La Casona de Yaiza

Yaiza, Lanzarote, Spain
Book from GBP Book from £48 per night

La Casona de Yaiza

Yaiza, Lanzarote, Spain

A charismatic country-house conversion with large pool and rooftop jacuzzi on the fringe of pretty Yaiza

A charismatic country-house conversion with large pool and rooftop jacuzzi on the fringe of pretty Yaiza

Positioned at the very edge of Yaiza, a whitewashed village of utter inertia in Lanzarote’s wild interior, La Casona de Yaiza is a converted country house catering to outdoorsy types. It offers a stylish base with comfortable facilities, in an attractive rural setting. Owned by the same proprietor as nearby Casa de Hilario, it sets itself a couple of marks higher when it comes to spaciousness and décor.

Inside, the hotel weaves a touch of elegance into the ‘walkers' guesthouse’ feel, with dashes of Italian Renaissance art and Sunday-best furniture. The 25 rooms and suites vary in style; those in the old house feature ceiling frescoes and gaily daubed headboards, the newer rooms following a minimalist theme instead. All have nice ensuite bathrooms, some with free-standing tubs. Aside from tramping up and down volcanoes, activities such as horse riding, diving and sailing can all be arranged by the owner. Closer to home, guests can make use of the outdoor pool, hire bikes to potter around the village, or delve into the art-lined communal lounge in the cellar. Up on the roof, a Jacuzzi provides bubble-laden views of the sloping hills of Fenauso, a protected area that's ideal for hiking.

Highs

  • Lots of activities nearby that the friendly staff will help arrange
  • The grotto-like lounge in the cellar is a great hideaway for chilling out with a glass of wine
  • The village of Yaiza is one of the prettiest on the island and its heart is within easy strolling distance
  • A pool and jacuzzi for relaxing
  • Some of the island's best food served in the restaurant right next door

Lows

  • Trying to find a member of staff can be a challenge - you'll need Whatsapp to keep in touch with José outside of reception hours
  • The thick stone walls restrict WiFi access to the public areas
  • Wooden floors in the old building mean noise really travels; the newer rooms are much quieter
  • The rooms can feel a little chilly at times

Best time to go

The sun shines all year round in Lanzarote. Winter is one of the most popular times, when north Europeans start to shiver and yearn for warmth. July and August can be very hot and might be best avoided if you’re planning to go hiking or biking.

Our top tips

Take a stroll through sleepy Yaiza, largely unchanged for centuries. It's peaceful and very pretty.

Great for...

Great Outdoors
  • Boutique Hotel
  • 25 rooms
  • Breakfast only
  • All ages welcome
  • Open all year
  • Outdoor Pool
  • Spa Treatments
  • Beach Nearby
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • Car recommended
  • Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • WiFi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
  • Bicycles Available
Room:

Rooms

The Double Rooms and Suites are spread over one original building and two newer blocks.

Those in the old building are all decorated to a high standard and either overlook or lead onto a stone-flagged courtyard or the cacti-studded gardens. All are very spacious and unique in design; the Suites are bigger and have seating areas. Light pastel shades or gleaming whites cover the walls and ceilings, except where intricate frescoes have been delicately created. In my room, a pair of floating cherubs smiled down from above - quite a masterpiece but apparently crafted by one of the owner’s friends.

These touches of Italian Renaissance styling are continued in detailed artwork on the headboards and in the many gilt-framed pictures hanging on the stone walls and wood-panelled hallways. Regal red seems to be the chosen colour for the corridors leading to the bedrooms, with chaises longues and padded armchairs arranged at either end. The upholstery in some areas has seen better days, but it does permeate a charming feel of faded grandeur.

Since our last visit, a pair of modern blocks have been added. The rooms in these are much more minimalist in their design, the beds and white walls livened up with colourful throws and quirky modern art. They share the same lovely views but lack the character of those in the original house.

All rooms have TVs (most flat-screen) with multi-lingual satellite channels, plus soft towels and plenty of wardrobe space. The ensuite bathrooms come with contemporary wash basins, walk-in showers, hairdryers, and nicely scented complimentary toiletries. Some rooms in the old building also have free-standing tubs.

