You have to handwrite a letter before checking in: The mysterious cliffside retreat El Elevador in Spain
Would you want to spend a night there?
At a time when booking a stay takes just a few clicks, one guesthouse insists that reservations can only be made by letter. Tucked away on El Hierro in Spain’s Canary Islands, El Elevador sits on the edge of a volcanic cliff, surrounded by views of the Atlantic and untamed landscape. To stay here, you’ll first need to pick up a pen and write a letter by hand.
From a 1960s pumping station to a secluded cliffside retreat
Images from ig /@el_Elevador
El Elevador was originally a pumping station built in the 1960s. Architect Alejandro Beautell restored the roughly 60-square-meter building, retaining its industrial character while using exposed concrete, custom steel furniture, and details by local artisans to create a simple, rugged space.
Before checking in, you must first mail a handwritten letter
Images from ig /@el_Elevador
What makes El Elevador most distinctive is its booking process. There are no online reservations, instant confirmations, or automated systems. Guests who want to stay must write a letter by hand explaining “why they want to come here.” Each letter is personally read, followed by a handwritten reply with booking details.
No Wi-Fi, only the Atlantic and volcanic cliffs
Images from ig /@el_Elevador
Once you arrive, the experience pulls you even further away from the connected routines of everyday life. There is no Wi-Fi, TV, or even cell service here. In their place are the Atlantic, volcanic cliffs, natural light that changes over time, and rare silence. In an age that demands speed and immediacy, El Elevador takes the opposite approach, beginning with a handwritten letter and inviting travelers to slow down and reconnect with this land.
Join Popbee Circle and subscribe to the Popbee newsletter for the latest updates, and get early access to exclusive perks and discounts. Beyond this article, here are a few recent stories worth checking out:
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