Casa de Los Arquillos, Vitoria-Gasteiz

Location

Found within the Basque Country’s rolling interior, Vitoria-Gasteiz is often unfairly overlooked. In fact, it’s the region’s capital, complete with delightful pinxto bars, art galleries to rival Bilbao’s and a delightful old quarter. It’s here that you’ll find the Casa de Los Arquillos, right among the city’s concentric centre. Wander narrow streets to discover traditional restaurants, ornate churches and a pair of skyline-dominating cathedral. Turning beyond the city limits will bring you into Vitoria’s Green Belt, a series of interconnecting hiking and cycle paths that showcase the region’s delightful rural beauty.

Accommodation

Housed in a building some 200 years old, there’s plenty of charm about the Casa de Los Arquillos – it spent its last 50 years as a tailor’s shop. And, while much of the original features have been carefully preserved, there’s a certain contemporary freshness about the hotel’s eight loft rooms. Exposed timber beams look down on designer furnishings, crisp linens and whitewashed walls. They’re more apartments than rooms, however, with separate living areas, sofa beds and complete kitchens.

Dining

Given the rooms’ spacious layouts and kitchen facilities, the Casa de Los Arquillos is ideal for longer, self-catering stays. In fact, it’s the best way of slipping into life in Vitoria, picking up market-fresh ingredients and trying your hand at Spanish cooking. To help, the kitchens even come with complimentary tea and coffee along with the famous La Chinata, 100% olive oil. However, given the hotel’s central location, there’s plenty of superb restaurants on your doorstep with the pinxto tapas an unmissable highlight.

Facilities

As a historic stonewalled building, the Casa de Los Arquillos is more concerned with preserving its boutique heritage than cramming in amenities. That said, there is a common area with a computer, library and fridge, while high-speed WiFi is available throughout. You’ll also have the famous Artium Museum and its contemporary artistic masterpieces just a seven minutes’ walk away.