Bancal Hotel & Spa

With its stunning landscapes, rewarding terrain for walking and other outdoor activities, as well as its wonderfully laid-back atmosphere, the small island of La Gomera has been attracting increasing numbers of discerning travellers in the five decades since it was first discovered by adventurous backpackers, but unlike the larger Canary Islands whose tourism industries expanded quickly, growth in La Gomera has been commendably cautious and restrained. On the one hand, this has saved the island from over-development and preserved its unique natural beauty and authentic local charm, but on the other hand it has also meant a somewhat limited choice of accommodation for visitors, and a need to book early — especially for the winter season — as the number of available rooms on La Gomera hasn't kept up with the demand for holidays in this idyllic island outpost. The opening of the Hotel Bancal in the summer of 2024 therefore came as welcome news, especially for travellers who wish to enjoy the island's natural attractions from a comfortable base with a comprehensive range of facilities.

The hotel stands in glorious isolation on the island's east coast, perched on a hillside that slopes down towards a steep cliff, with mesmerising views towards Tenerife and its distinctive landmark, Mount Teide. To make the most of this scenic setting and to distract as little as possible from the views, the hotel's design and architecture are deliberately stark and minimalist, with bare stone, glass and concrete softened by the local fauna that helps to blend the construction into its natural environs. Although there are 276 rooms spread across 11 different levels (all linked by various lifts), these have been arranged in staggered terraces so that you never feel aware of the full size of the hotel.

The rooms themselves are spacious and well-equipped with air-conditioning, TV, free WiFi, safety-deposit boxes, a small fridge and tea-and-coffee-making facilities. Tastefully decorated in muted, natural tones, all have twin beds, which can be made up as a kingsize bed, and a good-size terrace with a table and chairs. Please note that the bathrooms are open-plan to the main room area, with a vanity area with two washbasins whilst both the rain-shower and the WC are enclosed by frosted glass. As their name suggests, Bancal Garden rooms have views of the gardens, whilst Ocean rooms have lateral views across the Atlantic towards Tenerife, as do the Terrace rooms which in addition benefit from a larger private terrace area with a pair of sun-loungers. There are also inter-connecting Family Rooms with a minimum occupancy of four people, and Junior Suites with a separate sitting area.

Your stay at the Bancal automatically includes an extensive buffet breakfast in the hotel's main restaurant, La Milana, where guests choosing the half-board option also enjoy varied buffets with show-cooking for dinner. During the daytime, snacks, light lunches and refreshing drinks are available at the Maraire pool bar, whilst the hotel's à la carte restaurant Larrife, located on the clifftop, blends local ingredients (including produce from the hotel's own kitchen garden) and tradition with culinary innovation for dinner. Three further bars and lounges — Agua Guisada, Silbo and Guro — are open at different times and offer a programme of low-key evening entertainment including occasional live music performances.

For those seeking relaxation, there are three heated swimming pools, including two infinity pools, and terraces with sun-loungers at different levels. A local charge applies for the hotel's Spa and Wellness area, Auala, which incorporates a 380-square-metre hydrotherapy circuit with an indoor vitality pool, sauna, steam-room, hot and cold plunge pools and experience showers, as well as various beauty and massage treatments that can be booked at an additional cost. The use of the well-equipped gym is free of charge, and classes such as yoga or pilates are offered subject to demand. Active guests can also enjoy local hikes, and the hotel can arrange bicycle hire and storage, horse-riding, boat trips and other excursions. For children, there are two paddling pools and play rooms for different ages, or they can explore "El Huerto", part of the hotel's own farm, to learn about organic farming and interact with nature.

To help you explore the island, we have included a hire car in the cost of our holidays here, and underground parking is available. For those who primarily plan to relax and who do not wish to drive, we can also quote with private transfers from the port instead; the hotel offers a twice-daily shuttle bus to San Sebastian for charge of €5, and taxis can easily be summoned, or you may prefer to explore by bicycle. By road, San Sebastian is approximately 5 km away, but those who don't mind a bit of a hike can reach the town on foot in just under an hour by following a shortcut. The rocky cove of Playa de Roque Bermejo and the pebbly beach of Playa de Ávalo are both approximately 2 km away but please be mindful of sea conditions before attempting to swim as neither beach is guarded.