This is an outstanding architectural creation set in the Marques de Riscal winery, on the outskirts of the Renaissance town of Elciego, in the heart of the Riojan wine region. The setting alone is spectacular, as it is sandwiched between this picturesque town and vineyards, which continue to the Ebro River.
The hotel was designed by the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum architect Frank Gehry, and is the only hotel he designed. Apparently when the owners of the Marques de Riscal vineyard approached Mr Gehry to try and persuade him to design the hotel, they opened a bottle of vintage Riojan wine harvested in the year of his birth in his honor, and he was impressed enough to agree.
The hotel comprises two buildings with 43 deluxe rooms and suites, two restaurants, and a spa. The main artistic and eccentric structure is built of silver, gold and purple titanium in the form of a grape vine, and the adjacent annex houses the spa, and rooms with astounding views of the main building. The two are connected with an enclosed glass walk-bridge.
We have found this to be an ideal place to be based while touring this magnificent wine region, and you can bask in the luxury at the same time.
