Casa Montelongo, Fuerteventura
A minimalist island retreat where contemporary architecture, Canarian heritage, and slow living converge in the heart of La Oliva.
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A masterful restoration that transforms a 19th-century family estate and theatre into one of the Canary Islands’ most intimate design retreats.
● Architect Néstor Pérez Batista’s restrained intervention beautifully balances historic character with contemporary minimalism.
● Just two suites, a shared courtyard with swimming pool, and a profound sense of calm make this one of Spain’s most compelling micro-hotels.
A Historic House Reimagined
In the quiet village of La Oliva, once the administrative heart of Fuerteventura, Casa Montelongo occupies a building deeply woven into the island’s history. Over the years, the property served not only as a family residence but also as a theatre and social gathering place for the local community. Purchased in 2020 by Raúl Ortega Santana and Francisco de Borja Juliá Blanch, the building underwent a meticulous restoration before reopening in 2024 as an adults-only retreat. Rather than transforming the property into a conventional boutique hotel, the owners embraced a far more intimate vision: a place where architecture, history, and hospitality could coexist with remarkable simplicity.
Architecture Through Restraint
Spanish architect Néstor Pérez Batista approached the project with a deep respect for both the building and its surroundings. His intervention preserves the structure’s historic essence while introducing a contemporary language defined by clarity, proportion, and light. Local materials—including stone, wood, clay, lime, and glass—form the foundation of the design. Existing architectural elements were carefully restored, while new additions remain deliberately understated. Clean lines, discreet skylights, and carefully framed openings allow the original building to remain the protagonist. The result feels neither historic nor contemporary, but timeless.
A Courtyard at the Center
At the heart of Casa Montelongo lies a tranquil courtyard organized around an eleven-metre saltwater swimming pool. The space functions as both an architectural anchor and a social heart, connecting the property’s two accommodations through a shared landscape of stone, water, sunlight, and shadow. Throughout the day, shifting light transforms the courtyard. Morning sun illuminates pale surfaces, afternoon shadows stretch across the pool, and evenings bring a stillness that reinforces the property’s meditative atmosphere. It is a space designed not for activity, but for contemplation.
Two Suites, Two Histories
Casa Montelongo consists of just two accommodations: The Old House and The Old Theatre. Each occupies a different chapter of the building’s history while sharing a common design philosophy rooted in simplicity and comfort. Both suites function more like private residences than hotel rooms, offering fully equipped kitchens, spacious living areas, dedicated bedrooms, dressing spaces, and elegant bathrooms with rain showers. Generous proportions and open-plan layouts encourage a slower rhythm of living, while large windows establish a constant dialogue with the courtyard beyond. Guests can reserve the suites individually or take over the entire property, transforming Casa Montelongo into a private island retreat.
Inspired by the Island
The interiors draw heavily from Fuerteventura’s elemental landscape. A palette of whites, sand tones, ochres, mineral pigments, and occasional blue accents reflects the island’s volcanic terrain, coastal light, and expansive skies. Natural materials remain largely untreated, allowing texture to become the defining decorative element. Smooth plaster walls, timber details, handcrafted objects, and carefully selected furnishings create spaces that feel both sophisticated and deeply grounded. Throughout the property, the emphasis remains on atmosphere rather than ornament.
Art, Light, and Shadow
Contemporary art plays a subtle but important role in the Casa Montelongo experience. Most notable is a sculptural work by Tenerife-based artist Óscar Latuag, positioned above the pool and visible throughout the courtyard. Inspired by local flora and the island’s historic pigment traditions, the sculpture transforms throughout the day as sunlight shifts across its surface. The resulting interplay of light, shadow, and form creates a constantly evolving artwork that feels inseparable from the architecture itself. Like the building, it reveals more through observation than spectacle.
A Different Pace of Hospitality
Luxury at Casa Montelongo is expressed through privacy, generosity of space, and thoughtful attention to detail. Daily breakfast is delivered directly to each suite, allowing guests to begin their mornings at their own pace. Fresh pastries, local fruit, seasonal ingredients, and island products reinforce the property’s connection to place. Beyond the hotel, the team can arrange experiences ranging from stargazing and hiking to surfing, boat excursions, cultural visits, and private wellness treatments. The approach feels highly personal yet entirely unobtrusive. Everything is designed to support the slower rhythm that defines both the property and the island itself.
An Invitation to Slow Living
Fuerteventura has long attracted travelers seeking something quieter than many Mediterranean destinations. Its volcanic landscapes, vast beaches, desert-like plains, and powerful Atlantic light create an environment that naturally encourages reflection and escape. Casa Montelongo captures that spirit with remarkable precision. By combining architectural restraint, historical sensitivity, contemporary art, and deeply personal hospitality, it offers a version of luxury defined not by abundance but by clarity. For travelers drawn to design, solitude, and meaningful connections to place, Casa Montelongo stands among the most distinctive small hotels in the Canary Islands.
