Escape to Paradise: Pension La Gaviota, Your La Gomera Getaway!
Escape to Paradise: Pension La Gaviota, Your La Gomera Getaway!
Ditching Reality for a Paloma on La Gomera: A Review of Pension La Gaviota
Alright, let's be real, escaping to La Gomera – "Escape to Paradise: Pension La Gaviota" – sounded idyllic. And, you know what? It mostly was. But, before you whip out your credit card, let's unravel this little slice of Canarian bliss, shall we? Consider this your honest, slightly-neurotic, and definitely opinionated guide. Buckle up, it’s gonna be a ride.
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- Title: Pension La Gaviota, La Gomera: Paradise Found (Almost!) - A Brutally Honest Review
- Description: Unfiltered review of Pension La Gaviota in La Gomera. Dive in for insider tips on accessibility, food, spa, and what to expect from your Canarian escape. From Wi-Fi woes to stunning views, we cover it all.
Accessibility (My Nemesis – And Sometimes, a Triumph!)
Okay, let's be honest. As someone who's navigated the accessibility landscape more times than I've had hot dinners (and believe me, that's a lot), I'm always wary. Pension La Gaviota attempts to cater to everyone. But, and this is a BIG but, the island itself is, shall we say, challenging. Think: Dramatic hills. Cobblestone streets. And a general "this is how it's always been, deal with it" vibe.
- Wheelchair Accessible: The hotel itself had elevators and some rooms advertised as accessible. HOWEVER… the journey to the hotel requires navigating some seriously steep inclines. I’m not gonna lie; watching a (very strong) local struggle with a wheelchair on the final approach was… concerning. Evaluate your mobility level. Call the hotel, ask tough questions about specific routes.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: They try. The rooms I saw were spacious, and they had grab bars in the bathrooms. But, the devil's in the details. Check the ramp angles, the door widths, the shower access. Don't be afraid to be demanding.
- Elevator: Yes, thankfully! Essential.
Cleanliness & Safety (Because We All Need to Feel Safe, Especially Now)
The pandemic has rightly made us all germaphobes, so let's get down to it:
- Anti-viral cleaning products: They said they used them. I didn't see them, but I'm trusting.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Seemed to be happening. I witnessed a lot of diligent wiping of surfaces… which is a good sign!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: I’m assuming, they didn't let me peek into the cleaning schedule.
- Hand sanitizer: Plentiful. Always a win.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Looked like it. Everyone wore masks (thank you, thank you!) and seemed aware of distancing.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Largely observed. Though, let's be honest, it’s easier when you're not crammed in a mega-resort.
- First aid kit/Doctor/nurse on call: Hopefully. Didn't need either thank god.
- Hygiene certification: I didn't see a certificate on display, but most of the major resorts have them.
- Cashless payment service: Fantastic for convenience.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Not that I saw.
- Individually-wrapped food options: A mixed bag, but mostly. No complaints.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: A must.
Rooms & Amenities (Where the Dreams Live… or Die)
Alright, let's get personal. My room? It was… fine.
- Wi-Fi [Free] in all rooms!: Ha! The website must have felt the need to overpromise, or maybe it was the island that was not keeping its end of the deal. I'd estimate that the Wi-Fi worked about 60% of the time. Sometimes, I could stream, other times, I was staring into the digital abyss. This is La Gomera, remember – so embrace the slower pace, and the slightly patchy connectivity.
- Internet access – wireless/LAN/Services: See above. But hey, if you need to be wired, they offered LAN. Who uses LAN anymore?! Haha.
- Air conditioning: Essential. The island is hot!
- Air conditioning in public area: also a win.
- Daily housekeeping: Thorough and friendly.
- Blackout curtains: Thank God. I need sleep.
- Bathrobes & Slippers: A nice touch.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential!
- Free bottled water: Always appreciated. Hydration is key!
- Mini bar: Present. Not overflowing with delights, but hey, it's something.
- In-room safe box: Secure your valuables.
- Desk/Laptop workspace: Yes. Although, you might be better off using the terrace and taking in the view instead.
- Hair dryer: Strong enough to battle the humidity.
- Wake-up service: Got it.
- Bathroom phone: Okay, I'm not sure why.
- Additional toilet Thank God.
- Alarm clock Yes.
- Bathtub Yes.
- Blackout curtains Thank God.
- Carpeting No, which is a good thing in my book.
- Closet. Enough space.
- Complimentary tea Always a win.
- Extra long bed Yes.
- High floor Yes.
- Interconnecting room(s) available Yes.
