We spent ten nights at Caseria deMozaga, covering the Christmas and New Year period 07-08. Overall, it was a positive experience - the the buildings are attractive and low-key, with some nice original details retained, and the garden area with its stark, striking plants and black 'catlitter' sand is a pleasant place to sit and read.

However there were a few significant drawbacks. Our room - Garden Room number 10 - was small for a ten night stay, and a glass door between the bedroom and bathroom made us glad we know each other very well. It was also quite chilly at night, but there was no additional heating so we had to wrap up in the extra blanket provided - not ideal.

Our shower also habitually overflowed heavily, and following the progress of the large puddle which amassed, we found a pool of stagnant water under the wardrobe, which may well have been there for several weeks and would have accounted for the room's damp smell. We alerted the owner to this problem, and though he was polite he did not seem overly concerned. Our toilet also ceased to flush during our stay and took several attempts to repair. There was no offer made to adjust our bill at the end of our stay as compensation for the nuisance.

We had been attracted by the reputation of Caseria's restaurant, but on arrival found that for most of the nights we were there, kitchen staff were reduced and only a set menu was on offer. The food offered was, in the main, pretty grim. Indifferent soups, fish which did not taste fresh, and poor cuts of meat. On the two nights we were able to eat a la carte, the difference in quality was immeasurable. I would advise anyone to check very carefully about the food on offer before committing to eat at the restaurant. If the set menu is on, give it a miss.

The staff at Caseria are very hardworking and pleasant - our waitress worked every night alone, and was run off her feet but was delightful and very helpful in recommending some great wines, and the breakfast staff were both lovely ( breakfasts are plentiful and good, and the freshly squeezed orange juice is a good start to the day).

I feel that the management at this hotel are perhaps a little complacent and need to iron out some of the detail on order to bring the standard up to where they clearly wish to have it.

Nonetheless we enjoyed our stay and would try another 'Casa Rurale' if we return to Lanzarote - which is a great destination; far better than we expected.