A guest article by Nick Ball, author of the Lanzarote Guidebook website.
The dramatic volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote have enjoyed a starring role in many a motion picture. Most recently the latest film release, Broken Embraces, from the Spanish director, Pedro Almodovar, which stars Penelope Cruz. It was shot on location in and around the island’s famous Fire Mountains, which were forged by enormous eruptions in the 1730s.
Over the years Lanzarote has also welcomed a whole host of VIP visitors, including famous actors such as Peter Sellers and Rita Hayworth. The King of Spain also maintains his own royal residence at Las Maretas, just outside the popular resort of Costa Teguise.
Now visitors can also enjoy their very own VIP vacation on this small island located just off the coast of Morocco by booking a stay at LagOmar, the former home of the famous actor, Omar Sharif. This breathtaking and unique holiday hideaway, designed by the famous local artist, César Manrique, was built into the side of an extinct volcano.
During the late 1960s Manrique was earning international plaudits for his creation of unique visitor attractions, such as the Jameos del Agua. At Jameos del Agua, he transformed a collapsed lava tunnel into a breathtaking underground auditorium and concert venue.
His work helped to put Lanzarote on the map as the hot new holiday destination. This resulted in a slew of VIP visitors such as Omar Sharif – fresh from his lucrative starring role in the box office smash Doctor Zhivago. Sharif was so blown away by Manrique´s creations that he commissioned his own property on the spot.
Working to Manrique´s design theme – loosely based on the Arabian folktale of 1001 Nights – the house was built by local architect Jesus Soto. It features tropical gardens, pools, fountains and numerous intimate nooks and crannies.
However, Sharif, an inveterate gambler, promptly lost the property in a high stakes game of bridge and left the island in a fit of pique, never to return.
Over the years the property passed into the hands of the current owners, who transformed a section of the house into an upscale restaurant. Guest facilities have just been added and tourists can now rent a stylish apartment at this incredible property, with prices starting from £555 per week.
LagOmar – or Omar’s Lake – is located in the atmospheric little village of Nazaret which makes an ideal base for anyone interested in exploring the island and Manrique’s many creations. His former home and studio – now the César Manrique Foundation – is located just a ten minute drive away in Tahiche. The Fire Mountains, Lanzarote´s volcanic region, are a twenty minute drive.
View this and many other unique villas in Lanzarote by visiting the Lanzarote Guidebook website.
