Here's a decision that changes your trip more than the flight, more than the car, and more than the restaurant: where you sleep.
And I'm not talking about the area — we've already covered that — but the type of place. Because in Lanzarote, a beach hotel is nothing like a volcanic stone finca (traditional Canarian farmhouse) in the middle of silence. They're two different islands.
This guide will tell you which one suits your trip, and what to check before you hit book.
The five options
🏨 Hotel
first-timers, short trips, anyone who doesn't want to think about a thing. Where: Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise.
breakfast, reception, daily cleaning, heated pool, everything sorted. Cons: you'll see the Lanzarote that's in the brochures. The rest of the island gets told to you by a guide.
🏢 Apartment
just about everyone. It's the default choice, and it's not a bad one. Pros: a kitchen — and that's 21 meals a week sorted. Space, a washing machine, price. Cons: they're tourist blocks. Neighbours, noise, lifts. But they work.
an apartment with a kitchen doesn't save you money on the room, it saves you money on food. It can shift your weekly budget by €200. Budget for a week
🏝️ Villa with a pool
families, groups, two couples travelling together. And anyone coming to properly stay, not just sleep. Pros: your own pool, terrace, privacy, kitchen. Split between six, it works out better than it looks. Cons: pricey if there's just two of you. And a car is a must for absolutely everything, dinner included.
🌵 Finca or rural cottage
repeat visitors. Those who come for the island, not the beach. Where: the interior — Yaiza, Uga, Tinajo, La Asomada, Máguez, Tabayesco.
volcanic stone walls, courtyards, absolute silence, the best starry sky you'll ever see, and you're 15 minutes from Timanfaya and La Geria. This is the real Lanzarote. Cons: a car for everything. Nothing within walking distance. Fewer services. If you're travelling with teenagers, brace yourself.
⛵ La Graciosa
anyone after a strange, good night. No cars, sandy streets, stars and silence. Very limited beds, and you need to book well in advance.
Which one's right for you?
Your trip Your place
First time, 3-4 daysApartment or hotel in Puerto del CarmenBeach and familyApartment in Playa Blanca or Costa TeguiseGroup or two familiesVilla with poolI'm here to see the islandFinca in the interiorAlready been and want something differentFinca in the northCheap getawayApartment in ArrecifeWinter hikingFinca in the interior or in HaríaTwo weeksSplit it: one week on the coast, one week inland
What to check before you book
This is what really separates a good stay from a headache on this particular island:
❄️ Is the pool heated?
Mistake number one, and the most expensive one. The air here sits around 21°C in winter… but an unheated pool is freezing from November to April. You pay for a villa with a pool and don't swim a single day.
If you're coming between October and May: ask explicitly whether it's heated and whether there's an extra cost. Many places only heat it on request, and for a fee.
💨 Is the terrace sheltered?
The alisio (trade wind) blows almost every day. A gorgeous terrace facing straight into the wind never gets used. Look for an inner courtyard, a wall or an awning. Locals have been building with walls for 300 years — there's a reason for that.
🚗 Is there parking?
In the interior, there's plenty. In Puerto del Carmen and Arrecife, not always. And you're going to have a car whether you like it or not. Getting around Lanzarote
🍳 Is the kitchen an actual kitchen?
A "kitchenette" can mean two hobs and a microwave. If you're planning to actually cook, scrutinise the photos: oven, full-size fridge, washing machine.
💧 The water
Tap water is desalinated: safe to drink, but almost everyone drinks bottled water anyway. Some fincas in the interior rely on a water tank: not a problem, but worth knowing.
📄 The licence
Ask for the holiday home registration number. A legal accommodation has one and will show it without hesitation. If they dodge the question, that's a bad sign — and if there's ever an inspection, the problem ends up being yours, not theirs.
🌡️ Air conditioning
Almost nobody has it here, and almost nobody needs it. With a high of 28°C in August and the alisio doing its job, it's overkill. Don't rule out a good place just because of that.
Booking direct or through a platform
Platforms are fine for browsing. But booking directly with the owner has real advantages, and price isn't the only one:
- No commission. There's usually room to manoeuvre: the commission the owner saves either comes off your price, or turns into a nice extra.
- You talk to whoever holds the keys. Having someone who actually lives on the island run the place changes the whole stay: they'll tell you where to eat properly, which cove has nobody on it, and what to do if there's calima (Saharan dust haze) on Tuesday.
- Flexibility. A late arrival, a date change, a cot: sorted with a quick conversation.
- The money stays here. And on an island of 150,000 people, that matters.
with a platform, you've got a safety net if something goes wrong. Booking direct, the safety net is trust. So check reviews, ask for the licence and talk to the person before you pay.
FAQs
Villa or apartment in Lanzarote?
Is a finca in the interior worth it?
What's the most important thing to check?
Do you need air conditioning?
Is it safe to book directly with the owner?
How far in advance should I book?
What about travelling with kids?
Where to look
We're slowly putting together the places we love at LanzaStay: villas, fincas, rural cottages and apartments across Lanzarote, all bookable directly with the owner. We add more every week.
There's a difference between spending a week in Lanzarote and sleeping in Lanzarote. Any beach hotel gives you the first one. The second is waking up between volcanic stone walls, stepping barefoot into the courtyard, and hearing absolutely nothing.
You'll see the whole island either way. What changes is what's on the other side of your window when you open your eyes.
Villa, finca, apartment or hotel? What would you choose, and why? 👇