Amalurra Ecohotel & Retreat Center

The rooms could use air conditioning, and the beds felt a bit small. Still, it’s a hostel-style hotel in a really peaceful spot, with absolutely beautiful landscapes and great staff.

I had the best two weeks here as a volunteer. The community’s a lovely place, and the people I met who live and work there made every encounter feel warm and joyful. Many of the younger people speak English well, and a few others do too, so even with my very basic Spanish I could still have nice conversations. Since Basque is the main language for many people, I was grateful to have someone nearby translating for me. 😀 I had my own room in a shared apartment with three lovely guys who work regular jobs outside the community. When the weather was bad, it was easy to find a quiet spot indoors. Outside, there are lots of peaceful green spaces for reading or spiritual practice. I loved sitting beneath the big trees, doing yoga and meditation, and listening to the birds. There’s also a sweat lodge, a tipi, big gardens to explore, and a large pool. My volunteer work was 25 hours a week with two days off, which felt like a good deal. I spent a lot of time cutting bushes, trimming tall grass, and helping the tomatoes grow. I also helped a community member prepare things for events, filled a trench with gravel, and built a wooden firewood shed. The work was well organized, though the property is so large that using equipment like a weed eater, chainsaw, lawnmower, hedge trimmers, and cutters is part of it. Saturdays were community days. We started with a circle to set an intention, then worked on projects around the property together. It was a lot of fun. We had lunch outside as a group and ended the day back in the circle, sometimes dancing or singing. On the Friday I arrived, there was a small live music event with a great vibe. 🤩 I’m really thankful for the experience and for the chance to learn about Basque culture and community life. I’d recommend it to an independent, emotionally mature person who’s open-minded and open-hearted. After traveling around the whole country, I was happy to see a different side of Spain.

The food was beautiful and delicious, and I loved the dried flowers in the restaurant, the essential oils, and the herbal teas. The wellness offerings and massages were lovely too. Maria was a darling at the restaurant, and people in general were very nice. On my first visit yesterday, I was struck by the beautiful land, tipi, round building, flowers, plants, trees, and fruit trees. There are so many possibilities to make this a paradise on earth. I did have some suggestions based on what I noticed. My idea of eco living may be different from most people’s, but the restaurant’s lovely pictures and natural setting didn’t quite match the white tablecloths and luxury white chairs for me. I’d prefer warmer lighting, wood, and a cozier, more at-home feel, and mosaic tables and chairs in the cafe could make it feel more like an art piece. When someone asked for a takeaway box, I was surprised it came in ordinary plastic bags and a styrofoam container. Recycled paper bags and containers, including for the herbal teas in the cafe, could help reduce plastic waste. I noticed the pest-repellent sonar. I understand many people see it as a better option than poison, but I felt something in my body and wondered what it was before seeing the device. If my body reacts, I wonder what it might do to the cells of butterflies and flies. For a holistic approach that recognizes every being’s right to be there, animal telepathic communication would feel like a more honoring option. I was also surprised the lawns were mowed so short. If the place is meant as a haven for all beings, not just humans, I’d mow only the paths and let the rest grow with flowers and herbs that the earth knows to provide for people. Wild flowers and fresh herbal teas, along with fruit smoothies, could then be used in the restaurants and cafes. These are suggestions for making the place even better and more aligned, for me, with holistic living for every human, plant, animal, soil microbe, and mineral. The herbal garden and vegetable garden could use some TLC.

We’ve held three retreats at Amalurra, and the staff have always welcomed us with open arms and given us superb service. People love the delicious food and the surrounding nature, with walks around the vast grounds and the stunning Ekizuri Hall.