Finca La Gaviota – El Marmol

Hotel Description

You know what? I wasn’t expecting much when I first pulled up to Finca La Gaviota – I mean, it’s tucked away on this quiet residential street called Camino la Sabina, and honestly, if you’re not paying attention to your GPS, you’ll probably drive right past it. But that’s actually part of its charm. This isn’t some flashy resort trying to impress you with marble lobbies and uniformed staff – it’s more like staying at your Spanish friend’s really nice family property, if your friend happened to have excellent taste and a thing for traditional Canarian architecture.

The whole place feels authentically local in a way that’s getting harder to find these days. The owners clearly know Icod de los Vinos inside and out, and they’re not shy about sharing their knowledge. Within five minutes of checking in, I had a hand-drawn map with the best hiking trails marked out and a recommendation for this tiny restaurant that doesn’t even have a sign (spoiler: the goat cheese there is incredible). The rooms themselves are simple but thoughtfully done – think exposed wooden beams, local ceramics, and those thick stone walls that keep everything blissfully cool even when it’s blazing outside. The air conditioning works perfectly, which honestly surprised me given how old the building feels, but they’ve clearly invested in the important stuff while keeping the original character intact.

What really sold me on this place was the morning routine. You wake up to the sound of birds – actual birds, not traffic – and there’s this little terrace where you can drink your coffee while looking out over the valley. The breakfast isn’t fancy, but it’s made with ingredients from farms you can literally see from the property. Fresh bread, local honey, tomatoes that actually taste like something. And here’s the thing about the location that took me a day to figure out – you’re close enough to walk into the center of Icod (maybe 15 minutes on foot), but far enough away that you don’t hear the tour buses that roll through to see the famous dragon tree. The parking situation is easy too, which anyone who’s driven around Tenerife’s older towns will appreciate. I’d definitely stay here again, especially if I was planning to do some serious hiking in the area. The owners know every trail within a 20-kilometer radius, and they’re genuinely excited to help you plan routes based on your fitness level and interests. It’s the kind of place where you end up extending your stay just because you’re comfortable and the people are lovely.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $80. Apartment with 1 large double bed and 2 single beds for Max persons: 2

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities