When Tarnya and Richard warned me that their rural hideaway was off the beaten track, they weren’t exaggerating. This young, enthusiastic pair have created an amazing oasis of tall green cacti, jelly palms, bright pink bougainvillea and clean white walls, surrounded by nothing but fields of black volcanic ash dotted with vines. Clustered in an L-shape around a sparkling, solar-heated pool are 5 self-contained cottages, and there's a larger house with it's own pool across the driveway. Built in the style of the island's famous designer César Manrique, they're a distinctive blend of rustic Canarian with funky touches.
Finca Malvasia’s isolation doesn't mean you’ll get bored. Stressed-out professionals can find solace in the on-site yoga hut, spa treatments and massages; families can head to the beach just 10km away; and action-seekers can hike or bike straight from their door on routes that criss-cross the dramatic terrain. Various outings can also be arranged, including private yacht charters and wine-tasting walks, and razor-sharp skies make for excellent stargazing come nightfall.
Highs
- Tumbleweed solitude; not a sound apart from the scratching of palm leaves on whitewashed walls
- Stylish décor and small personal touches, like a bottle of local wine on arrival, Egyptian cotton bed linen and booklets of insider tips on the area
- Welcoming, knowledgeable and on-the-ball owners who successfully balance an eagerness to please with a degree of discretion
- An assortment of massages, facials and beauty treatments to keep you feeling fresh and pampered
- A beautiful pool area, surrounded by a medley of sub-tropical flora
- Good self-catering facilities
Lows
- The arrival along 1km of pitted dirt road leaves you shaken and stirred, but the real sense of solitude soon calms the nerves
- Some of the shower cubicles leave little room for movement without exfoliating your elbows on the volcanic stone walls
- Those looking for neon nightlife should give it a miss
- You'll need to hire a car
Best time to go
Lanzarote is warm and sunny all year round, though to join in the grape harvest book in early August. December to February is the busiest time, as the island is one of the closest places to the UK for winter sunshine.
Our top tips
Make use of the poolside barbecue at least once during your stay. It’s free to use and Tarnya and Richard will advise on where to shop for the best meat and local delicacies.
- Boutique Villas
- 6 villas for 2-7
- Self-catering (+ some meals on request)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Bicycles Available
- Laundry Service
- Weekly housekeeping service
Rooms
Each cottage has a different view over the vineyards, mountains or pool, and a different layout inside, but most are similar in terms of creature comforts and style.
We stayed in Papagayo, which has 2 double ensuite bedrooms, a huge living area with kitchenette, and a large, secluded patio. Its glazed terracotta floor tiles are dressed with shaggy rugs from Heal's, and the whitewashed rooms are broken up with volcanic stone walls illuminated by soft up-lighting. White-stone shelving houses a range of audio/visual equipment, and log-burning stoves make for cosy evenings if you’re here during winter. The bathrooms are a tad small, with walk-in showers (no bathtubs).
The bathroom in Timanfaya next door is much bigger, featuring a step-up bath and an indoor garden. La Geria has the most light and space due to its end position and extra windows. Both have a double bedroom and a twin room, making them perfect for families. La Bodega is the best cottage for romantic couples - it’s the only detached building, with a double bedroom and its own private garden away from the communal pool area.
The Main House and La Bodeguita are new since our last visit. The former has homely decor and more comprehensive fittings (full kitchen, private pool and barbecue area), and would work particularly well for longer stays; the latter is a cosy studio apartment for 2 (plus 1 child on a sofabed), and we love the sound of the shower room that overlooks the vines and volcanoes of La Geria.
All cottages have satellite TV (with English and children’s channels). Beds are made up with Egyptian cotton and snug waffle duvets, while bathrooms come with thick towels and robes.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- In-room treatments available
- WiFi
Eating
The 4 smaller cottages have kitchenettes for DIY catering, plus indoor and outdoor dining areas. There are no ovens, but you get a hob, a microwave, a grill, and a blender (amongst others), plus crockery, cutlery and utensils; there's even a communal barbecue by the pool which you can use for free.
If you're after something more comprehensive, the Main House has a full kitchen (including oven), a private barbecue area and a 2 dining areas (indoor and outside). Perfect for longer stays or cookery fans.
