Taking the opportunity to smell the flowers at the adorable Casa Josephine in Sorzano, Rioja.
Rioja, a popular destination for winery visits and for many Spanish tourists, is hardly an over-inundated metropolis. It has attracted expert wine makers, artists, and architects alike, but the hotels and infrastructure have maintained a quaintness and uniqueness that adds a bit of charm. Strolling through the streets of any of the towns in the area, one is quick to notice that the region focuses on wine, family, and a deep passion for enjoying life. Their boutique hotels are no exception to this rule! They may be far and few between, but we’ve done a bit of hunting for you to make it easier to find where to stay in Rioja.
- Hotel Viura
Located in Villabuena de Álava in Rioja Alavesa, this 4-star modern hotel is a series of mismatched cubes set amongst a hill of completely rustic buildings, rising up out of the earth almost like the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland.
The view of the church from the rooftop of Hotel Viura
Flanked by a 17th century church on one side and the Sierra de Cantabria mountains on the other, Hotel Viura certainly makes an impression in the small town it calls home. The design was conceived of by Joseba and Xabier Aramburu to resemble the favelas, structures of Brazilian shanty towns.
The rooms are on the smaller size, in the fashion of most European hotels, but what they lack in square footage, they certainly make up for in comfort. The interior is as sleek and modern as the exterior and sports unique touches, such as chalkboard walls that denote the room numbers and a lone chair in the hallway of one of the floors, beckoning with a single spotlight shining down on it from above. The terrace also offers unparalleled views of the town, the church, and the surrounding mountains and is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of vino on a temperate day.
- Casa Josephine
One of the more remote out of this list, Casa Josephine is in the small town of Sorzano, about 20 min outside of Logroño, but it’s certainly the place to stay to get away from it all. This is not the choice for someone looking to go out every evening, but it certainly has enough charm to make staying in sound quite enticing. Despite the many bedrooms, the home is also quite cozy. I’d recommend it for a couples’ getaway or a group of friends interested in wine tasting and winding down.
This rustic, several story home dates back to the late 19th century and has been restored in recent years, to be everything you desire of a bohemian getaway. If you’re looking forward to soaking up sun in the large, ethereally white sun room, cooking breakfast in the adorable kitchen, or just generally padding around a lovebird flat, Casa Josephine takes the cake.
- Hotel Finca de Los Arandinos
This finca, meaning “estate,” is both a hotel and a winery with stunning views of rolling vineyards and olive trees out back. It is at once, a modern behemoth amongst the vines, and an integral piece, seeming to rise of the landscape like a giant sun-washed boulder; it’s sparse concrete walls scream of a downtown Los Angeles loft, but these walls are dotted with unbelievably bright paintings and photos by various Spanish artists.
Every room boasts a terrace and the spa is fairly impressive for such a moderately sized hotel. The hotel’s 14 rooms were all carefully crafted by either designer, David Delfín, or architect, Javier Arizcuren. Delfín’s rooms play on the use of space and are convertible in the most surprising way. Each door is a building block to create a new space, with a toilet seemingly appearing out of nowhere and a shower space you construct by moving around bits of the room. These rooms also have spectacular terrace views and incredible wall paper selections in the bathrooms (if you’re into that sort of thing).
Conversely, Arizcuren’s rooms are much more traditional and completely laid out, but equally as elegant. The walls are a soothing seafoam green and the décor is minimalist to a T, with an open floor plan and lots of natural light. These rooms have balconies as well, but they look out onto the parking lot and sport AstroTurf, which I am openly against.
This hotel epitomizes what Rioja has come to be known for: a glamorous mix of sleek, modern, and luxurious, set perfectly against the backdrop of a rustic and traditional Spain. Anyone in the region for wine tasting, amazing food, and lavish comfort, who doesn’t mind a short drive into the city, should consider this gem.
- Hotel Posada Mayor de Migueloa
Set in a medieval, walled city, called Laguardia, Hotel Posada Mayor de Migueloa is about 20 minutes outside of Logroño. This adorable, stone-front hotel is tucked along Calle Mayor in such a discreet location that you could easily miss it, gazing at the beautiful church at the end of the winding pedestrian road. The rooms inside remain true to the medieval aesthetic and while, small, they are ornate and cozy.
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the region’s history and culture and stay where time seems to stand still, look no further. This charming town boasts beautiful churches, dozens of locals who come out on their balconies to beat rugs, like something out of a black and white film, and quaint and delicious bakeries and sweet shops. Every hour on the hour, the town square clock chimes and figurines appear from a door in the top to dance around to a tune for about a minute. Even if you don’t stay in Laguardia, it is worth walking around for a half day.
- Echaurren
Located in Ezcaray, at the far western border of Rioja, Echaurren is a stunning, modern boutique hotel that is home to a two-star Michelin restaurant. This hotel is unassuming from the outside, but once you make your way into the lobby, you immediately notice a roaring fire, artfully chosen wallpaper, and mid-century modern, cloth furniture.
Upon making your way to your room, you’ll find that the majority of them face the gorgeous Parroquia de Santa María la Mayor. The rooms are typical sizing of a European hotel, but they do not lack any of the comforts of a suite, including fabulously comfy beds, adorned with Ezcaray-made colored mohair blankets. You can even enjoy breakfast on the terrace the next morning or take your coffee to go and roam Echaurren, which feels like a summer Alpine town.
- Hotel Marqués de Riscal
The Frank Gehry creation is both a hotel and a fabulous winery. Constructed in 2006, Hotel Marqués de Riscal is undoubtedly another architectural gem. The undulating purple and silver titanium that marks the entrance was designed to resemble the folds of a flamenco dancer’s skirt and the building itself helped to usher in an age of modern avant-garde architecture in an otherwise traditional region.
While the interior doesn’t quite wow as much as the exterior does, the restaurant and wine selection are incredible. The raging fire in the library and terrace views of the quaint town below also make Riscal a lovely home base for your time in the wine region. If you’re looking for modern luxury, including a sprawling spa, and a wining and dining experience, Riscal is for you.
Honorable Mention: Hotel Los Agustinos
It’s in Haro, which means it is minutes from some of the best red wine in the world and its former life as a prison, mental institution, convent, and hospital give its cloister-style lobby quite a bit of character.
Need help planning the rest of your trip to Rioja, Spain? Check out What To Do In Rioja.
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