Design, Wine, and Wellness

WHAT IT IS?

If you are reading this blog, it is likely because the extravagance of this hotel caught your eye, and I truly understand why. It is impossible not to be amazed by the architecture of this unique and unusual hotel and yet, its architectural design is only part of what makes it extraordinary, and the architectural design is only a partial thing of this hotel.

This hotel has a remarkable history that began in 1858 with the construction of a wine cellar, where the Marqués de Riscal stored his valuable wine collection. This vineyard is one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in Spain. It is located in Elciego, in the Rioja Alavesa region of Spain, on the estate of Bodegas Marqués de Riscal, nestled between vineyards and the medieval village.

This uniquely themed hotel presents art, wellness, culture, and high-end gastronomy in ways that evoke a sense of discovery and luxury, within a well-planned project that makes you feel as if you were inside a contemporary abstract painting.

For the creation of the hotel, the winery envisioned an ultramodern building designed to evoke powerful emotions. To bring this vision to life, they chose renowned architect Frank O. Gehry. With a glass of wine from the architect’s birth year, 1929 the team presented their ideas for the project. Gehry was captivated by the challenge of designing a hotel at the very heart of a winery an endeavor he had never undertaken before. The result was an incredible design that situated right in the center of the vineyard, allowing the experience to be both creative and memorable.

WHY IT´S COOL

In this case, the experience is something to be shared, it not only offers great design, wine tasting services, luxury, views, and the unique feeling of being in a vineyard, and not any vineyard, one of the oldest, located in one of the most prolific wine-producing regions, La Rioja Alavesa, following the wine production from the vid to the bottle.

It also has a unique spa, imagine yourself with a loved one, enjoying a glass of wine, relaxing in a hot tub, gazing out over the vineyards. After you can enjoy a wine therapy in this unique place, where the spacious treatment rooms, lined with cedar and teak, offer serene and seductive environments for their signature treatments or even a relaxing soak in a wine barrel bath. Truly unique.

It also has its own restaurants, offering four different dining experiences from bistro and wine to a signature restaurant by Francis Paniego, the food and beverage options match the property’s capabilities and reinforce its overall value proposition.

If you ever find yourself in Elciego, the dining scene at the Hotel Marqués de Riscal is reason enough to linger a little longer. The signature Marqués de Riscal Gastronomic Restaurant elevates fine dining with creativity and flair, while 1860 Tradición offers comfort dishes reimagined with a modern twist, each plate framed by sweeping views of the Sierra de Cantabria. For something more casual, the Vinoteca & Bistro invites you to savor the estate’s celebrated wines paired with light bites, and The Library Lounge, perched high above the vineyards, provides a stylish spot to unwind with coffee, a cocktail, or a glass of Rioja.

WHY IT HAS FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?

But beyond its striking architecture, history, spa, and gastronomy, what makes the Hotel Marqués de Riscal truly stand out is how it blends tradition with modernity in a way that feels timeless. It is not just a place to stay, but an immersive journey into the culture of wine, art, and design. Each corner seems to invite reflection, creativity, and indulgence whether you are walking through the vineyards, admiring Gehry’s metallic curves, or simply savoring a glass of Reserva at sunset. This is more than a hotel; it is a living landmark that has already become an icon for La Rioja Alavesa.

And this is precisely why it has future growth potential: because it doesn’t rely solely on its architecture or reputation, but on an ever-evolving concept of experience. As wine tourism continues to expand globally, destinations that offer authentic, holistic, and luxurious encounters with culture and terroir will thrive. The Hotel Marqués de Riscal embodies that future, positioning itself not only as a place to visit, but as a destination to remember and return to.

References:

https://www.marquesderiscal.com/ciudad-del-vino/hotel-marques-de-riscal

https://turismodevino.com/blog/historia-del-hotel-marques-de-riscal/

https://www.marriott.com/es/hotels/biolc-hotel-marques-de-riscal-a-luxury-collection-hotel-elciego/overview