Finca de Arrieta

Self-catering with a difference: family-friendly yurts and stone cottages (sleeping 2-8) on a self-sufficient and stylish eco resort

It’s hard to miss Finca de Arrieta. Driving north along highway LZ-1, you see to your right a traditional Lanzarote scene: a sweeping bay bordering a sugar-cube fishing village. On the left, however, is the slightly less conventional sight of a cluster of Mongolian yurts and volcanic-stone cottages set amongst 3 hectares of mango and peach trees. And a donkey.

But it’s not just the aesthetics that make Finca de Arrieta stand out from the crowd; it’s also the ethos. English owners Tila, Michelle and their family are so eco-friendly that the entire finca is 'off the grid'. There are wind turbines, solar panels and DIY egg collecting. But sparing the planet doesn’t mean skimping on comfort. Whether you choose to stay under canvas in a yurt or under slate in a cottage, you’ll find comfortable beds, Balinese furniture, hot showers and fully equipped kitchens. There's a solar-heated pool, a chill-out area with daybeds, and an honesty bar. This is a quirky rural retreat with a real feel-good factor, ideal for anyone seeking a laid-back holiday off the beaten path.

Highs

• Fantastic value for money
• A great option for families - yurts and cottages sleep up to 8, there's baby equipment and body boards to borrow, and young children will love the pool, trampoline, playground and riding Mollie the resident donkey
• Only 35 minutes' drive from the airport, and 300m from a sandy, family beach
• The owners live on site and can offer local advice or book activities, including surfing, snorkelling, sea kayaking and boat trips
• There’s a good choice of restaurants in the fishing village of Arrieta if you don't want to cook (a 10-minute stroll away)

Lows

• Don't expect luxury - one cottage (the Eco Tower) has a shared kitchen, and all the accommodation is simple and stylish rather than sumptuous
• Not for those who like to keep themselves to themselves: the yurts are set close together, and the atmosphere is convivial
• The bumpy track to the beach is no walk in the park (don’t attempt it with a buggy or after dark)
• Expect strong breezes - the weather in this part of Lanzarote is always bright but often blustery
• You might hear occasional traffic from the nearby road