Guest Blog: Jet Setting in the Lanzarote

Guest Blog: Jet Setting in the Lanzarote
Lanzagrotty? You must be kidding. Whilst Lanzarote, a small speck of Spain, located off the coast of west Africa, has a reputation as little more than a package holiday destination in the UK it’s regarded as the coolest of the Canary Islands by continental Europeans. Thanks to the work of a famous local artist and architect called Cesar Manrique. Whose incredible creations have enduring appeal for anyone with a penchant for 70´s chic and the jet set life.

Nick Ball has lived on Lanzarote for eight years and is the editor of Lanzarote Guidebook – the in-depth island information guide which you can download for free online. Today he’s letting the JSL viewers in on the secrets of the Canary Islands.

Lanzagrotty?  You must be kidding.  Whilst Lanzarote, a small speck of Spain, located off the coast of west Africa, has a reputation as little more than a package holiday destination in the UK it’s regarded as the coolest of the Canary Islands by continental Europeans.  Thanks to the work of a famous local artist and architect called Cesar Manrique.  Whose incredible creations have enduring appeal for anyone with a penchant for 70´s chic and the jet set life.

Lanzarote is in fact a surprisingly cosmopolitan island – home to a kaleidoscope of nationalities – all lured by a climate that delivers jet set temperatures – and a lifestyle to match – even in the depths of winter.  Little wonder that the Spanish king maintains a residence here too.

Many are in fact fully paid up members of Lanzarote´s wet set.  Comprising everyone from year round surf bums living here solely to catch the waves that have earned the island the epithet of Europe’s Hawaii.  Through to the millionaires basking on their expensive yachts in one of Lanzarote´s luxury marinas.  Such as Puerto Calero – recent home of the Volvo Ericksson ocean going race team and widely regarded as one of the best facilities of its kind in the whole of Spain.

The island was in fact first designed as a classic jet set destination back in the 1960´s.  With Manrique at the helm of a plan to create a totally new type of holiday experience.  By fusing the islands breathtaking volcanic scenery with his own artistic aesthetic to create luxurious restaurants, nightclubs and concert venues.

The best known expression of this philosophy is the Jameos del Agua in the north of Lanzarote.  Where the artist transformed what had been a 6km long collapsed lava tunnel into an underground auditorium and concert hall, replete with a supremely cool pool reserved for the sole use of the King of Spain.

Manrique´s creation immediately garnered architectural plaudits and filled the pages of international magazines.  Attracting a whole host of 70´s jetsetters to this exciting new holiday destination.

When the Hollywood legend Rita Heyworth visited she was so moved by this feat of engineering that she described the Jameos as The Eighth Wonder of the World.   Whilst elsewhere Manrique created a home and studio out of five bubbles in the lava flow.  Which blew the actor Omar Sharif away to such an extent that he commissioned Manrique to create a similar holiday home for him nearby.

The result is LagOmar – Omars Lake.  An incredible estate fit for a star that has been built into the side of a volcano, bursting with beautiful tropical gardens, pools and fountains and lots of secret little hideaways.

Sharif, ever the gambler, staked the lot in a high stakes game of bridge soon after taking possession – and lost the place.  Leaving the island in a fit of pique, never to return.

Today however LagOmar is home to one of Lanzarote´s most upmarket restaurants – as well as the excellent Bar La Cueva.  Where visitors can party late into the night in the grounds of the film stars former home to a choice selection of chilled house and trance.  All for the price of a drink.

Thanks to Manrique – and the islands unique volcanic scenery – Lanzarote was declared a UNESCO protected biosphere in 1993 – making it the first island in the world to enjoy such status.

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