CalaLanzarote Suite Hotel

Peacefully situated next to the coastal footpath at the eastern end of Playa Blanca, just past the 18th-century Castillo de San Marcial de Rubicon watchtower, this small hotel is perfect for adults seeking a thoroughly relaxing holiday within easy reach of some of Lanzarote's best beaches, as well as all the restaurants, shops and other facilities of this popular holiday resort.

CalaLanzarote Suites comprises just 41 rooms, arranged in two-storey buildings around a beautiful free-form swimming pool (saltwater, heated in winter). Most look out across the pool area towards the sea, but a few directly face the ocean across the coastal path in the direction of the Papagayo beaches. Gleaming white is the predominant colour both inside and out, reflecting the Canarian sunshine and rendering the interiors wonderfully light and airy. The uncluttered space and minimalist décor of the guest accommodation echoes both Scandinavian simplicity and Cycladic island style.

All rooms and suites have partially open-plan shower rooms, air-conditioning, safety-deposit boxes, TV, tea-and-coffee-making facilities, minibars, hairdryers and free WiFi. Situated on the upper floor, the Sea View Rooms are approximately 40 square metres in size and have twin beds as well as a sofa and a balcony with a pair of deckchairs. The Suites are located on the ground floor and are similar in size, but the sitting area is a couple of steps down from the sleeping area, which has a double bed. All the Suites have terraces; some of these also have sea views whilst other offer direct access to the pool area.

Days at CalaLanzarote get off to a good start in the bright breakfast room with its panoramic windows. Here, you can help yourself to a buffet of cold items including fresh fruit, breads, pastries and cereals and choose from a selection of cooked dishes which are prepared to order and served at the table. For those wishing to spend their days relaxing by the swimming pool, drinks and light snacks are available at the pool-bar until 18:00. In the evenings, utter tranquillity takes over at CalaLanzarote Suites, but it is just a 5 to 10-minute walk to the picturesque yacht harbour, Marina Rubicon, where you can find a good selection of upmarket restaurants as well as a cluster of shops and cocktail bars.

The nearest beach — the partially rocky dark-sand cove of Playa de las Coloradas — is just over 10 minutes' walk away but just beyond that lie the unspoilt golden beaches of the Papagayo nature reserve, which can be reached by a short hike over the low volcanic hills (or by car along an unsurfaced toll road). The first of these, Playa Mujeres, is just over half-an-hour's walk away from the hotel. In the opposite direction, it's a 25-minute walk along the coastal path to the sandy resort beach Playa Dorada, which is protected by a man-made breakwater, making it safe for bathing in all but the most inclement of weathers. Just beyond, Playa Blanca's original village centre boasts an excellent selection of further restaurants along the seafront promenade, as well as a wide range of shops for all your day-to-day needs, and those holiday treats you didn't know you needed.

Those who associate the hotel's official 5-star rating with opulent interiors or who seek on-site entertainment in the evenings may be disappointed, but those looking for a supremely relaxing base in a quiet yet convenient location will find the CalaLanzarote Suites much to their liking.