Stay the night: Finca de Arrieta, Lanzarote

An organic finca in north-east Lanzarote offers stylish living and all mod cons

I've never been much of a camper. But, with a young family to keep happy, I've enthusiastically embraced "glamping" – all the fun of the outdoors without giving up the little luxuries. And when guests pitch up at the eco-yurts on Michelle and Tila Braddock's beautiful, organically styled finca in the north-east of Lanzarote, it's obvious they won't have to compromise on much.

The four stylishly designed dwellings sit in gardens of aloe, succulents, exotic fruit trees and local volcanic stone. The Eco Yurt, Eco Yurt Suite, Garden Cottage and Luxury Villa (a converted aljibe, or water store), as well as the couple's family home, are all off the national grid, running on a system of solar panels, wind turbines and the latest renewables – the largest such system on the island. Guests are encouraged to be aware of their energy consumption, but you don't have to go without your hairdryer or TV.

The rooms

Our Mongolian yurt felt luxurious – draped on the inside with rose-coloured satin and with the criss-crossed cane structure visible. A solid floor featured inset lights and Moroccan-style tiling. Despite the lashings of the Lanzarote winds it was sturdy and cosy, and had the added bonus of offering stargazing from bed, thanks to a flap in the roof. Outside, there was a wetroom and an al fresco kitchen, as well as a private deck with steamer chairs.

The food and drink

Apart from the chilled bottle of local wine that awaits all guests, you can collect fresh free-range eggs, tomatoes, onions and potatoes and whip up a brunch straight from the land. There's an excellent tapas bar on Arrieta beach or head into the village for restaurants specialising in seafood and papas arrugadas (Canarian potatoes baked in salt) and decent local wine. Beware: they eat early here – some places will close if there are no customers by 7.30pm.

The extras

There's a communal pool and chill-out area on site. The excellent hosts, Michelle and Tila, offer a range of activities and services – free and otherwise. There's weekly windsurfing and yoga, as well as island excursions and a mobile massage service. Don't miss the artist Cesar Manrique's work at his foundation (00 34 928 84 31 38; fcmanrique.org) and the Los Jameos del Agua Caves (00 34 928 84 80 20). Special tours of Timanfaya National Park (00 34 928 84 02 38) explore the lunar landscape of lava fields formed by enormous 18th-century eruptions.

The access

Children are made very welcome, with a range of toddler/baby equipment available on request. Those with limited mobility might find the uneven paths and steps in parts of the finca difficult to negotiate.

The bill

A week in the eco yurt (sleeps two, four with extra bed and cot) costs from £490. Monarch (08719 40 50 40; monarch.co.uk) has return fares to Lanzarote from Gatwick and regional airports from £138.99, including taxes. One week's hire of an A-class car with Economy Car Hire (0845 450 0877; economycarhire. com) costs from £84.

The address

Finca de Arrieta, Lugar Dieseminado 34, Tabayesco, Haria 35542, Lanzarote (00 34 696 982 873; holiday-rentals.co.uk/p85803).

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus

Day In a Page

Silent revolution at the Baftas as the French take top awards

Silent revolution at the Baftas

The Artist wins in seven categories, with Meryl Streep the other big success story
Whitney Houston: The diva who had – and lost – it all

The diva who had – and lost – it all

Nick Hasted charts the highs and lows of Whitney Houston's life
How Picasso won over (some of) the British

How Picasso won over (some of) the British

Winston Churchill and Evelyn Waugh hated his work, but Picasso provided inspiration for a whole generation of UK artists
Topshop: A Decade Of Design

Topshop: A Decade Of Design

When London Fashion Week starts on Friday, Topshop will celebrate 10 years backing its brightest young stars
John Prescott: 'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

At 73, John Prescott isn't mellowing. In fact he's taking a shot at becoming a police commissioner
Jim Gamble: We are losing the race to protect our young

Jim Gamble: We are losing the race to protect our young

Technology and the children who use it won't wait for slow-moving child-protection services and police to catch up
Sarah Sands: A friend is not the one you turn to, but the person who turns to you

Sarah Sands on friendship

A friend is not the one you turn to, but the person who turns to you
Andy Burnham: 'It's a genie out of the bottle moment'

Andy Burnham interview

'It's a genie out of the bottle moment'
Leveson: What we've learnt so far

Leveson: What we've learnt so far

Ingenious hacks, shifty editors and attacks of Sudden Memory Loss Syndrome – Matthew Bell assesses the state of play at the Royal Courts of Justice
Modern lovers: The 'sexual body warriors' and pioneers transforming 21st-century relationships

Modern lovers: The 'sexual body warriors'

Sarah Morrison meets the people redefining love in the 21st century.
'I was angry, so angry': How heartbreak, betrayal and Su Pollard helped Estelle find pop success

Estelle: 'I was angry, so angry'

The singer talks about heartache, betrayal and bouncing back.
Choc tactics: Bill Granger's Valentine's recipes for chocoholics

Bill Granger's Valentine's recipes for chocoholics

Should it be white, milk or plain? Can you make a melt-in-the-mouth pudding without using any?
Male, pale & stale: Could more women on the board help Mothercare – and other ailing firms?

Male, pale & stale

Could more women on the board help Mothercare – and other ailing firms?
Upstairs, downstairs, 2012-style

Upstairs, downstairs, 2012-style

There are now more domestic workers in Britain than in Edwardian times
Boos in Berlin for Jolie's war drama

Boos in Berlin for Jolie's war drama

Hollywood star defends her hard-hitting and controversial story set during the 1990s Bosnian conflict