- Internet access – LAN Yes.
- Ironing facilities Yes.
- Laptop workspace Yes.
- Linens Nice quality.
- Mirror Yes.
- Non-smoking Yes, please.
- On-demand movies A slight perk, but not quite Netflix.
- Private bathroom Thank God.
- Reading light Yes.
- Refrigerator Yes.
- Safety/security feature Yes.
- Satellite/cable channels Yes, but don’t expect to find much interesting.
- Scale Yes.
- Seating area Yes.
- Separate shower/bathtub Yes.
- Shower Yes.
- Slippers Yes.
- Smoke detector Yes.
- Socket near the bed Yes, always a good thing.
- Sofa Yes.
- Soundproofing Pretty good.
- Telephone Yes.
- Toiletries Adequate.
- Towels Fluffy enough.
- Umbrella Essential!
- Visual alarm Yes, but I didn’t need it.
- Window that opens Yes.
Spa, Relaxation & Recreation (Time to Unwind… or Not)
This is where La Gaviota REALLY tries to sell itself.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: The pool. Oh, the pool! It. Is. Stunning. A true pool with a view! Infinity edge gazing out at the ocean. You could spend hours there. The views are worth the price of admission alone.
- Pool with view Yes
- Sauna/Spa/Spa/sauna/Steamroom They advertised them. I didn't particularly find these.
- Gym/fitness center: Basic, but functional.
- Massage: I had one. It was… good. But maybe not "life-changing."
- Body scrub/Body wrap: Available. I skipped them.
Dining, drinking, and snacking (Fueling the Adventure)
The food? Mixed bag, again. But, you know, it's La Gomera. Embrace the slower pace, and the sometimes-unpredictable cuisine.
- Restaurants: There are restaurants. The main restaurant offers a lovely view and a decent buffet breakfast (more below).
- Breakfast [buffet]: The breakfast was… adequate. Cereal, pastries, fruit, eggs. The usual suspects. But the Asian breakfast (advertised?) was NOT there.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes.
- Coffee shop: Didn’t see one.
- A la carte in restaurant: Lunch and dinner menus available.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Yes, although more simple than gourmet.
- **Western cuisine in restaurant
La Gaviota & The Island's Wild Heart (A Messy, Honest Travelogue)
Preamble (aka, Why Did I Book This?)
Right, let's be honest. I needed out. The soul-crushing beige of the office, the relentless demands of the cat, the existential dread triggered by the price of avocados… it all got to me. La Gomera, the "Forgotten Island," with its supposed hiking paradise and "tranquil" vibe sounded like the antidote. And Pension La Gaviota? Well, it had views of the Atlantic, and that was enough to seal the deal. Buckle up, sunshine, because this ain't gonna be your perfectly Instagrammed travel blog. This is the real, slightly-off-kilter deal.
Day 1: Arrival & That View! (Plus, a Near-Disaster with Luggage)
- Morning: Landed in Tenerife South. Okay, the airport was… busy. Like, Disneyland busy, but with more duty-free cigarettes and less Mickey Mouse. Found the Fred Olsen ferry to San Sebastián de La Gomera. A sea of blue, finally! Then… the panic hit. My luggage. Where was my luggage?! Turns out, it was taking a scenic detour to Lanzarote. My face? Let's just say, it resembled a deflated soufflé. Managed to borrow a spare toothbrush from a sympathetic woman with a very impressive sun hat. Crisis averted (sort of).
- Afternoon: Ferry arrived. San Sebastián is charming, but it also felt like someone turned the dial down on reality. Very sleepy. Checked into La Gaviota. Oh. My. God. The view. Seriously, the view. The balcony overlooks the harbour and the churning Atlantic. I just stood there, mouth agape, feeling… small. In a good way.
- Evening: Dinner at a tiny place called "Casa Efigenia." Ordered the Gomeran stew (potaje de berros). Delicious! But also… a lot of stew. I'm pretty sure I'm still digesting it. Strolled along the harbour, chasing the last rays of the sun. Found the perfect spot to (attempt) to watch the sunset without getting eaten by a mosquito. The sky bled pink, orange, and purple. Stunning. Just… stunning.
- Side Note: My attempt at Spanish is atrocious. "Una cerveza, por favor" seems to be the extent of my vocabulary at the moment. I feel like a five-year-old lost in a grown-up world.
Day 2: Hiking Hell (But in a Good Way?)
- Morning: Determined to embrace the hiking. Chose the Vallehermoso trail. Hiked my feet off. Seriously, my arches are screaming. The landscape is wild. The scent of pine and something earthy and ancient fills the air. It almost feels like breathing. I kept stopping to take photos, but the photos never do it justice.
