Hotel Casa de Hilario

Located inland, the Casa de Hilario is set in the small village of Yaiza close to the Timanfaya Volcanic Park. Like all villages in Lanzarote, Yaiza comprises of low level white buildings with green window and door frames. There isn't much happening in the surroundings; however for those of you looking for some peace and quiet, Yaiza is an ideal place to stay.

The guesthouse is owned by the same people as Casa de Yaiza a little further up from the centre of the village. The restaurant, Casona de Yaiza, is a real delight and as there is no restaurant at Casa de Hilario, you tend to find most guests here in the evenings. Breakfast is served at Casa de Hilario in a breakfast room, or outside on the open patio.

Casa de Hilario forms part of the history of the area. The 17th Century building used to be a well-loved priest's (Hilario) home. He was a famous character in the area, where he would often be seen returning from walks in the arid landscapes of the island with his camel. A mural by the pool represents Hilario coming home at sunset to keep the priest's spirit alive.

The house looks like a local house from the exterior. The original 17th Century foundations have been kept along with the white washed walls; the house has retained an authentic feel. Upon arrival, there is a small car park higher up the hill. Back down to the front entrance, the house is accessed through the main door bringing you into a hall with two bedrooms. Up the stairs you will find a tranquil sitting room with a fireplace and kitsch style Japanese paintings by a good artist friend of the owners from Barcelona, German Carrégalo. It never gets quite cold enough to use the fireplace but it does help in making the house cosy. Comfortable and silent, the room makes for an ideal place to read or to contemplate the island's landscape through its large bay windows. Back downstairs, past the two guest rooms, there is the hearth of the house, the kitchen-come-breakfast room which is adjoined to a semi outdoor terrace decorated with many potted plants of all shapes and sizes. Most guests tend to have breakfast on the terrace outside the front door for the views and sunshine. Through the kitchen is the access to an outdoor area where the pool and other rooms can be found. The pool is set a little away from the rooms. Small but effective, it overlooks the typical arid landscape of Lanzarote. The pool deck is perfectly positioned to watch the sunset - make sure that you are to the right of the deck or your view will be obstructed by a tall lone palm tree.

There are eight rooms at Casa de Hilario. All the rooms have been decorated in a unique style; some are more spacious than others but all have an oriental or broadly Asian theme. We strongly recommend room 4 which is very spacious and attractively decorated in a fresh gentle turquoise. The bed is encased in a white cement organic frame typical of local artist, Manrique's, work which is also typical of Ibiza. The fresco on the back wall behind the bed depicts a Japanese scene on a lake; the blues and greens of the painting characterise the rest of the room. The bathroom is also spacious although there is no bath tub. You will find a safety deposit box as well as a flat screen television in all the rooms. The rooms out on the patio area tend to be larger and lighter than the two found in the original house. The rooms are all extremely comfortable and safe.

The only meal served at Casa de Hilario is breakfast. There is usually a small yet varied buffet in the kitchen area. Guests can help themselves and go sit out on the terrace outside the front door or in the semi-outdoor green terrace which adjoins the kitchen. Guests feel at home here very quickly, so although breakfast is a time when you get to say hello to your neighbours, it is a very easy going affair. As there is no lunch or dinner served at the guesthouse, guests tend to eat whilst exploring the island or they stop at Casona de Yaiza, owned by the same people as the Casa de Hilario, which has a restaurant that serves beautiful food and wine. The Argentine chef, Mariano Arganini, is a real "artist" as described by our host, German Carrégalo, who was holding the fort whilst the owners were on holiday during our visit. After sitting down to dinner on two separate occasions, we can confirm that the ingredients are fresh and the dishes original and very tasty. On our first night the chef surprised us with a cold melon soup with fried Serrano ham and olive oil, a deliciously light sautéed duck liver salad and succulent white fish with a peach and garlic dressing among other delights! Definitely one to try no matter where you are staying on the island! The Andalucían waiter will also coax you into trying a bottle or two of local wine either from the Stratus Bodega or from the El Grifo, both exquisite, so don't be shy!