Caserio de Mozaga

Situated close to Lanzarote's geographic centre, this delightful little hotel is well placed for exploring the whole of the island using the hire car that is included in your holiday, but its rural setting surrounded by rugged volcanic terrain and sleepy hamlets makes it equally suited for relaxing and absorbing the very essence of this unique island. Belonging to the same family as the nearby El Grifo winery (the oldest in the Canary Islands and one of the ten oldest in the whole of Spain), Caserio de Mozaga has served as the family home continuously since its construction in the late 18th century, and was converted into a small hotel of immense charm in 1998. Whilst the restoration ensured that guests can enjoy a more contemporary level of comfort, the rambling white-washed building retains a wealth of original features and oozes traditional charm. Many of the carefully chosen furnishings, ornaments and paintings that adorn the interiors are family heirlooms, lending each room a distinct personality.

As a result, the eight guest-rooms all vary in terms of size, layout, outlook and détor, but all are prettily and comfortably furnished, and equipped with satellite TV, free WiFi, ceiling fans, heating, as well as attractively-tiled en-suite shower rooms. There are also a couple of larger suites with a separate living room. Some of the rooms are set around the picturesque courtyard, others open onto the gardens, and whilst they don't necessarily have private terraces, guests can find numerous private spots for outdoor relaxation throughout the extensive grounds, which are filled with palm and ficus trees and a large variety of endemic species.

Inside, the beautifully furnished communal lounge has several comfortable sitting areas for playing games, reading a book from the small library, chatting to your fellow guests or simply enjoying the ambience of this lovely old house. Guests can help themselves to complementary tea or coffee at any time of the day, and there is also a small honesty bar, all of which enhances the feeling of staying in a private home rather than a hotel.

For breakfast, there is a selection of sweet and savoury options from the buffet, whilst your choice of eggs will be cooked to order. Caserio de Mozaga's restaurant is housed in a converted stable with wonderfully high ceilings and huge panorama windows looking out across the striking volcanic landscape. Serving Canarian dishes as well as some international options, the restaurant is open to the public and popular with locals as well as residents. Naturally, wines from the family's own vineyards feature prominently. On the restaurant's rest days, or if you simply fancy a change some evenings, the nearest other option for dinner is just a 5-minute walk away at Mozaga's Teleclub, which whilst rather more basic than the Caserio, is just as authentic. Found in rural villages throughout the islands, Teleclubs were originally established in the days when few households had their own phone-lines, as a hub for the local community to make and receive telephone calls. Over time, they started offering drinks and food, and some — such as the one in Mozaga — have become popular venues for unpretentious and inexpensive dining.

A few other bars and restaurants can be found approximately 2 km away in the larger village of San Bartolomé. The nearest beaches — and seafront restaurants — are just over 15 minutes' drive away: the the north, you can reach the sleepy village of Famara with its hippy vibes and wild beach popular with surfers, whilst the small town of Playa Honda on the south coast boasts more sheltered sandy beaches suitable for sea-bathing. The island capital, Arrecife, and the bustling holiday resort of Puerto del Carmen are just a few minutes further, whilst away from the coast, the island's historic former capital, Teguise, can be reached by car in just 10 minutes. Closer still, the small agricultural museum Casa Museo del Campesino is just a 10-minute walk away and also boast its own restaurant serving classic Canarian cuisine. All the island's other attractions can easily be reached by car from here, as nowhere on the island is more than 45 minutes by car from Mozaga, but one option that few guests at the Caserio would want to miss is a visit to the El Grifo vineyard and its small wine museum, as its history is inextricably linked with that of their charming holiday abode.