Parador de Argómaniz

I don’t think I can say a lot more about this beautiful parador, but I will try to think of some words. I was pleasantly surprised with the parador de Argomániz. Maybe it surprised me because it was quite near me, but still it was a place that hadn’t payed attention to, a big mistake, no doubt.

Apart from the quality and level that each parador guarantees just for being a “parador”, Argomániz distinguishes itself thanks to its renovated installations that give the historical palace of the Larrea family a different and surprising touch. It’s 10 minutes away from Vitoria-Gasreiz, Agurain-Salvatierra and the foot of the Älava mountain. This parador is an authentic haven of peace.

This building occupies a renaissance palace, dominating the plain from Álava, the mountain range of Gorbea and the Ullibarri Gamboa marsh.
It used to be the house of the Larrea family, whose coat of arms is found on the façade. Napoleon came to this palace to gather strength before assaulting the city of Vitoria.

The hotel was reformed on the summer of 2009. The restaurant upstairs (where they serve breakfast) is beautiful, with a wooden beamed roof. The cafeteria is located on the house porch, with a beautiful door. The rooms are in the remodeled part of the hotel, very comfortable. The big windowed bathroom had views to the gardens.

As a parador lover, this is one of the establishments that I hadn’t visited. It was a wonderful discovery. The renovated decoration in the interior of this magnificent building is great, even though it’s not always easy to combine antiquities with innovative elements, and here they did a great job. They converted this renaissance palace into a homey and warm place where it is a delight to read a book or relax in any of its corners.

The breakfast, cleanliness and customer service and kindness are a guarantee of the paradores, and this is no exception.

I want to thank Alava Incoming, Business Association for the Advancement of Congresses and Tourism of Alava (for its hard and altruistic work in the promotion of the province) and minube.com for awarding me this prize and offering me the opportunity to enjoy this place and amazing landscapes.