Parador de La Palma

Founded by the Spanish government in the 1920s to enable travellers to explore the country's natural and cultural treasures in comfort and style, the Paradores of Spain have become a national institution. Many are located in restored historic buildings; others are situated in areas of great natural beauty and designed to reflect the architectural traditions of their environment. La Palma's Parador falls into the latter category. Opened in 1999, it enjoys an elevated position in the district of Breña Baja, with panoramic views down to the ocean and to the nearby island capital, Santa Cruz. On a clear day, you can even spot the neighbouring islands of La Gomera and Tenerife from here.

The hotel comprises 78 guestrooms arranged in three low-rise wings around an enchanting central courtyard. Furnished and decorated in traditional style, they offer practical accommodation and the usual facilities you would expect to find in a four-star hotel, including air-conditioning, satellite TV and minibars. Naturally, all have en-suite bathrooms, and each room also has a terrace or balcony, with the Superior Rooms boasting views of the ocean.

Within the well-maintained gardens that surround the hotel, you will find an enticing swimming pool, which is sheltered from the occasional winds by a hedgerow of cypress trees. Other facilities include a small gym and a sauna - perfect for soothing tired muscles after a long country walk. The nearest village, San Antonio, is little more than a kilometre away and has a couple of simple eateries and shops, but for a wider range of options, Santa Cruz is 8km away - a journey of about 15 minutes using the hire car that is included in your holiday. Closer still - approximately 5 km - is the resort of Playa de los Cancajos with its black sand beach, which also boasts a handful of restaurants.

For those not wishing to venture out in the evenings, the hotel's restaurant specialises in regional cuisine. After dinner, you can enjoy a nightcap in the cosy bar, or on the terrace, from where you can gaze at the twinkling lights of Santa Cruz in the bay down below. For those seeking a comfortable, traditional hotel as their base from which to explore the nearby capital and the stunning scenery of this unspoilt island, the Parador de La Palma is well suited.