Architect Frank Gehry’s intention for Hotel Marqués de Riscal was to create a 21st century château for the Rioja region, and its striking design is eminently successful. Colourful metallic canopies glisten in a cascade that brings to mind the red wines for which this area in northern Spain is so well known; ceilings soar above utterly contemporary interiors; and bedrooms feature curved wood walls with floor-to-ceiling views of the vineyards and medieval town of Elciego below.
Wine is, of course, at the heart of everything here. The spa specialises in vinotherapy and two restaurants showcase superb local specialities (one with Michelin-starred 14 and 21-course tasting menus), while the hotel’s winery was the region’s first cellar, built in 1858. It holds eight million bottles, some nearly as well aged as the winery itself. An oenophile’s paradise, with peerless credentials.