The free welcome pack includes tea, coffee capsules, water, orange juice, milk, olives, fruit, biscuits, crisps and porridge oats, and a breakfast hamper filled with mostly organic produce (locally baked breads, eggs, preserves and home-grown seasonal fruit) can be ordered. However, nip down to the farmers’ market in Tias (Saturday morning) and you can easily prepare your own; pick up local cheeses, fruit, vegetables and bread. Tarnya can also direct you to a good choice of small supermarkets (within 5km).
Several decent restaurants lie within a few minutes' drive if don’t feel like cooking. These include El Tenique (for grilled meats and fish), Las Cadenas and the funky El Chupadero tapas bar.
Features include:
- Food blender
- Fridge
- Hob or stove
- Kids' meals
- Kitchenette
- Meal delivery service
- Microwave
- Toaster
Activities
- Crank down the stress levels with spa and beauty treatments and yoga classes to order in the cute, circular yoga hall, then lounge in a hammock around the pool
- Take to the waves with a surfing lesson, provided in partnership with the local surf school; 3- and 5-day surfing courses can also be arranged
- Ask Tarnya and Richard to organise a trekking guide to lead you over the lunar terrain. There are walks to suit all abilities, including volcano treks in the Timanfaya National Park and coastal walks
- Discover secret bodegas and unique vineyards on a half-day Wine Tour
- The unusual desert landscape is ideal for adventurous mountain bikers. For the less ambitious, road biking provides an excellent opportunity to view the volcanic scenery. Bike tours and bike hire can be arranged
- Grab your tackle (as it were) and head out to sea for the big game fishing season from May to December. Deep-sea fishing excursions operate from nearby Puerto Calero and Puerto del Carmen
- Saddle-up for a horseback view of Lanzarote’s stark beauty; several equestrian centres cater for all abilities
- Peer below the ocean's surface to see the underworld of Lanzarote - a silent, eerie land of volcanic grottoes, submerged lava flows and dazzling marine life. There are several diving centres on the island
- Golfers can take their pick from 2 top-class golf courses in Costa Teguise and Tias
- Get fit. Lanzarote is becoming a big destination for triathlons and Iron Man training; Richard can organise professional coaching sessions for each discipline. Customised fitness programmes covering kickboxing, aqua aerobics and weight training can also be arranged
- Finca Malvasia sometimes offers week-long photography courses, allowing guests to work with a professional photographer to develop their skills
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Golf
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Mountain biking
- Private guided tours
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Trekking
- Well being
- Windsurfing
- Wine tasting
- Yoga
Kids
Children are made very welcome at Finca Malvasia but there is a supplement for all ages if using additional beds or cots. Young children are heartily encouraged, with toys, games and special events provided on request; there are even inflatable crocodiles, boogie boards and other bits of beach paraphernalia to borrow. Older children may find the pace a bit slow, however.
Best for:
Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Main House has a triple bedroom (a double and one bunk bed) best suited to kids and lots of private living and outdoor space, perfect for longer stays. The 2-bedroom cottages - Timanfaya, Papagayo and La Geria - can sleep up to 5 people, and the large terraces are gated from the pool so children can run freely. La Bodeguita can sleep 1 child on a sofabed. Note that only Timanfaya has a bathtub.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Baby equipment:
- Cots
- High chair
- Baby backpack
- Stairgates (where needed)
- Baby bedding
- Potty
- Night light
- Baby bath
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Children's meals:
The cottages have kitchenettes with microwaves and blenders; the Main House has a full kitchen. You can pre-order breakfast hampers and Canarian platters.
Kids Activities on site:
- Swimming pool with shallow end
- Kids' splash pool
- Toys and books (on request)
- Beach toys to borrow
Kids Activities nearby:
- Golden sandy beach nearby
- Playparks
- Mountain biking
- Surfing lessons
- Camel and pony rides
Families Should Know:
The mobile phone signal can be very patchy here. The Main House's pool is unfenced
Distances:
- Airport: 12 minutes
- Hospital: 15 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Finca Malvasia is 10km north-west of Arrecife Airport, above the village of San Bartolomé in central Lanzarote.
By Air:
Arrecife (10km away) is Lanzarote's only airport. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving it.
From the Airport
You can take a taxi to Finca Malvasia, but you really need to hire a car to get the most out of a stay here (see below).
By Car:
A car is essential unless you really want to be marooned during your stay. For car hire please see our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to Lanzarote and getting around
Airports:
- Lanzarote Arrecife 10.0 km ACE
Other:
- Beach 9.0 km
- Shops 3.0 km
- Restaurant 3.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 5 independent reviews from i-escape guests
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