Hotel Marqués de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Elciego

The rooms look out through floor to ceiling windows over vineyards and the medieval village. Waking up to those rolling green hills and old stone buildings was a treat, and breakfast on the terrace with Spanish tortilla and cafe con leche beside Gehry’s design is a morning I won’t forget. The building, by Frank Gehry, feels like a titanium spaceship set down in an incredible vineyard. Pink gold and silver metal ribbons wrap around it in a way that somehow works beautifully. Inside, the place feels world class throughout. At the Caudalie spa, wine based treatments include grape seed scrubs, barrel bath soaks, and red wine wraps. They sound ridiculous until you try them, and I walked out feeling ten years younger. I had a tasting in the estate’s centuries old cellars under the property, walking along underground corridors lined with bottles dating back to the 1800s and tasting vintages that cost more than my first car. The Michelin starred restaurant serves contemporary Basque food with wines from those cellars. Spain doesn’t get enough credit for experiences like this. People talk about France and Italy for wine country, but Rioja is quietly making some of the world’s best wine, and this hotel is its crown jewel.

Cycling into the nearby town was a highlight. We wandered its charming narrow streets, saw the church, and enjoyed the lively outdoor market. The location also made it easy to visit nearby wineries, though I wish we’d had more time for the facilities. We stayed at Marqués de Riscal for two nights and really enjoyed it. Our room was large, comfortable, and quiet, and the grounds were even more impressive in person than in photos. The staff were helpful throughout, and it was a memorable, unique stay.

The first night there was an issue with the AC, but the staff went out of their way to accommodate us. In the heart of Rioja, this hotel sits on a beautiful bodega with a rich history and has the amenities you’d expect, along with great service and personal attention. That’s what a five star experience is all about. Thank you!

We were treated like kings, and the staff were fantastic and really knowledgeable. The building is beautiful, the rooms are lovely, and it was an amazing, memorable experience. Thank you for the stay.