Iriarte Jauregia

Gorgeous countryside hotel with huge valley views, delicious food and deeply comfortable bedrooms

The landscapes of the Basque Country come as a surprise - you could almost be in an Alpine valley here. Big hills soar, lush fields sparkle, thick forests roam across the land. The terrace at this lovely hotel is the best seat in the small town of Bidania, a 3-mile sweep across the valley. Old boys make hay in the fields below, cows graze, tractors rumble and eagles soar in the sky. There is deep peace here for those who seek it.

As for the hotel, it’s a 300-year-old mansion, strategically positioned on the side of the hill so the original owner could watch his men at work in the valley below. A beautiful renovation has kept all the lovely old bits while adding contemporary flair. You climb the hill from town, nip across the greenest lawn, then step into a vast hall. To the left is a smart bar and an attractive sitting room; to the right is a superb restaurant with doors onto a dining terrace. Upstairs, 19 super-comfy rooms come with excellent beds, fancy bathrooms and a warm, uncluttered style. If you are looking for good food and stylish interiors in blissful country, you’ll find it here.

Highs

• A perfect retreat for romance and R&R
• Walking in the surrounding countryside, then doing very little in the hotel itself
• Owner Iban and his staff, who go out of their way to look after you
• Great food in the restaurant: perhaps herby roast chicken or Iberian pork stew
• San Sebastián - a great little city on the beach - is just 25km away

Lows

• You’ll need a car to get here; this is a fairly remote location
• There’s no swimming pool, but you can nip up to the beaches on the coast
• The weather in the mountains is unpredictable - you may get a day of rain
• No lunches are served, but there are sandwiches and salads via room service, and simple restaurants in town
• No robes in the bathrooms, except in the Suite