Hotel Rural Cuatro Esquinas

This was a memorable visit. Located in San Miguel de Abona, well away from the main tourist centres, this small hotel was formerly a family home and exudes charm and character. Whilst room facilities are basic, they are perfectly adequate, and in any case there is a strong gravitational pull towards the lovely courtyard which doubles as an outdoor cafe during daytime. The host, Augustin, is welcoming and helpful, and always on hand to answer any questions that guests may have. I didn't get a chance to speak to Charo, Augustin's wife, mainly because she was far too busy working flat out cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Whether one orders a snack, lunch or evening meal the food is excellent and reasonably priced, as is the locally produced wine. The indoor restaurant where evening meals are served is intimate and atmospheric, and food is cooked from scratch with locally sourced ingredients. When checking out the following morning Augustin was more than happy to look after my bags for a few hours while I wandered around the town, and when I later met my cousin and her husband at the hotel they were so taken by its ambience that an immediate decision was made to have lunch in the courtyard. This is a hotel full of heart and soul run by hard-working, genuine people, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you are seeking an atmospheric alternative to the sort of sterile tourist accommodation that is pervasive in the southern half of the island then look no further.