One note of criticism: the original house's ‘old charm’ (wooden floors and panels) can make for a creaky environment in the upstairs rooms, and footsteps, no matter how light, can be heard with every movement. The rooms in the new blocks have tiled floors - arguably less attractive but definitely quieter.

Features include:

  • Bathrobes
  • Hairdryer
  • In-room treatments available
  • Safe box
  • WiFi

Eating

A large continental breakfast is laid out every morning, served on the tree-shaded patio outside. Breads, cheeses, meats, yoghurts: all the usual suspects. Fruit from the hotel’s orchard (often juicy figs) is served when in season.

Next door is La Bodega, a restaurant and bar that has been considered by some to be among the best on the island - and has been praised as such by French newspaper Le Monde. It serves a varied Mediterranean-style menu for lunch and dinner every day (except Wednesday). Everything we tried was delicious!

A small clutch of alternative eateries are located within a short stroll if you fancy dining out. Highly recommended is La Bodega de Santiago, serving up a traditional grill on a pretty terrace covered by a sprawling tree.

Features include:

  • Bar
  • Breakfast
  • Restaurants nearby
Eating:
Activity:

Activities

  • Follow the camels towards Timanfaya National Park. Here, you'll find a stunning lunar landscape of reds and blacks, created by volcanic activity

  • Stroll, shop, windsurf or sail at the swanky Rubicón marina in Playa Blanca (20 minutes away)

  • Or ask the staff to arrange a private boat trip to visit coves and empty beaches; owner José can also advise on the best dive spots

  • Grab your tackle and head out to sea for the big game fishing season, from May to December. If you're lucky, you can catch marlin, tuna and wahoo

  • Swing a club at one of 2 golf courses on the island

  • Visit the vivid green volcanic lagoon of El Golfo, just a short drive away

  • Take to 4-legged transport - horse or camel - at nearby Lanzarote a Caballo, and enjoy an afternoon's ride

  • Yoga lessons can be arranged at the hotel or at sister property Casa de Hilario; request when checking in

  • Lanzarote is fast becoming a big destination for cycling, triathlons and Iron Man programmes. You can rent bikes from the hotel for training or gentle exploration

Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Boat trips
  • Cycling
  • Fishing
  • Golf
  • Hiking
  • Horse riding
  • Mountain biking
  • Private guided tours
  • Sailing
  • Scuba diving
  • Shopping / markets
  • Windsurfing
  • Yoga

Kids

Children are welcome at the hotel, although there are no specific facilities, toys or games for kids. Cots are available free of charge on request; children 3-12 years old pay a supplement if staying in an extra bed.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Family Rooms have a separate bedroom with either twin beds or bunk beds for children.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Baby equipment:

Baby cots are available on request.

Remember  baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking

Kid Friendly:

Location

La Casona de Yaiza is located on the edge of Yaiza village in central Lanzarote. It's west of Arrecife Airport, heading inland along the LZ2.

By Air:
Lanzarote Arrecife (22km away) is the island's only airport - click on the links below for a list of airlines serving it.

From the Airport
A taxi will take approximately 20 minutes, and the hotel can arrange transfers on request - see Rates for an idea of cost. However, you'll probably want a car while you're here (see below).

By Car:
If you want to hire a car to explore the island, see our car rental recommendations.

By Bus:
A reliable and efficient bus network links most of the major towns and villages on Lanzarote. A bus stop is situated 5 minutes' walk from the hotel; enquire when booking.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Lanzarote and getting around

Airports:

  • Lanzarote Arrecife 22.0 km ACE

Other:

  • Beach 13.0 km
  • Shops 1.0 km
  • Restaurant 1.0 km

Our guests' ratings...

Based on 5 independent reviews from i-escape guests

7/10
Room
9/10
Food
8/10
Service
7/10
Value
8/10
Overall

{{ review.rating }}/10, ,

Rates for La Casona de Yaiza

Arriving on: