La Gomera, Hotel Parador de la Gomera

La Gomera is one of the three smaller Canary islands that tourists seldom visit. Most people stick with the bigger islands of Tenerife etc. In some ways it's a shame because only 25 minutes by hydrofoil from the them pubs and tacky nighclubs of Los Christianos in Tenerife is this tiny, beautiful island which is half stuck in the 1950s and half in the modern age.

A parador is an old Spanish castle, palace of monastery which has been converted into a hotel. In La Gomera the parador is an old Canarian mansion which has been extended and refurbished.

The parador sits on a cliff high above the tiny capital of San Sebastian which gives it a bit of a medieval feel. There are about 50 huge rooms which all come with four-poster beds and big old-fashioned bathrooms with massive baths.

The hotel has great views in addition to several lounges and nice restaurant open for dinner and breakfast and a big pool. It's never very packed but those who do stay there are a mix of young couple of families who are looking for Canary weather without the crush. All quite smart. Smart in more ways than one because it's also quite cheap compared to some 'package' accommodation.

The service is low-key and friendly as you would expect from a small island where everyone knows everyone else. The star of the show is the hotel's parrot who through the years has learned to talk in about 8 languages and is more than happy to chat away with the kids!