- Afternoon: Got lost. Twice. Once, quite spectacularly. Ended up scrambling up a rocky outcrop, convinced I was about to tumble into a ravine. Found a tiny lizard that seemed to be mocking my predicament. Eventually, managed to stumble back onto the trail. Exhausted, sweaty, and slightly terrified, but somehow… ecstatic.
- Evening: Found a little bar in Vallehermoso. Spent an hour nursing a cold beer, watching the locals. They seemed to be judging me, but I don't care. They have very little work to do, as there is not any tourism to compare with other places. (I did ask for directions in Spanish that was not so good and I got them wrong, again).
- Quirky Observation: The island cats are masters of existential ennui. They sit perched on walls, gazing at the sea, as if contemplating the meaning of life (or just waiting for a discarded tuna sandwich).
Day 3: Volcanic Wonders & a Near-Miss with a Cliffedge (Emphasis on "Near")
- Morning: Got up early and drove to the park. Driving is an adventure on this island. The roads are narrow, winding, and have some turns, I feel like I'm playing Mario Kart, but with actual consequences. Visited the Garajonay National Park. The views were breathtaking. The fog, hanging in the ancient forests, made them so mysterious and mystical.
- Afternoon: Decided to follow a trail. Found another trail. Following the trail, I lost my way. Saw a spectacular view and went to the end of a cliff. Suddenly, I was standing about a metre away from the edge. I froze. The wind whipped at my face. The drop was, let's say, significant. I took a step back. My heart was hammering. Sat on a nearby rock, contemplating the fragility of existence, and the sheer, unadulterated stupidity of my life choices.
- Evening: Back at La Gaviota, feeling shaky but exhilarated. Sat on the balcony, watching the fishing boats bob on the water. Drank a glass of wine. The wine tasted like victory.
- Emotional Reaction: That cliff… I'm still shaken up. But I'm also grateful. Grateful for the reminder that life is precious. That beauty is all around us. And that I bloody well need to pay more attention to where I’m putting my feet.
Day 4: That Bloody Silbo Whistling & Finding My Peace
- Morning: Okay, Silbo. The whistling language. Apparently, it works. I went to a demonstration. I don't get it, but it's kind of impressive! I'm thinking about learning it, probably not.
- Afternoon: I decided to finally just be. I visited the beach. I found a quiet cove. I read my book. I watched the waves crash. No hiking. No frantic sightseeing. Just… existing. It was glorious.
- Evening: Dinner at La Gaviota’s restaurant. More fresh fish. More wine. Laughter with a couple from Germany who loved the island. The sunset was less dramatic tonight, but somehow, even more beautiful. Felt a sense of… peace.
- Messy Structure Note: Day 4 is a good place to wrap it up. Let's be honest, I'm running out of steam (and clean underwear). Plus, I've got a plane to catch tomorrow.
Day 5: Departure & Post-Trip Existentialism
- Morning: Woke up to the familiar, beautiful view. Ate breakfast at the Pension. Said goodbye to the friendly staff. The ferry ride back was uneventful. Tenerife South airport was just as chaotic as before.
- Afternoon: Back home. Back to the beige office. Back to the cat. Back to the price of avocados.
- Evening: Sitting at my desk, staring at the blinking cursor, I feel… changed. The island, with its jagged edges and raw beauty, has burrowed its way into my soul. It wasn’t a perfect trip. There were moments of frustration, fear, and near-disasters. But that's what made it real. That's what made it matter. I’m already dreaming of returning.
Final Thoughts (or, The Unedited Truth):
La Gomera isn't for everyone. It's not polished or perfect. It's wild, rugged, and sometimes, a little bit… bonkers. But it's genuine. It's honest. And it’s given me something I desperately needed: a reminder to breathe, to feel, and to embrace the messiness of life. Would I recommend La Gaviota? Absolutely. Would I recommend La Gomera? Without a doubt. Just… maybe pack more socks. And, for the love of all that is holy, watch where you're stepping!
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Escape to Paradise: Pension La Gaviota - Your La Gomera Getaway! (Frequently Messed-Up Questions)
Alright, so you're thinking about La Gaviota, eh? Thinking this little pension I stayed at is some kind of paradise? Well, buckle up, buttercup, because let me tell you… it’s *complicated*. Let's try and tackle some of your (probably) very confused questions.
