An active lighthouse has been transformed into a luxury boutique hotel in a quiet part of La Palma in Spain's Canary Islands.
La Palma, dubbed La Isla Bonita (the Pretty Island), is the greenest of the Canary Islands and a Unesco biosphere reserve, but it's often overlooked by tourists in favour of the more bustling islands of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Tenerife. In recent years, however, it has established itself as a new type of Canary Islands tourist destination; one that gently caters to a small number of travellers in search of scenic hikes, lush landscapes and a taste of life in the slow lane.
In the most northerly part of the island sits Faro Punta Cumplida, an active lighthouse that has been transformed into a boutique hotel with three luxury suites in the lighthouse keeper's quarters, directly below the watchtower. Offering unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean, they share verdant gardens and an infinity pool, and each have their own private terrace.
An outdoor patio leads to the lighthouse entrance and the 158 steps that wind up to the top of the tower, where guests can enjoy a chilled glass of wine from the Sky High Mini Bar and open views of the Atlantic Ocean, the surrounding banana plantations and emerald-green La Palma mountains.
The 152-year-old lighthouse is located in Barlovento, a quiet town that's blessed with natural beauty and attractions like the saltwater pools of the Piscinas de la Fajana and the Caldera de Taburiente National Park. From here, it's just a 45-minute drive to the airport by car or just over an hour by bus.
Two of the suites accommodate two people, while one can sleep up to four people. For more information or to book a stay, see here.
