Finca Malvasia
Masdache, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Four stone cottages hidden among the volcanic cones of rural Lanzarote, combining stylish self-catering with personal touches (each sleeps 2-5)
When Tarnya and Richard warned me that their rural hideaway was off
the beaten track, they weren’t exaggerating. This young,
enthusiastic pair have created an amazing oasis of tall green
cacti, jelly palms, bright pink bougainvillea and clean white
walls, surrounded by nothing but fields of black volcanic ash
dotted with vines. Clustered in an L-shape around a sparkling,
solar-heated pool are 4 self-contained cottages, each
with 1 or 2 bedrooms. Built in the style of the island's famous
designer César Manrique, they're a distinctive blend of
rustic Canarian with funky touches.
Finca Malvasia’s isolation doesn't mean you’ll get
bored. Stressed-out professionals can find solace in the on-site
yoga hut, spa treatments and massages; families can
head to the beach less than 10km away; and action-seekers can hike
or bike straight from their door on routes that criss-cross the
dramatic terrain. Various outings can also be arranged, including
private yacht charters and wine-tasting walks, and razor-sharp
skies make for excellent stargazing come nightfall.
Highs
- Tumbleweed solitude; not a sound apart from the scratching of palm leaves on whitewashed walls
- Stylish décor and small personal touches, like a bottle of local wine on arrival, Egyptian cotton bed linen, booklets of insider tips on the area, and a DVD library
- Welcoming, knowledgeable and on-the-ball owners who successfully balance an eagerness to please with a degree of discretion
- A beautiful pool area, surrounded by a medley of sub-tropical flora
- Good kitchenettes for easy self-catering, plus tagines, breakfast hampers and lunch platters available by prior arrangement
Lows
- The arrival along 1km of pitted dirt road leaves you shaken and stirred, but the real sense of solitude soon calms the nerves
- Some of the shower cubicles leave little room for movement without exfoliating your elbows on the volcanic stone walls
- Mobile telephony is notable for its absence, except for a weak signal on selected phone networks
- Those looking for neon nightlife should give it a miss
- You'll need to hire a car
