As self-catering properties go, we think this 200-year-old farmhouse offers a brilliant balance of style and practicality. Sensitively renovated, the property’s whitewashed exterior blends seamlessly with the sleepy village of Guatiza, but what the walls mask is anything but simple. High beamed ceilings, mosaicked bathrooms, cleverly placed windows (ensuring plenty of natural light) and generous kitchen and living areas give way to lush gardens, an idyllic pool area and an impressive veranda with views towards the hills.
Californian-born owner John and his German wife Stephy have poured their hearts into the place - a real labour of love - and their passion for the property is contagious. Inspired by their time spent travelling the world, the villa’s décor is an eclectic mix of artisan finds: bespoke furniture shipped in from Morocco, a Mexico-inspired mural in the bedroom, and an impressive, candle-filled lattern suspended from the dining room ceiling. Blissfully unpretentious, this 2-3 bedroom home-from-home (sleeping up to 4 + 2 kids on a sofabed) is great for friends or families, whether you're looking to trek the volcanic landscape, amble around the nearby fishing village of Arrieta, or simply lounge in the Canarian sun.
Highs
- With comfortable loungers, a large dining area and an impressive selection of indigenous plants, the outdoor pool area is the perfect place to unwind
- You can really get creative in the well-equipped, roomy kitchen, and the welcome hamper is extremely generous, too
- The warm welcome from owners John and Stephy, who are personable, approachable and only too keen to help you settle in and make the most of your stay
- Set in a wonderfully secluded corner of a peaceful village (a short drive from the coast), but ideally located for exploring the north of the island
- The villa has everything you could possibly need for a successful holiday on the island: buckets and spades, bikes, golf clubs, a surfboard...
Lows
- Guatiza village is very quiet so car hire is pretty much essential - though the airport is an easy drive and there's a double garage
- No twin beds
- The villa has an annexe, closed to guests, which is sometimes occupied by a local resident
- Full pre-payment is required in advance of arrival, and there's a 7-night minimum stay
- Pool heating Nov-March incurs an additional charge
- Baby cots
- High chairs
- Baby bedding
- Baby bath
- Potty
- Baby bouncer
Some equipment may need to be requested in advance
There's a well-equipped kitchen complete with oven, food processor, blender and a plastic picnic set, plus guests receive an excellent welcome hamper on arrival.
- Garden
- Swimming pool
- Bikes
- Surfboard and body board
- Beach and pool toys
- Buckets and spades
- TV/DVD player and DVD library
- Books
- Board games
- Boutique Farmhouse
- Villa for 2-6
- Self-catering (drive to restaurants)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Heated Pool
- Sauna
- 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
- Bicycles Available
- Weekly cleaning/laundry service
- Golf clubs and tennis rackets
- Surfboard/body board
Rooms
The villa is packed full of character; real thought has gone into every detail. Windows have been strategically positioned to make the most of the natural light, and the open-plan kitchen-dining room merges with the lounge to create an expansive central space.
In the master bedroom, artisan wooden furniture (custom made and shipped in from Morocco) and dark shutters contrast beautifully with whitewashed walls and crisp bed linen. The spacious ensuite has monochrome mosaic tiling, a power shower, twin basins, an exposed volcanic stone wall and, most unusually, a built-in planter next to the shower – home to a pair of local palms (and, when we arrived, a friendly little lizard!).
Although slightly smaller, the second bedroom is no less appealing. There's a fun hand-painted mural above the bed, and it also has its own sleek ensuite shower bathroom. Blissfully devoid of any technology, both bedrooms are perfect for well-deserved holiday lie-ins. There's also a sofabed in the study (just off the lounge), which is best suited to children.
Throwing open the double doors in the bedrooms reveals a large veranda and a lush lava-pebbled garden, adding a real sense of space. It's the ideal spot for admiring the volcanic views and enjoying a sunset G&T. And just off the main house is a collection of rooms dedicated to the more active among us, should you wish to take a break from total relaxation on the sunloungers! You’ll find a small but well-equipped gym, a sauna, and a garage bursting with bikes, surfboards, buckets and spades – there's even a set of golf clubs!
