this detracted from our enjoyment of Playa Honda's thoroughly relaxed atmosphere. At any rate, Lanzarote Airport does not have night flights and the apartments at Nazaret Beach are well soundproofed, so we would thoroughly recommend them as a comfortable base for a laid-back holiday away from the busy tourist resorts, but with a comprehensive range of facilities within walking distance.