“Quiet Paradise on a Gorgeous Island”

We very much enjoyed our 4-night stay here and would very happily stay here again. The ferry from Tenerife is super easy and takes about 50 minutes. There are two ferry companies, and they run several times a day. We didn't have a rental car, so we had to do the walk up/down between the tow... Több

We very much enjoyed our 4-night stay here and would very happily stay here again. The ferry from Tenerife is super easy and takes about 50 minutes. There are two ferry companies, and they run several times a day. We didn't have a rental car, so we had to do the walk up/down between the town and hotel. The hotel is a 15-minute walk from the town, up steps and steep streets. The walk provides beautiful views over the town. In the heat of the afternoon, it can be quite sweat-inducing, and you may need to take several rests on the way up. In the cool of the evening, it was easier. The walk up and down may not be suitable for older our out of shape guests. The hotel and its gardens are absolutely beautiful. The hotel is situated on a cliff, affording it beautiful views over the town and sea and towards Tenerife. It felt like we were in paradise. We loved sitting/reading on our room's terrace or down at the covered cabana that sits above the pool. We also enjoyed getting drinks at the hotel bar and taking them outside to sit in the garden. The hotel is very quiet and attract an older, upper middle class crowd. There were not a lot of children. The pool is lovely and has a wonderful view over the sea. Very relaxing. Our room was on the ground floor and had french doors that opened onto a small terrace with a sea view. We loved keeping the french doors open during the day. The room is tastefully decorated. The bathroom was large with a double sink and bath/shower. The shower had hot water and good water pressure. The only cons: we would have preferred a king bed rather than the two separate single beds, and the bathroom could eventually use some updating/redecorating. The hotel breakfast is good. No complaints. I was a little embarrassed on the first morning because I didn't realise that individual tongs had been provided at the table (I assume a holdover from COVID), so I couldn't figure out how to serve myself any of the food at the buffet. I eventually figured it out only after asking to borrow someone else's tongs and embarrassing myself. The hotel's restaurant is nice. It has a formal feel and serves traditional Canarian/Spanish cuisine. My only complaint is that it feels too quiet and stiff. I wish they would play some music in the background, maybe some local Canarian music? It was so quiet, I felt like people sitting next to us could hear our conversation. We ate at the restaurant for dinner only one night of our 4-night stay. It is on the more expensive side, and there were not multiple dishes that we wanted to try. On the other 3 nights, we preferred to walk into town for dinner and drinks. The town has several dinner options. Our favorite was Restaurante Ambigu. We also really liked Pizzeria La Botellita if you are looking for something cheaper and more casual. For drinks in town, we would go to Kiosco Las Carbelas which is open all day and situated in a beautiful tree-covered public square. The Blue Marlin Bar on the same square was also very popular. One trick which isn't immediately obvious is that the hotel bar also serves food for lunch and dinner - so if you aren't in the mood for a formal dinner in the restaurant, there is the option at the bar for hamburgers, club sandwiches, etc. My partner said the club sandwich is good. I did several hikes while on La Gomera using the public buses to get to/from the trailheads. The bus station in San Sebastian is nice, and the signage is clear. The buses were very comfortable and ran on schedule. It is EUR 4.50 to get to Vallehermosa. I assume that's the most the bus ever costs. The only problem with the buses is that they only tell you the starting time, so if you are catching the bus mid-route, you have to guesstimate when the bus will arrive. The buses are also infrequent. La Gomera is gorgeous and well worth a long visit, especially if you enjoy hiking or cycling. It is not so great for beaches, and it is very quiet - not great for nightlife.

Kevesebb