Hotel El Sombrerito

This place has so much history from before phones, and it’s brilliant. Put your phone away and enjoy it, and make sure you go beyond the bar area. The owner is awesome. If Instagram is all you care about, you’re missing out.

The owner was really kind and gave great service, and housekeeping was impeccable. The woman who kept our room neat was very kind too. Some of the other staff seemed disinterested, though it could have been a language barrier, which is fine. The room had decent space and storage, but its blinds are bolted shut, so it gets almost no natural light and feels gloomy. The view from the room wasn’t great. Breakfast was plain, and we came across a few spoiled eggs. It happens, but it wasn’t pleasant. An older staff member was a bit hostile, interrupting our meal to insist on the breakfast schedule when we were running slightly late, then telling us to return unopened or uneaten food to the table instead of taking it outside, even though we hadn’t finished eating. This isn’t a typical hotel experience. The location is great for hiking and visiting Teide National Park, but for anywhere else I’d strongly recommend renting a car. It’s out of the way if you’re relying only on taxis or buses.

I was back in Vilaflor from 5 March to 12 March 2025, and once again had a very good week at El Sombrerito. Ector and Mariela speak English and run a lovely hotel, bar and restaurant. Ector cooks well too. I enjoyed the fish of the day and later the entrecote, both very good and not expensive. He also prepares local dishes with goat meat, goat’s cheese and mutton. Breakfast was very good, with muesli, milk, orange juice, tea, coffee, bread, eggs and fruit, all you need. There are great walking routes around picturesque Vilaflor, including Paisaje Lunar, Las Lajas, Pino Gordo and Pino Enano. There are also beautiful churches and hermitas, and restored gardens. You should visit Teide and the caldera at 2,200 metres. You can take the bus at around 10:30 and return around 15:30, or go by taxi. Some people even cycle there, but not me. The room was fine and not too cold. At 1,500 metres it can get chilly at night, but a small electric radiator and an extra blanket were enough. When the bar is open, you can watch football or TV on its big screen and have a drink. Thanks again, and maybe we’ll meet again. Hasta la vista.

We went back the next day, then again a week later, making the trip all the way up just for their oven and the lovely owner and staff. The food is incredibly delicious and high quality. They cook the meat and other things in a special grill or oven, and I had to ask how they got it crisp outside but soft and juicy inside. It’s a family business that’s been in the family for generations. More than just dinner, it’s an experience. Great job, guys!