1. Is it actually paradise? Like, palm trees, endless sunsets, and cocktails with tiny umbrellas paradise?
Look, let's be honest. The brochure's a *lie*. The sunsets? Glorious. Seriously, breathtaking. But you've gotta walk uphill, like, *a lot* to see the best ones. So maybe, after your third gin and tonic. Palm trees? Yeah, some. Around the town. The cocktails with tiny umbrellas? Bring. Your. Own. There's a bar. Eventually. It's paradise-adjacent. Think more 'charming and slightly ramshackle' than 'glamorously perfect'. Think, "I'll forgive the chipped paint because the view is stupidly good." And you will…because the view is stupidly good.
2. What's the vibe like? Is it a place for the young and restless, or the… slightly older and nap-loving?
Oh, it's definitely NOT a party spot. Unless you consider the sound of crashing waves at 3 AM a party. (I do, sometimes, after a few glasses of local wine). It's chill. Really. Chill. Mostly retirees, hikers, and people who've decided they’re *done* with the rat race and just want to… be. I saw a guy spend an entire afternoon reading a book in a hammock. A *whole* afternoon. And nobody bothered him. It's the kind of place where you feel guilty for bringing a laptop. And that's a good thing, mostly.
Here's the real truth: I went there wanting to be *active*. Hiking, exploring, you know, 'discover the hidden gems!' Then I saw the view from my balcony and I promptly decided to become a professional napper. It was glorious.
3. The rooms... What are they *actually* like? Are they like, prison cells, or are they, you know, liveable?
Okay, let's get this straight. They're not the Ritz. Think… functional. Clean, mostly. The beds? Firm. Very firm. Like, you could probably bounce a coin on them. The bathroom? Tiny, and you might have to develop a complex origami routine to get the toilet paper to fit on the roll. But… (and this is a big but!)… the balcony. Oh, the balcony. That view, I mentioned it already. Worth it. Totally, utterly, worth it. Plus, the walls are thick enough that you *won't* hear your neighbor snoring. (Unless they snore like a foghorn, in which case God help you.)
And, I should mention, I dropped a whole bowl of spaghetti on the floor of my room. The cleaning lady, a saint, just smiled and said "no problema," and cleaned it up. That's the spirit of the place. Imperfection accepted and embraced.
4. How's the food? I'm a fussy eater, and I need to know if I'm going to starve.
Okay, fussy eaters, listen up. The food isn't Michelin-starred. It’s simple, home-cooked stuff, and there's usually a decent variety. Fresh fish, local produce. I had some of the best papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) of my life there. Seriously. Think about that. *Wrinkled potatoes*. And the mojo sauce? Amazing.
Now, the breakfast situation... is where things get a little…interesting. The coffee? Strong. Like, kick-you-in-the-pants strong. The bread? Fresh, usually. Sometimes a bit stale. The jam? Probably homemade. The selection? Limited. But... you're looking at the ocean. You're breathing in the fresh air. You're probably not going to be *too* bothered. Just pack some emergency snacks, because you know, just in case.
5. Is there Wi-Fi? Because I need to post my perfect sunset photos IMMEDIATELY.
Oh, honey, Wi-Fi is listed, yes. *But…* it's about as reliable as a lottery win. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes you can get on the internet, but you're going to be waiting an age for a single picture to upload. It's part of the charm, I tell you! Forced digital detox. Best thing that ever happened to my social media addiction. Embrace it. Seriously, embrace the lack of Wi-Fi. You'll spend more time actually looking at the *actual* sunset.
6. Can I get around easily without a car?
Okay, here's the deal: you *could* get around without a car. The buses are a thing, they're reasonably priced, and get you to certain places. but the schedules are… Well, let's say they operate on "island time." The trails are awesome, but tough on foot. The hills around La Gaviota are… intense. It's a place where you may hike… a lot. Depending on your fitness regime. I'd recommend renting a car. It gives you more freedom. Just be prepared for a few white-knuckle moments on those winding mountain roads and to be prepared to give a very intense focus on the road.
7. What's the deal with the staff? Are they friendly? Overbearing? Or just… there?
The staff are lovely, seriously lovely. The owner is… well, he's a character. Let's put it that way. He's got a dry wit, a twinkle in his eye, and speaks about five words of English. He's a local, and he is extremely proud and helpful. They are there if you need them, and will make sure you're comfortable. They all have been working at the pension for years and know the guests, that helps a lot with comfort.
I once spent about two hours awkwardly miming to him that I needed a corkscrew. He eventually understood. It was hilarious. It's the kind of place where you feel like you're staying in someoneEscape to Paradise: Malinawon Resort, Bohol's Hidden Gem
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