An intimate estate home with 9 sustainable luxury rooms and suites
The hotel
The luxury of a hotel in a family home
For its first hotel abroad, Edmond de Rothschild Heritage is bringing all the values it holds dear together under one roof: the soul of a family home, artistry and authenticity.
With just nine rooms and suites, a French-Basque restaurant a terraced garden and swimming facilities, the Palacio de Samaniego is a secret oasis. Every stay here is an experience like no other, with artwork dotted throughout highlighting the contrast between the age-old stone and modern interior design. There’s no reception here: just small, sophisticated sitting areas that echo the special kind of conviviality found in private homes. At the far end of the garden, a second terrace offers guests an irresistible spot to enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine in the calm of the evening.
A tribute to a region full of character
Designed by LVG Arquitecture and Vila Studio, the interior space minimises the building’s ecological impact by using raw materials and natural fibres wherever possible, and finding the right balance between welcoming minimalism and cosy comfort. Wood, leather and neutral tones of cream and ochre reflect the surrounding landscapes. Behind a display case housing a spectacular vase collection, the dining room offers a bold contrast between contemporary paper and aluminium artwork, and the recycled wooden patchwork of the tables created by artist Mathisse Dalstein.
Consciously sustainable
Reducing the environmental footprint of this exclusive hotel’s operations is a keen focus here, with an emphasis on using local materials and facilities. The sustainable aspect of the Palacio de Samaniego has been a key part of the project specifications from the start. Edmond de Rothschild Heritage is conscious of sustainable economy issues, and so was eager to ensure the premises were environmentally-friendly, with thermal insulation in the walls and roof, LED bulbs in all the lights, a geothermal system used for the water circuit (garden, kitchen, bathroom) and building air conditioning, and solar panels providing electricity to power the premises. Soon, there’ll also be a kitchen garden set up to supply the restaurant with everything it needs.
The right balance between welcoming minimalism and cosy comfort.
A story of love at first sight
Originally a religious building before passing into the hands of the state and then becoming a hotel, the Palacio de Samaniego is listed as a historical monument, and had lost nothing of its charm when Ariane de Rothschild came across it in 2016. With a history dating back hundreds of years and the winemaking traditions ingrained in the region, everything clicked into place and it was love at first sight, fuelled by a keen desire to bind the place to its roots in the land and open it up to the people who live here. After a year and a half of work - through which the building retained every ounce of its allure - the Palacio de Samaniego is now a point of pride for locals, and one of La Rioja Alavesa's “signature” attractions.
A home with soul
Ariane de Rothschild sees her homes as more than hotels: to her, they are living spaces through which she loves to scatter family items, allusions, and works of art. These are what make the difference between a simple hotel and a “family home”. Ariane is fascinated by vases, and has a spectacular collection on display at the Palacio de Samaniego, featuring a range of different styles and eras. Many are ceramic, or Murano glass with its trademark bright colours, offering a nod to the warmth and passion that run through La Rioja Alavesa’s veins. The dream-inducing rooms, meanwhile, reflect her well-travelled childhood with artwork from Indonesia and the Amazon, including a number of ethnic headdresses and jewellery.