Hotel Rural Victoria

Reviewed by Laura Dibben


A TOWN TO TREASURE..............

A few kilometres above Tenerife’s jagged northern coast, set amongst a sea of banana plantations in the foothills of Mount Teide, lies the picturesque town of La Orotava. The magnificent and monumental architectural masterpieces that nestle within have been so sublimely maintained, it is no wonder that the old town has been declared a National Monument of Historical and Artistic Interest. A multitude of centuries old, stone manor houses adorned with ancient wooden balconies line the cobbled streets, silently confirming that this was once the aristocratic centre of Tenerife.

As legend has it, one of these 16th Century manor houses was the first in all of Tenerife to have electricity, and it is here where the Hotel Victoria now stands. On stepping through the antique wooden doors and up a small staircase, a large, Andalucian-style interior patio invites you in. Enrique and Erika, the friendly husband and wife team and “hands on” owners welcome you with a smile. Like with the rest of the town, the overall feeling within the Hotel is one of tradition.

The Hotel’s 14 bedrooms comprise of Standard Doubles, Superior Doubles and one Suite. The majority of the rooms are arranged over the first and second floors (yes there is a lift!), whilst those on the third floor with direct access to the roof terrace are accessible by stairs only. Rooms are simply decorated, and a few still retain some of the charming original features of the house such as beamed ceilings, hardwood floors, and the Suite in particular with its carved wooden balcony overlooking the street – a very typical feature of the aristocratic Canarian manor homes. Some of the rooms have sea views, and all are equipped with en-suite bath or shower room, satellite TV, telephone, well-stocked mini-bars, heating, safe, hair dryer and Wi-Fi internet connection (which does vary in speed from room to room owing to the thickness of these 16th Century walls!).

Simple yet sufficient buffet breakfasts, as well as typical Canarian home cooked lunches and dinners are served in the ground floor dining room. For a change, try their tapas bar and charming bodega, or Enrique and Erika will be happy to provide local restaurant recommendations and a post-dinner stroll through the cobbled streets of this enchanting town or a nightcap on the Hotel roof terrace is highly recommended.

Activities abound in the area. A network of trails that stretch between the town and the highest points of the Cañadas del Teide National Park make this a seventh heaven for walkers and mountain bikers. Two golf courses can be reached within 25 minutes by car from the Hotel, and nearby black volcanic sand beaches are wonderful for taking in that glorious year-round sunshine. Enrique is the secretary of La Orotava’s tourist board, so for those who want to take in the cultural and natural offerings of the town and its surroundings, you have come to the right place!

The Hotel does not have private parking, but you can stop in front of the Hotel to unload your luggage, and they will then direct you to the nearest car park (at 300m).

An ideal Hotel if you are looking for a simple taste of traditional Canarian culture in a monumental setting - the town is an achitect's dream! An idyllic location for history buffs and nature lovers alike.