A building designed in the 1930s by a renowned architect from the period blends
its aesthetic with modernism and eclecticism. It forms part of a group of ten villas, or “hotelitos” as they were commonly called. These “hotelitos” have earned much of the neighbourhood designation as a Site of Cultural Interest, under the category of the Historic Ensemble known as the Los Hoteles district. This particular street has been dubbed the “Notting Hill of Tenerife” for its pastel-colored facades and architectural charm.
The Casa Hotelito, which served as a residence, then a kindergarden, and underwent renovations in an attempt to convert it into a hostel, is now the home of a family whose tastes and hobbies guided its refurbishment. In its previous incarnations, the house suffered alterations to both its original layout and interior finishes. To restore its domestic character, we intervened seeking a simple layout: the ground floor will be the meeting place for adults, children, dogs and vehicles, and there we prioritized the connection of the entire space, from the lobby/workshop to the interior courtyard, and allowed ourselves to dream...
The first bay of the house has been transformed to improve accessibility and functionality. New reinforced concrete and wood steps have been built, with the possibility of adding a ramp in the future, but let’s focus on the present... I’m sure it’s happened to you many times that you’re saying goodbye to family and friends at home and end up spending a good while longer... you know what I mean?
When we started the work, the house was in the middle of a renovation to convert it into a boutique hotel or hostel, which was interrupted for the sale. We found many cubicles for new bathrooms clad in marble throughout the house. We decided to reuse the marble, and with uneven pieces, we created the same terrazzo-style flooring in situ in the lobby and the back patio.
Another key objective of the renovation is to highlight the original woodwork elements that have been preserved: the wooden doors and windows on the main facade, the wooden staircase in the central bay, and the arched openings next to the staircase and their details. I think you can almost hear the steps creaking softly as you climb.
As for the finishes, natural, high-quality materials have been reintroduced: oak flooring in the living-dining room; contemporary encaustic tiles, some with a modernist touch and others entirely modern; and marble for the kitchen and bathroom countertops.
Finally, another noble “material” was introduced into the renovation: color. It manifests itself in metalwork elements such as the exterior staircase, new aluminum window frames in the interior courtyard, flooring finishes, wall coverings, and custom-designed furniture. The aim was to create a very welcoming and cheerful atmosphere through color combinations and a palette of materials that restores the house to its original character.
