A stay at the 61 Room and Suite Hotel Marqués de Riscal designed by Frank Gehry has always been on my “to go” list. Having seen many images of it over the years, I expected it to be an extraordinary design along with memorable food and wine. What I didn’t expect was the exquisite taste and style of the furnishings and art which were also designed or chosen by Gehry. And then there’s the setting in almost 30 acres of vineyards in Spain’s Basque country, picture book worthy countryside. Its bodega (wine cellar) dates from the founding of the winery in 1860 along with wines of the period .The bodega tours with tasting have been named among the world’s best.

Staying at the Hotel Marques de Riscal is truly a special experience on its own or, as we did, part of a driving itinerary North of Madrid. Here’s a photo gallery of the hotel that begins to give you an idea of the specialness of the place earning it a Fabulous Friday post.

We did the driving itinerary over a week, stopping in medieval and Renaissance villages with historic hotels and inns, special sights, famed roasted lamb and vegetables grown in the region, beautiful scenery, hiking trails, and fabulous bottles of fine wine that cost what a glass costs in leading Miami restaurants.

Gehry’s design imagined a “Chateau of the 21st Century” providing a 360 degree experience around the world of wine. Pure titanium panels shimmer in the sun, its colors of  light purple/pink, amber and silver, inspired by the wines, seeming to change as the day goes on.

The Spa Vinotherapie® Caudalie Marqués de Riscal features products imbued with and inspired by the grapes and vines by French brand Caudalie that also provides bath amenities in the guest rooms. Adjacent are a heated lap pool, hammam and outdoor lounge area that abuts one of the vineyards, ideal for relaxation and reading.

Find the locker room and pool with these whimsical sculptures. Open your locker with a clever detail – a key chain that’s a real wine cork.Find contemporary art in various mediums and roots of wines that become sculpture, like this one in the pool area.

Guest rooms and suites are housed in the iconic building and in an adjacent low rise wing, both connected by a glass corridor which, like everything in the hotel, capture views of the wine country. Guest room décor is sleek and minimalist, notable for the quality and use of natural materials including fine leather,  grey green marble, rich light woods, and wools. And then,  in our room was a dramatic surprise, elegant brocade like floor length curtains that run wall to wall and pillows to match.

We loved  the famous cloud lamps, an original design by Frank Gehry, mounted on the wall as bedside lights. Also clever and practical was the idea of a window seat that not only serves as a vantage point, but also a perch to put belongings.

Contrasting with the room we stayed In with its subdued coloration are the Riscal Suite Terrace suites,  part of Gehry’s original scheme, . Walls are painted in the eye popping claret red characteristic of the hotel, offsetting the brown leather sofas from Italian firm B&B and with extensive terraces. And of course in all rooms and suites are a special guest amenity, a bottle of Marques de Riscal Reserva red wine.

Though the Hotel de Marques de Riscal  is small, there are three restaurants, Vinoteca & Bistro, Tradición 1860 serving cuisine of the region, and The Gastronomic Restaurant Marqués de Riscal awarded with one Michelin star for its new Riojan cuisine

.We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Tradicion 1860, Mr. W had a local specialty of white beans with tomato confit and pickled green peppers, and I loved my uber fresh hake with a mélange of fresh vegetables in a light broth that was a fave.

Restaurants have large terraces, so you’re never far from the vineyards and can enjoy the iconic views of the vine covered hills and snow capped mountains which keep out strong winds in the winter, creating ideal conditions for the vines.

The Herederos del Marqués de Riscal winery offers 90 minute tours and tastings  open to the public and are included free for hotel guests. The explanation which included an outstanding video, was thorough and geared to novices and vinophiles alike. Mr. W and I tasted five wines and loved each one, pairing them with the best Manchego cheese we ever had,  that tasted like an aged Parmesan, and wonderful, top of the line jamon serrano.

We were truly sorry to leave, wishing we could have stayed longer, but resolved to return and use it as a starting point to explore Asturias and other areas in the north.

Hotel  Marques de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, El Ciego, Basque country, Spain.