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Tumble dryer
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Eating
Designed to be used for more than just light lunches, the kitchen is comprehensively equipped with a 6-ring burner, a 3-compartment oven, a large fridge-freezer, a toaster, a kettle, and a Nespresso coffee machine with a generous supply of pods. A rummage through the cupboards revealed even more handy appliances (a steamer, a food processor and a blender), plenty of pots and pans, crockery, a very useful plastic picnic set for use by the pool, and a beautiful collection of glasses. We also discovered spices, condiments and other store-cupboard essentials.
The huge wooden dining table, with a beautiful candle-filled Moroccan lamp suspended overhead, got us dreaming of hosting convivial dinner parties, and the poolside dining area comes with a gas barbecue for alfresco meals in the late afternoon sun.
The local supermarket is just a 5-minute walk away and is surprisingly well supplied for such a sleepy village. We stocked up on fresh fruit and veg, cured meats and some delectable (and reasonably priced) local wine. We were impressed by the meat counter and could’ve bought more, but the welcome hamper (wine, beer, milk, water, bread, cheese, fresh fruit) provided by the owners is incredibly generous and almost proved too much to get through during our short stay.
If you don’t fancy cooking there is plenty on offer in the fishing village of Arrieta, just a 10-minute drive away. Enjoy the catch of the day in one of the unassuming fish restaurants with hidden terraces overlooking the waves, or head down the track to the local beach bar for great tapas and a more laid-back vibe.
Features include:
- Barbecue
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Food blender
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- Kids' meals
- Microwave
- Oven
- Toaster
- Welcome hamper
Activities
- Soak up the rays on Arrieta’s sandy beach, Playa Garita - the villa provides everything you'll need, including towels, umbrellas, and buckets and spades for the kids
- Feel like a Bond villain as you admire the stunning panoramic views and incredible architecture of Mirador del Rio - a lookout point and restaurant at the northern tip of the island
- Or wallow in the crystal-clear waters at Caleton Blanco - this idyllic white-sand beach is one of the island’s hidden gems
- Set sail from Orzola for the unspoilt beaches and fish restaurants of the smallest of the inhabited Canary Islands, La Graciosa
- Marvel at over 1,000 different species of cactus at famed island architect César Manrique’s Jardín de Cactus, on the outskirts of Guatiza village
- Visit the otherworldly volcanic caves and pools of Jameos del Agua, located at the end of the world’s longest lava flow. It’s also home to the only blind albino crabs in the world!
- Put on your hiking boots and explore the island’s volcanic terrain - Timanfaya never fails to impress
- Treat yourself to some aloe vera beauty products at one of the many markets dotted around the island - a speciality of the Canaries, they’re great for sun-drenched skin
- Make the most of the equipment on offer in the garage - go cycling or surfing, or practice your swing before easing aching muscles in the sauna
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Golf
- Hiking
- Mountain biking
- Plantlife / flora
- Shopping / markets
- Surfing
- Swimming
Best Time to go
With almost perennial good weather, Lanzarote is a year-round destination. The winter months are the busiest as Northern Europeans desperate for sun flock to the island. If you're planning an active holiday, you might want to avoid the more extreme heat of July and August.
Our Top Tips
You could be forgiven for spending your days out and about cycling and exploring the island, but with such a luxurious pool and sauna at your disposal it would be a sin not to set aside a lazy day for basking in the sun and taking a leisurely dip.
Location
Villa Guatiza is located in the village of Guatiza in northeast Lanzarote, just off the main LZ-1 highway.
By Air:
Lanzarote Arrecife (22km away) is Lanzarote’s only airport and is an easy 25-minute drive away. It's served by a wide range of scheduled, budget and charter flights - click on the links below for a list.
From the Airport
You could take a taxi, but a car is essential if you want to tour the island or dine out - see our car rental recommendations. The villa has a private double garage.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com. 
More on getting to Lanzarote and getting around
Airports:
- Lanzarote Arrecife 22.0 km ACE
Other:
- Beach 8.0 km
- Shops 0.4 km
- Restaurant 8.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape