First off we loved the location and the property itself but felt nearly everything was just a little tired. I love independent hotels and places to stay. Invariably someone chooses to run a property because they have a passion for hospitality. Things are done differently but done well. Sadly I felt that this passion, as well as attention to detail, was something in short supply at Casa Tomaren.

We arrived and spent about 20 minutes trying to find someone, anyone( admittedly it was siesta time but it was hardly a surprise that we were coming) so we could check into our room and unpack but it was uncannily like the Marie Celeste.

People say first impressions are important so you decide what kind of first impression was made on us as we went into our cottage.
wardrobe with hangers thrown on the floor inside it, but no hanging space/rail( you hang your clothes over the banister stupid), a sofa that was really painful to sit on, blown light bulbs, broken fridge door handle, tiny pots, bird [--] over the balcony. None of these is particularly irksome but it all contributed to a sense of couldn't really be bothered. if someone had come around and made a quick check they would have noticed these things and could have them sorted.

Shame on us really perhaps we should have flagged some more of the faults at the time but we were tired and just wanted to get on with relaxing. When we did point out a problem it was sorted quickly. Having been in Lanzarote before we knew about a number of local attractions but there was a real absence of info in our cottage( again we could have asked but the onus shouldn't really be on us to be honest) Even a map with a local supermarket on and a couple of local restaurants with opening times would have been helpful.

Breakfast is supplied at Casa Tomaren and it’s not bad but it's not brilliant either. I would recommend that you avoid the coffee, we ended up making our own before breakfast as the luke warm brown liquid on offer was really quite dismal.


The pool area is great but some of the shady areas around could do with a spring clean some of the cushions and mattresses looked as though they were from Glastonbury festival circa 2003.

The staff were friendly and there was a daily maid service which is great but overall things could do with a little sprucing up. I wouldn't want this to become a chain hotel, casa Tomaren has buckets of charm and loads of character and is something a little different. We had a great time in spite of the faults and this place could be fantastic with some effort , maybe it was just off season and we got things at the wrong time.

Would I stay again? I'd love to just not sure if I could be bothered

Would I reccomend this hotel to a friend ?

Yes if they sort things out , No if it stays just the same

First the positives - the whole development looks wonderful from outside - beautifully landscaped gardens and pool area (albeit that the pool was chilly in February!). It is clear that a lot of money has been spent in developing the site.

But unfortunately... We arrived early afternoon as we had arranged, but no reception staff were present, just a chap who seemed rather disgruntled that we had arrived before 7.00pm. There was no warm welcome. When we arrived in the house (Kintimani) the fridge was off, there was no cot or highchair and we had to wire up the DVD player ourselves. The whole place felt cold and damp, and the rought stone floors not particularly clean. It did not smell fresh - perhaps not helped by the fact that behind a curtain in the bedroom was stored a large pile of old mattresses. In fairness a lot of money had been spent on oriental furniture and ornaments, but the place just did not feel comfortable. Worst of all the interior lighting was virtually useless, not helped by the fact that half the bulbs had blown when we arrived. Some of these were replaced at our request but even then the furniture used to stand on to change the bulbs was left all over the place as were the boxes from the bulbs.

It was not clear whether the accommodation was trying to be a hotel or self-catering, but it fell between the two - for instance there was not the daily service expected of a hotel, nor were some fairly standard things there for self-catering (such as cloths or washing up liquid). There was a small - and attractive - kitchen with basic facilities. Breakfast was served in a cold hall, and indeed on our last day nobody turned up to cook our eggs until we were about to leave, and I had to go into the kitchen myself to find the coffee. When we left we went to take the key back. Somebody we had not seen before was in the office. He opened the door, took the keys out of my wife's hand and shut the door again. This, I'm afraid, about summed it up.

We stayed with Gabi and her family over the festive season this year. What a relaxing place for chilling out and escaping the horrors of travelling around snowbound Scotland!

Our little apartment for 2 was more than adequate and was full of quaint touches as well as a flat screen and dvd set up for the evenings if required. Breakfast was taken in the main building and was great with proper coffee machine... eggs were a pleasant surprise each day.

Geographically perfectly placed to reach all of the island......

Pool slightly bracing but it was Dec!!!!

All in all a great find..... we look forwaed to returning Gabi

John & Lyn x

Firstly you’ll need a car. The directions are good but this place is out of the way. Lanzarote is a small island so it’s not really a problem.
The facts:
The villas are spacious and well appointed a little rustic and perhaps needing a lick of paint in parts. The kitchen is well used and the rusty washing machine was a turn off. Perhaps it’s the heat or the thick curtains but the rooms were stuffy. Beds are comfortable however new pillows would not go amiss. The grounds and pool are just wonderful as is the breakfast. The staff especially Gabi are a delight, making the stay truly memorable. The villas are not air-conditioned which in the evenings can make them quite warm. Sleeping with the windows open is not an option unless you fancy being a buffet or the mosquitoes.
The Hotel/resort is what it is and makes no excuses for being the peaceful relaxing place it’s advertised as. I’m not sure if we’ll be back but it was an experience (a positive none) – essentially this is semi-self catering boutique style.