This property is home to a chapel, a cistern, and a threshing floor. Not many hotel establishments in Tenerife and the Canary Islands can boast of possessing elements of ethnographic and religious significance. These attractions can be found within the premises of the first landmark hotel in La Victoria de Acentejo, situated in the San Juan neighbourhood at the heart of the urban area.
An 18th-century building, designated as a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC), spans 500 square meters divided into two floors connected by a central corridor. The rooms on both sides and outdoor spaces like patios, gardens, and rooftop terraces offer breathtaking views of Acentejo’s surroundings and parts of the La Orotava Valley, particularly Puerto de la Cruz.
The chapel was constructed later, and its structure remained unaltered over the years. The roof and cover, entirely crafted from tea wood, displayed no significant moisture or pathologies necessitating intervention. This segment is remarkably well-preserved and will be left untouched.
Initially, the chapel served as the neighbourhood’s place of worship. While masses were conducted there, the location was deemed too compact for religious ceremonies, leading to the establishment of a parish hall across the square. This modern basement can accommodate approximately 100 individuals.
Throughout its history, the property changed hands numerous times. However, the most notable owner was Nicolás de Calzadilla, a local resident and dean of the Holy Cathedral Church of the Canary Islands. Hence, the building is now known as ‘Dean Calzadilla’s house’, purchased by his parents, Antonio González Calzadilla and Catalina Grimaldi Valcárcel Benítez de Lugo.
Successive heirs of the family allowed the property to fall into partial neglect, resulting in various modifications, an interior layout divided into chaotically arranged modules, and the complete disappearance of the threshing floor.
In 2008, the final occupant vacated the premises. Subsequently, the City Council decided to acquire the property to halt its deterioration and transform it into a landmark hotel—the first of its kind in La Victoria, as the locality previously lacked accommodation facilities.
The chapel’s structure has remained unchanged through the years. Fran Pallero
The property comprises two interconnected modules by a central corridor. Fran Pallero
The house retains all traditional Canarian architectural elements of the era, including the area for storing food to maintain its coolness. / Fran Pallero
Exterior entrance view of the chapel attached to the mansion. Photo by Fran Pallero
The journey towards this goal was challenging, taking longer than anticipated and involving a substantial cost increase, amounting to over one million euros.
In 2010, an architectural firm was assigned the task of the renovation project, which kickstarted through an Employment Workshop initiative supported by the City Council and funded by the Canary Islands Employment Service. Subsequently, in 2012, a second intervention was carried out with a two-year Workshop School program.
However, by 2014, the renovation work remained incomplete, with no further actions taken on the site, as stated by the Heritage Councilor, Kevin Moscoso Hernández.
Following appeals for financial aid made to various authorities including the central and regional governments, and the Cabildo of Tenerife, the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands sanctioned the necessary budget to conclude the renovation work.
In December of the previous year, a modification to the project was sanctioned due to the absence of essential facilities like sanitation, plumbing, and electrical systems, which have all been entirely revamped. These services are crucial for enabling the property to serve its intended purpose.
This newspaper, alongside the aforementioned councilor and the construction supervisor, recently visited the building to assess first-hand the advancements made in transforming it into a captivating hotel establishment. Divided into two interconnected modules of great allure, the hotel will boast eleven rooms, each equipped with a private bathroom, including one adapted for individuals with disabilities. Upon entering, on the right-hand side, are the sacristy leading to the chapel and the forthcoming reception area.
The upper floor of the northern wing conserves the original wooden beams and most of the carpentry from the era of the house, which has been meticulously restored, except for a few severely damaged pieces. This space will feature a lounge area, providing a retreat for guests to relish the tranquility, nature, and surroundings. Towards the rear, there is the kitchen alongside a dedicated dining room, and at the far end of the plot are the redesigned garden areas where the previously existing threshing area is being reinstated.
Over fifteen years later, the inception of the first iconic hotel is no longer a mere vision but a steadily approaching reality, as the company tasked with the completion of the works is set to finalise them by the end of June or early July.
Regarding the official opening, the Heritage Councilor is hesitant to provide a specific timeline, as there are significant milestones yet to reach, such as determining the management model for the property to ensure profitability and contribute to the prosperity of the municipality.
The mayor, Juan Antonio García Abreu, always envisioned promoting the municipality once lodging facilities were available to tourists, enabling them to explore the enchanting surroundings La Victoria has to offer, including its vineyards, chestnut forests, and vibrant gastronomy dominated by traditional eateries known as guachinches.
“An establishment of this nature, situated in an urban setting and preserving authentic Canarian architecture, serves as a draw for a particular type of tourist who seeks to immerse themselves in the daily life of the locals and absorb their culture and traditions,” highlights Kevin Moscoso.
This venture will undoubtedly foster the growth of this northern town on the island, while serving as a historical site where visitors can experience the rich heritage of the region.
A Showcase of Traditional Canarian Architecture
The property retains all the features of traditional Canarian architecture of its time, including a designated area for preserving food to keep it cool and well-preserved. These were designed to allow air circulation and thus had openings to the outside. Additionally, there is a threshing floor, a space that had faded over time but will be reinstated with the relaunch of the hotel, as well as a cistern. The construction of the mansion corresponds to the period of La Victoria’s population growth, fuelled by the economic boom and agricultural exports.
