Finca Las Longueras

A crimson colonial mansion with elegant rooms set in fertile fruit groves and surrounded by mountains.

The eye-catching Finca Las Longueras lures you like a ruby parrot behind palm trees. A colonial mansion dating from 1895, it is known affectionately as 'La Casa Roja' and was the autumnal residence for an aristocratic Gran Canarian family. Inside, the feel is patrician, not pompous, with airy conservatories, light-dappled hallways leading to velvet-rich reading rooms. The 12 guest rooms lie off various corridors and all have views – you could be peering over orange and avocado orchards or, in our case, reaching out of the window to touch (carefully) an immense cactus.

As Las Longueras is in a deep valley, craggy mountains loom above you in a dramatic backdrop. You could hike to one of the island's highest peaks, Tamadaba, seen from the lushly landscaped pool... or you could just ask that young Dutch couple at breakfast how tough the trek is, and then stay by the pool. Hiking or hanging out, Las Longueras covers both in grand style.

Highs

• Spectacular location in a tranquil valley, with mountains encircling the finca's abundant orchards
• Rooms are spacious, with the owners' family antiques and paintings adding a yesteryear touch
• Large landscaped pool with a little kitchen/honesty bar
• Gorgeous grounds, well-groomed by the long-standing gardener
• You're just 2km from Porto de la Nievas, for swimming and day-trips to Tenerife

Lows

• The gravel road leading down to Las Longueras is full of hairpins and potholes - the family is trying to convince the local council to pave and improve it
• Some bedrooms could do with serious refurbishing (tired fabrics and furniture) – but there are plans to modernise
• Breakfast is shared round a communal table which doesn't always suit non-morning types!
• The 300m track to the cottage is a bit treacherous and unlit at night so bring a torch and tough shoes