Forget what you think you know about Lanzarote. These two whitewashed villas are a fabulous departure from the island's busy resorts. They emerge from this volcanic rock's coastal plains like otherworldly structures, with spacious bedrooms, solar-heated pools (one villa has two), beautifully equipped kitchens, free-standing stone bathtubs, stunning contemporary artworks and mesmerising views - from the burnt amber and charcoal mountainous backdrop, right out to the crystalline waters of the Atlantic.
Spread out here with a group of friends or extended family: there's plenty of space and heaps to do. One villa has table tennis, hot tub and 3 quirky yurts, the other has a sandy volleyball pitch and trampoline. Both have sunny terraces with day beds, outdoor dining spots, poolside pavilions for yoga or quiet times, and masses of lebensraum to give everyone their space.
Set on the edge of quiet villages, 1-2km above the coast, you can nip down from Tabayesco to the golden sands of La Garita - arguably Lanzarote's loveliest beach; or from Mala to the volcanic rock pools of Vaya Querida (a 10-minute walk). And it's only a short drive to the amazing sea cliffs and surf beaches of Famara or the jump-off point for La Graciosa island; a little further to the eerie Timanfaya volcanoes,the pretty towns of Yaiza and Teguise, and to the bigger resorts for watersports and beach buzz. Adventure awaits!
Highs
- Both villas have stunning locations with ocean and mountain views, in a peaceful, unspoilt corner of Lanzarote
- The villas are great for 2-3 families travelling together, with 5-7 bedrooms each plus spillover yurts
- Great info and services offered by locally-based British managers, including food deliveries, babysitting and eco-friendly hire cars
- Surprisingly good value, especially if you're staying for a week or more
- Both villas have fast WiFi and a work space, in case someone needs to do emails or zoom calls mid-holiday (but really?)
Lows
- Restaurants and shops are a drive away, albeit a short one
- The Tabayesco Villa has a small staff apartment which is occasionally occupied (discreetly) by the resident manager
- Both villas are on multiple levels, with sharp rocks aplenty: keep an eye on toddlers
- We've not yet seen the villas in person, but we can't wait for our turn!
- Luxury Villas
- 2 villas for 10-21
- Self-catering (restaurants nearby)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Concierge Service
Tabayesco Villa (7br+)
This is a stunningly chic and slightly bohemian estate, mixing contemporary interiors with eye-catching rustic touches, and the added quirk of Mongolian yurts in the grounds (with their own little pool). As you arrive, you're greeted by a seated Buddha statue in a niche, and a Thai-style thatched sala; step inside and there's a driftwood tree balancing bulbous glass displays, amid spotless whitewashed interiors. There's nothing else quite like it on the island.
The house comes with a huge sleek kitchen - which looks minimalist but conceals all the appliances and gadgets you could need; and an equally airy indoor dining area alongside, with a chunky carved-wood table and long bench seating for 14. But more atmospheric is to dine outside in the thatched pavilion, looking onto the pebble courtyard (including hot tub and table tennis), and out to sea.
The ground floor also has a raised lounge and two kingsize bedrooms, both with ensuite bathrooms. Steeps sweep up to the next level, with three more bedrooms (two twins and one double), sharing two bathrooms, plus a sunset-facing terrace with daybed. On the top floor is perhaps the most desirable of the six bedrooms, with kingsize bed, free-standing stone bath plus walk-in shower, and fabulous views past swaying palms to the Atlantic.
If you need more space, there's a separate, simpler Garden Room below the main pool, with a double bed and shower room. And that's not all. A trio of rugged double-skinned Mongolian yurts sits on the lower terrace, each with its own walk-in shower room (stone washbasin, separate WC), Indonesian furniture and skylight for ventilation and star-gazing. One of these has a kingsize double and a single bed; the other two have twin beds. They share a pair of outdoor kitchenettes and a separate freeform pool - making it a lovely option for older children within your party.
Please note there is also a small staff apartment which is occasionally occupied (discreetly) by the resident manager. If coming with younger kids, be aware of the multiple levels, sharp rocks and the ungated main pool.
Mala Villa (5-6br)
You step from the sunny dining terrace into an airy, double-height living-dining space, with a compact but fully equipped kitchen in one corner, an indoor dining table for 6-8, and a cosy sitting niche within a curved bay window.
There are also two double bedrooms on this level: an air-conditioned master with ensuite bathroom and a smaller double with separate bathroom. Steps lead up to a handy mezzanine chilling-working area with desk, L-shaped sofa and a huge but unfurnished balcony; plus a third bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows (and rolling blinds) for immense views.
The fourth and fifth bedrooms are located in a separate part of the villa, which has its own small kitchen and dining area. One of these is a split-level triple bedroom (single bed downstairs, double bed up a steep ladder), while the other is an adjoining double with ensuite. This part could work well for older children, or for a separate family within a larger group.
There's no shortage of outdoor spaces, too. Next to the house is a part-covered sitting-dining terrace with lovely views and a fat palm tree; while by the pool is a yoga room (complete with mats and blocks) that could also serve as a kids' play area or even a sixth bedroom (there are two comfy single mattresses, which sit directly on the floor).
Activities
- Many incredible sights are just a short drive away, including El Mirador del Río, several lava-formed caves and the ferry for the island of La Graciosa
- Book various activities before you arrive, including in-villa massages, yoga and walking tours across the island
- This northerly coast is lined with picturesque sandy beaches - the loveliest being La Garita (1.5km from Tabayesco) - along with a number of natural swimming pools
- Other recommendations include walking tours in Parque Nacional de Timanfaya in the west of the island
- Plus wine tasting at the island's bodegas, watersports (including SUP and surfing), submarine boat tours and more
- You can read more about these in the in-villa information packs, or the concierge can offer help planning and booking in advance
Best Time to go
Lanzarote enjoys a warm climate year-round, with highs reaching around 25-30C in August, and ranging between 17-25C in January. Rain levels are low. If you ask locals, they'll say the best time to visit is between September and December, when weather is most settled. It’s an ideal location to seek respite from cold winters in northern Europe.
Our Top Tips
From nearby Orzola, take a half-hour ferry ride across the periwinkle-blue sea to La Graciosa, a car-free island with some incredible fish restaurants. Don’t miss a visit to the fascinating end-of-the-world viewpoint El Mirador del Río, a short drive away. It's also well worth going wine-tasting in La Geria region.
Location
Lanzarote Luxury Villas are located in two tranquil villages in northern Lanzarote: Tabayesco and Mala.
By Air:
Fly into Arrecife (30km), Lanzarote's only airport, in the island's capital.
From the Airport
Most guests hire a car. You could take a taxi or minibus, but you'll need wheels to go shopping or eating out, as well as exploring.
Detailed directions to your villa will be sent when you book.
Airports:
- Lanzarote Arrecife 30.0 km ACE
Other:
- Beach 1.0 km
- Shops 3.0 km
- Restaurant 1.0 km