Punta Cumplida, the perfect refuge is in La Palma
the lighthouse of Tip Accomplished He has been guiding the boats that arrive at the **Barlovento coast, in La Palma, for no less than 152 years. **
No one would say that its interior houses a luxury boutique hotel with three suites from which to contemplate the Atlantic Ocean in all its splendor.
And precisely that is the charm of this accommodation. The intimacy, the mystery, hiding the best inside.
Lighthouse keeper for a day?
THREE SUITES WITH VIEWS TO THE ATLANTIC
“Punta Accomplished is the oldest lighthouse in Spain and still retains its nautical functions so it is one of the few lighthouses in the world that is still active and that also welcomes guests”, he says Tim Wittenbecher of the Floatel team , company responsible for the project, to Traveler.es
A traditional Canarian patio gives way to the three suites of Punta Cumplida: the Atlantic suite and the La Palma suite –with capacity to accommodate two guests– and the lighthouse suite , which can accommodate up to four people.
“The Farero suite has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a wonderful living room with a fireplace, direct access to terrace and sea views from the bed itself ”, tells Tim to Traveler.es
Regarding the decoration, “guests should be able to experience the history of the lighthouse, but at the same time enjoy a modern and clear maritime design, so our goal is to provide as much comfort as possible in an environment where neutral tones and nautical style reign”, says Tim.
The whole and nothing
DISCONNECT AND RECONNECT
The hotel also has a large terrace with an infinity pool, a five thousand square meter garden and a space to practice yoga –Although perhaps the private terrace of each room hypnotizes you too much to leave there–.
The most impressive experience is undoubtedly that of contemplate the horizon from the 34-meter viewpoint high which is accessed by climbing the 158 stairs that lead to the terrace, just below the lighthouse lantern.
“Seeing the gigantic waves of the Atlantic crash against the cliffs is like meditating. Everyone who goes up there loses track of time and reality while looking at the ocean,” says Tim.
An infinity pool with the Atlantic at your feet
TOC, TOC: “BREAKFAST TIME”
Every morning, guests receive a basket prepared by Pili, the housekeeper of Punta Cumplida; although the most cooks may prefer to prepare it themselves with typical products of the area following the recipe and using the ingredients from the refrigerator. In addition, near the lighthouse there are several restaurants where you can try the local cuisine.
THE FARERA FAMILY
Pili is the lady of the house, or as Tim calls her, “the pearl of the lighthouse”. She is in charge of preparing the breakfast baskets, the fresh coffee and she knows everything about Punta Cumplida. “Noehmi, for her part, is the local tour guide, she welcomes the guests, and takes care of the excursions to the wonderful places of interest on La Palma”, Tim tells Traveler.es
Finally, it should also be mentioned Nelson's work: “He and his technical team were deeply involved in the build process and are now those responsible for the maintenance of the large garden, the swimming pool and everything that may suffer under extreme sun, salt water, wind and other factors that pertain to a house so close to the sea”, he concludes.
A traditional Canarian patio welcomes us in Punta Cumplida
FROM LIGHTHOUSE TO LIGHTHOUSE
“At Floatel we are specialized in romantic places hidden in special places. They're not all lighthouses, but they're all unique,” Tim tells us.
They currently have five lighthouses converted (or in the process of being converted) into hotels: I mperatore in Naples, Espigon in Venice, San Domino on the island of Termini (Puglia), Trafalgar in Cádiz and Cudillero in Asturias.
“The first guests of the Punta Cumplida lighthouse were a 50-year-old couple from Nürnberg who had already stayed at our lighthouse on Usedom on the Baltic Sea and decided to spend a week at the one on La Palma”, says Tim.
“At the same time, the great Farero suite was reserved by a family from the German city of Leipzig and the third suite was rented by a Swiss couple who came to La Palma for the fifth time. They were totally amazed that it is possible to stay in such a wonderful place”, concludes Tim.
A suite with a view
LA PALMA, A PARADISE TO DISCOVER
La Palma, known as the Isla Bonita or Isla Verde , is a haven of tranquility in the middle of the sea. In it, volcanic landscapes coexist with beautiful natural pools and mountainous areas where to connect with nature and forget about everything else.
Barlovento, the town where the lighthouse is located, is one hour from the airport, and is the ideal hub for exploring the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, the Talavera port and the natural pools of La Fajana.
you can also visit the old lighthouse lamp , restored by the old lighthouse keeper born in the town.
the green island
Accomplished tip is the first lighthouse in the Canary Islands and the second in Spain to house a hotel –the first is in Galicia– but the project is expected to prosper.
“The ** Punta Cumplida ** project dates back to an initiative by Ana Pastor, with whom the idea of opening the 187 Spanish lighthouses to tourism under the name of 'Lighthouses of Spain' five years ago,” says Tim.
Do you want to be a lighthouse keeper for a day –or many–? Head to La Palma!