Those great spots like Land’s End or John O’Groats in the UK and Finisterre in Spain where in the old days they really believed they were at the end of the world, or the land, hold passion and mysticism.
Now the Canary Islands has its own land’s end – where you can stay. A converted lighthouse, now a luxury hotel…..
La Palma has the first lighthouse hotel on the Canary Islands. The new luxurious Faro Cumplida, faro means lighthouse in Spanish, has opened after three years of major renovations, for guests who look for unusual and off-grid experiences.
Sitting on the northern tip of La Palma with unadulterated Atlantic Ocean views, unless there’s a ship passing of course, Faro Cumplida is still in use to warn and navigate vessels. The hotel has four luxury rooms and suites for up to eight guests situated in the light housekeeper’s house which is directly below the watchtower.
The historical building now offers a hotel with modern style and facilities. Including a roof terrace, a rather amazing infinity pool, a 36 metre high watchtower and a garden. The two suites, Farero Suite and La Palma & Atlantic Suite sleep four and two people respectively, both have private terraces over the most unusual views.
A traditional patio with locally made Tea Wood pergola leads to the entrance and the 158 steps of the lighthouse which wind up to the top of the tower and give fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean, the surrounding banana plantations and La Palma’s stunning mountains.
But it’s not only the views that are worth climbing for, this sky terrace bar – the Sky High Mini Bar offers drinks and refreshments which I’m sure are needed after that climb.
If you don’t fancy a climb what about a swim in the infinity pool with incredible views you could easily imagine you were swimming the Atlantic.
Historical Lighthouse Hotel Saves Lives
During World War II a German submarine sunk the British battle ship Pacific Star near the Canary Island of La Palma. Ninety-seven sailors were saved by the light they saw from the lighthouse. After drifting for three days, they made it to shore, having seen the light, and the locals took the sailors into their homes and their lives were saved, thanks to the 152-year-old lighthouse and the kindness of strangers.
Where is Faro Cumplida
La Palma is also called La Isla Bonita – The Pretty Island and it’s the most north-westerly island of the group known as the Canary Islands, which although Spanish are actually nearer the African coast.
Beautifully rugged and scenic with fabulous all-year-round climate it’s a great place for walking, hiking, nature lovers and just to disconnect watch the amazing changing scenery across the Atlantic Ocean and dream.