Hotel San Roque

With its eight double rooms, eight duplexes and four suites all exquisitely decorated with lashings of contemporary stylings, you would be forgiven for not immediately recognising the history of this building: an 18th century mansion built by a descendant of the aristocratic founder of the port and town of Garachico, which the Carayon family renovated in 1992. And when you think about the word 'renovation', it literally means 'renewing'. You couldn't better describe the way the Carayons have restored what is now Hotel San Roque. It has some of the most stunning room decors we have seen for some time - so clean and effortlessly simple, with a mighty fine sheen, and still respects the original architecture and structure.

Every room, not just suites, contains a jacuzzi-bath and mod cons such as satellite TV and wi-fi internet. A large emphasis has been placed on selected designers of the furniture and chairs. In different rooms and suites, you will find ones by feted designers Rennie Mackintosh, Eileen Gray and Mies Van Der Rohe. There are duplexes with spiral staircases and also two cases of interconnecting double rooms, providing a great alternative to the suites for families, allowing 2 adults and up to 3 children to stay together.

The owners' love of art is clear for all to see, with the Miquel Navarro "sentry" fountain structure you see on one of the patios to your left, aliminium-made and welded without screws, the submarine-like window and ceiling design by Carmen Calvo, and the various carefully-chosen paintings.

Indeed we did already mention two patios: one functions as a lounge and bar area where many guests like to enjoy a coffee or an aperitif. 6pm aperitifs are something of a tradition here; the commencement of which is seemingly signalled by the sounding of the local church bells. The other patio is home to a very elegant swimming pool with solar heating.