A WARM breeze blows through the open balcony doors as I fall asleep to the sound of the waves lazily crashing on the shore.

It’s November, I’m preparing myself for this festive season It’s crazy and I can’t think of a better way to relax before all this.

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A long weekend in Lanzarote, where the sun shone in the clear blue sky and the balmy temperature warmed me, was just a game. winter bones.

Our getaway was at Barcelo Teguise Beach, which has a great location right on the waterfront in Costa Teguise.

This smaller resort on the island’s sunny east coast is known for its beautiful golden sand beach and compact, walkable centre.

And we loved the fact that we had an adults-only room hotel was in the heart of the action.

Our room overlooked the bay and below and we could watch people jogging along the promenade in the morning and holidaymakers strolling along the many bars on the beach day and night. restaurants and stores.

The hotel’s Champs sports bar is also located right on the promenade; so you can enjoy all the benefits of the hotel’s all-inclusive package while staying in the middle of the city and on the beach.

This 4H property has a lovely boutique feel and welcomes a diverse mix of nationalities, the majority of whom are British, with a relaxed and chilled atmosphere.

There are two pools, a lovely main courtyard. swimming pool a rather rustic infinity number on a palm-tree-lined terrace overlooking the seafront, along with plenty of lounge chairs and cabana beds.

Of course, there was inevitably sunbeds being taken up for the sunniest spots, but it was encouraging to see staff clearing towels if beds remained empty for long periods of time.

The atmosphere was relaxed throughout the day, with occasional activities like water aerobics and board games. of the hotel enthusiastic staff.

At night, guests gathered after dinner at the swish B-Lounge, where there was live music and excellent music. cocktails.

I was especially impressed that the drinks were all first-class brands and that the waiters at your table served them ostentatiously straight from the alcohol bottle.

The hotel offers bed and breakfast and half board options, as well as all-inclusive deals, and the meals were of high quality with plenty of choice.

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Open for breakfast and dinner in winter, the main buffet restaurant offers different themed cuisine every night, as well as plenty of fresh salads and vibrant flavors. cooking stations serving everything from freshly grilled seafood to steak.

For lunch, those opting for an all-inclusive stay can choose from cozy pub classics at Champs or light local fare at Breeze Gastro Pool Bar.

I loved the Canary Islands cold tomato soup with slices of boiled egg and good quality Iberico ham.

The newly renovated rooms were also the perfect place to relax. Our junior suite had a separate living room and two balconies, one with its own jacuzzi and the other with sun loungers.

It really ticked all the boxes with plenty of storage space, USB sockets and a rain shower along with quality full size toiletries. The black and white toilet rolls were an interesting touch reflecting the natural volcanic geography of the island.

Most of the hotel’s deluxe double rooms have a bathtub on their balcony.

Unique natural beauty

The resort’s classic Lanzarote architectural The bright white walls and vibrant green woodwork are, of course, part of the immense legacy of Spanish artist, architect and activist Cesar Manrique.

His passion for preserving the island’s unique natural beauty led him to lead the fight against overdevelopment during a boom in tourism in the 1980s.

His influence helped establish strict building regulations that remain in force to this day, according to which buildings must be low and have traditional colours, with doors and windows of blue or green.

And the big man played an important role in the development of Costa Teguise. We wandered around Pueblo Marinero, a collection of whitewashed buildings with green wooden shutters and balconies, and home to a multitude of shops, houses and stores. restaurants.

Las Cucharas beach has been developed to respect the natural landscape, and even modest intersections in town feature sculptures and other works of art.

But that doesn’t mean you’re in a Disney-esque fantasy: there’s the inevitable Irish pubs and tapas restaurants, as well as happy hour £2 and cocktails Prices start from £4.50.

After spending a few days relaxing, we got into our rental car to further explore the island and Manrique’s influence.

We rented a car from Cicar and picked it up easily from the airport. Which?-recommended rental car provider is a gem. I paid £155 for five days. We were pleased to be offered an upgrade and all that cars come with goodness insurance extreme.

There’s even a handy Cicar app to help you with audio guides to the island’s main attractions

Lisa Minot

There’s even a handy Cicar app to help you with audio guides to the island’s main attractions.

Just a ten-minute drive took us to Manrique’s former home and studio in Taro de Tahiche; this is now the headquarters of the foundation dedicated to preserving his legacy.

This amazing house, which is also a museum where his art and personal collections are exhibited, was built inside a lava field, with its rooms and even a garden with a pool carved from natural volcanic formations.

Sunday is also the best day to visit the inland town of Teguise; Its narrow, cobbled streets host a weekly market selling pottery, ceramics and other handmade crafts. gem Your standard souvenirs, food and Canarian cheeses and meats, as well as local artisans.

For lunch we stopped at La Bodeguita del Medio in the middle of the market and enjoyed plump prawns, spicy chorizo ​​sausage and crispy potatoes for just £16.50 for a generous plate of six tapas dishes plus a basket of bread.

With clean roads and little traffic, we were admiring the amazing, stark lava fields and volcanic craters in Timanfaya national park in just half an hour.

Manrique’s influence continues here; He designed most of the buildings in the park, including the El Building. diablo A restaurant where chefs cook in the heat of an extinct volcano.

Here, you can enjoy grilled dishes, including chicken and chorizo, in the dining room designed by Manrique, which offers stunning views of the surroundings.