Our overall view: A beautiful, 17th century historic mansion set right on Garachico’s picturesque plaza offering a friendly, stylish and comfortable base from which to explore. An idyllic hotel in a great location.
Where is Hotel La Quinta Roja?
Hotel La Quinta Roja sits on what, for us, is Tenerife’s most beautiful plaza. The terracotta walls and tea wood sash windows of the hotel occupy the north side of Glorieta, alongside the former Convent of San Francisco with its frontage guarded by three gracious palm trees, and opposite the house of the Counts of La Gomera and the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall). As far as picturesque locations go, this one’s hard to top.
What’s Hotel La Quinta Roja like?
The very first time I visited Garachico I stuck my head through the open door of La Quinta’s reception, stared into its enclosed courtyard garden and wished that I could stay there. Rich, dark, polished wooden balconies supported by columns and standing on a stone floor surround a small garden oasis with palm and fruit trees and cane easy chairs scattered amongst the plantings. It’s the sort of space that draws you in, sits you down and then gently massages your shoulders while you breathe deeply and let the world wash over you.
It took me ten years to get around to finally staying at La Quinta Roja by which time the reality could easily have fallen short of the expectation. But it didn’t. From the outside, the simple baroque design with its slate insets and symmetry give an indication of the elegance of style within. The building is constructed on two levels around its open courtyard, maximising the effect of the light which floods the interior. Stone staircases access the upper level beneath high, polished ceilings. The Colonial wooden balconies are wide enough to take a sitting room’s worth of furnishings and still leave ample room for strolling by. The former lookout tower which was constructed to give early warning of pirate attacks now provides a 360º viewpoint over the town, the mountains and the ocean; and there’s a small solarium and sauna on the rooftop.
La Quinta Roja’s greatest assets are its handsome looks, its picturesque location, its historic character and its warm welcome that treats visitors as if it’s the hotel’s personal responsibility to ensure everything about their stay, both within and outside their establishment, is the best it can be. If you’re looking for style and comfort in authentic, rural Tenerife, this is for you.
What are the bedrooms like?
Retaining most of the features of the original design of the building, rooms are all individually styled and furnished but all incorporate polished wooden floors, wooden ceilings and wooden sash windows. With the addition of air conditioning, a flat screen TV and a CD player, contemporary comfort and convenience are integrated into the traditional design. Rooms are either standard double, superior double or Junior Suites and the floor space increases proportionately. We had an interior conservatory which looked out over Plaza de la Libertad and provided a lovely spot in which to relax.
Natural light is minimal in keeping with the building’s original design which was intended to keep places cool during the hot summer months. All en suite bathrooms are identical, decorated in beautiful blue, Moroccan style tiles and have ample showers with masses of hot water and fluffy bathrobes. Despite its central location, we experienced no noise whatsoever, which is not surprising, given that Garachico is hardly the nightlife centre of the island. But I also found that even during the day, noise was minimal, the central courtyard seeming to absorbs sound.
How good is the food?
Breakfast is served in the lovely interior dining room where there’s also a small bar, and you can choose to eat inside or to occupy a table on the sunken outside terrace alongside Plaza de la Libertad.
One of the nicest things about the breakfast was the inclusion of home made cakes and jams and a good selection of local goat’s cheeses to go with the cold meats, cereals, breads and tropical fruit selection. The hotel doesn’t have a half board option but as Garachico is blessed with several good restaurants that’s not a hardship. If you want to enjoy some excellent tapas including quality jamon Iberico cuts, along with local wines, try the hotel’s tasca.
What’s the best thing about Hotel La Quinta Roja?
That beautiful inner courtyard and the central location which gives strolling access to the rock pools, several good restaurants and the little beach. One of the few places that gives relatively easy access to the remote and stunning Teno National Park, this is the ideal location for hikers and mountain bikers.
How much is it?
Double rooms are €106.67 (£77.50) a night in low season and €117.14 (£85) in peak season (up to 12th April 2015); superior doubles range from €127.62 (£93) to €146.67 (£106) and Junior Suites from €148.57 (£108) to €172.38 (£125). The hotel has special offers for summer 2015, see the website for details. The price includes breakfast, access to the sauna and solarium and use of the hotel’s mountain bikes but not the local IGIC tax (add 7%).
Who would Hotel La Quinta Roja suit best?
Those visitors who are interested in experiencing the real Tenerife; those looking to explore the north and west corners; golfers who want to play Buenavista Golf Course; romantics; hikers and bikers. Families will find Garachico extremely child-friendly. It won’t suit anyone looking for a lively night life, golden sand beaches or theme parks.
Hotel La Quinta Roja, Glorieta de San Francisco s/n, 38450 Garachico, Tenerife; (+34) 922 13 33 77
Andrea (Andy) Montgomery is a freelance travel writer and co-owner of Buzz Trips and The Real Tenerife series of travel websites. Published in The Telegraph, The Independent, Wexas Traveller, Thomas Cook Travel Magazine, EasyJet Traveller Magazine, you can read her latest content on Google+
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