The oldest lighthouse on La Palma, dating back over 150 years, has been transformed from a ruin into a luxury hotel. Known as Faro Punta Cumplida, this working lighthouse now houses a secretive retreat operated by Floatel.
A Hidden Gem on the 'Beautiful Island'
La Palma, often called the 'beautiful island', boasts volcanic coastlines, mountains, and forests. Amidst this natural beauty lies Faro Punta Cumplida, a historic beacon that now offers an exclusive escape. The hotel features in Channel 4's World's Most Secret Hotels, airing this Saturday.
Owner Tim Wittenbecher told the Daily Mail: 'La Palma is our first Spanish lighthouse that we turned into a hideaway. It is my favourite thing to explore new lighthouses.' He added: 'It's very unusual that a lighthouse is also a hotel. It's a secret. Everybody who sees the lighthouse would not imagine that there is a hotel behind it.'
Passion Project
Tim and his wife Heike run the lighthouse hotel in the Canary Islands. This is not their first such project; they have seven similar establishments across Spain, Italy, and Germany, all converted from lighthouses, water towers, or harbour cranes. Tim shared: 'Almost 18 years ago we built and converted the first lighthouse into a hideaway in Germany. We took an old building that would be lost and gave it this use.'
When they found Faro Punta Cumplida, it was in ruin. 'The patio was torn away by a typhoon. All the windows were closed with metal shutters and all the beautiful details were fading away,' Tim recalled. He secured a 50-year lease from the Spanish government in 2016 and spent three years restoring the building.
Exclusive Suites and Unique Features
The hotel comprises just three exclusive suites in the former lighthouse keeper's house. Each suite includes a kitchen, dining room, and one or two bedrooms. A shared staircase leads to a private viewing deck atop the lighthouse, offering 360-degree ocean views. One of the biggest attractions is the infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic.
Tim explained: 'The thing that guests like the most is to walk up the tower and be at the light. That is so unique. To go up there at night and have it like a crown above you, seeing this light from the position where it comes from, is absolutely unique.' He added: 'Above that is the feeling of being in a bubble, away from reality, in a magical place.'
The lighthouse remains operational, with an LED beacon that turns on at night. The redesign ensured lighthouse keepers could access the beacon as needed. Modern amenities include en suite bathrooms and a private cook for candlelit dinners. Breakfast features local ingredients like fig marmalade. Nightly stays start from €290 (£250).
Preserving History
Heike Wittenbecher, the project's architect, said: 'From the architectural side, it was quite a challenge because our intention is to still show the historical function and let the guests feel like a lighthouse keeper. We added some luxury items and tried to balance it with the historic beauty.' Guests often arrive in awe, amazed by the unique setting.
Despite occasional disruptions from volcanic eruptions or Sahara sand clouds, the hotel remains a haven for those seeking something unique. The property is one of several featured in World's Most Secret Hotels, which also includes a mountain retreat on Mount Pilatus, a Brutalist hotel in Mexico, and one of the UK's oldest coaching inns. Narrated by Julie Walters, the six-part series airs Saturdays at 8pm on Channel 4.
