Hotel Marqués de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Elciego

The 43 rooms of the Marques de Riscal are housed in a Frank Gehry designed extravaganza, a modernist masterpiece whose swirling wave-like roof panels stand out proudly in the vineyards and rolling hills of the oldest winery in La Rioja. Contrasted against the red-tiled roofs and traditional stone buildings of the surrounding village and wine estate, the hotel is a dramatic and memorable place to stay.

Mirroring the exterior, the rooms and suites are contemporary, with modern decor, zig-zag window seating, and design-led furniture, including ‘cloud’ lamps. Rooms are housed in either the Spa Wing or the Gehry Wing, the latter offering asymmetric floor to ceiling windows. With views over the vineyard or the medieval town of Elciego and the Sierra de Cantabria mountains, the rooms highlight the best of the hotel and its environment.

The four dining options of the hotel offer a variety of gastronomic experiences, with Michelin star dining at the Marques de Riscal Restaurant, casual open-air dining with wide-ranging views and local dishes at 1860 Tradicion, an extensive wine list at the Vinoteca and Bistro, and cocktails in the imposing surrounds of the rooftop Lounge Library.

Dating back to 1858, Marques de Riscal is the oldest winery in La Rioja and an ideal place to learn about the winemaking process. With daily tours, you’ll discover just what goes into each bottle, as guides take you from the vine to the cellar, replete with 8 million bottles of wine. For a more active pursuit, take one of the hotel’s complimentary bicycles and explore the stunning natural beauty of the surrounding hills, with a picnic on the banks of the Ebro River. Culture and history buffs are equally spoiled, with the medieval village of Laguardia just 5km away. With trekking, horse riding and ballooning also possibilities, there is much to experience beyond the vines at Marques de Riscal.