Surrounded by beautiful gardens, Helguera Palacio Boutique & Antique is now a cosy house hotel in a delightful Rococo style where guests can acquire antiques, take a dip in the heated swimming pool or enjoy a fantastic gastronomic in the heart of the Pasiego Valleys, the bucolic treasure of the Cantabria region in Northern Spain.
It’s that time of year – escaping to a roaring fire deep in the countryside should be top of your 2023 mini-break wishlist. Head to the North to escape the sweltering heat of Southern Spain and you’ll find endless coastline, rich culture and excellent food. In the heart of Cantabria, the Pasiegos Valleys, are some of the most spectacular places to visit. Montains, trails, rivers, charming cabins and a great environmental weatlh. This, together with the Pasiega culture and their peculiar way of life, make them a unique destination. Are you ready? Pack your suitecase!
The Cantabrian countryside is the setting for Helguera Palacio Boutique & Antique, member of Relais & Chateaux, a 17th century palace which has now become an adults-only hotel. The property is ideally situated in the town of Las Presillas for exploring the best of Cantabria’s natural and urban charms, such as Viesgo Bridge, Torrelavega, Santillana del Mar, Santander, Cabárceno, Cuevas de Monte Castillo and the famous Altamira cave. Here, you’ll find charm by the engraved silver bucket and atmosphere in abundance.
History buff, the interior designer and owner has given the property a unique soul. Some of the carefully sourced antiques on display are available for sale. A curious fact is that Helguera Palacio has an online antique shop where you can buy any piece of the hotel that has caught your eye.
Inspired by a historical figure from Spanish or English nobility, the rooms and suites all offer a breathtaking view of the Pasiegos valleys, the bucolic treasure of the Santander region. Its meadows lined with low stone walls invite you to take time and simply contemplate, unless you’d rather cycle through them. With its majestic fireplace and partially covered swimming pool, the wellness area, which is entirely open to the landscape, will make you forget all about time.
Though it’s the spectacular setting that grabs your attention, interiors are attractive too, done up in a palace-modern style with cheerful pops of colour and sloping, wood-beamed ceilings. Malales Martínez Canut, owner, is also responsible for the interior design of the 5-star hotel. Together with her husband, José Antonio Revuelta, the interior designer restored the 17th century palace in only 9 months, maintaining the history of the place, but highlighting the current protagonists of Helguera: uniqueness and luxury. Now the palace is the ideal place to enjoy the gastronomy of Cantabria with its own journey, a relaxing spa and dreamy gardens.
Malales focused on the history of the palace to decorate the space, which she strove to maintain. Built by the Count of Santa Ana de las Torres amidst 8 hectares of nature, the palace still boasts a stone façade filled with climbing vines.
ROOMS
There are just 11 lively rooms to choose from. The spacious country-chic rooms have lots of comfortable seating and enjoy the beautiful views of the valley below. One of the (many) joys here is that you are surprised every turn. Rooms are all beautiful, with bespoke minibars, exceptional artwork and many charming, spoiling touches, open fires, hand-painted wallpaper and a plethora of toiletries. The decor is exactly as you would expect: lavish, comfortable and full of vintage finds with the right amount of modern touches. Floral wallpapers ensure rooms bloom year-round, larger suites with cornicing and antiques are swept in blush pinks, duck egg blues and slates, dressed with frilled cushions, and rounded off with marble bathrooms, dominated by bathtubs with rose-infused bath salts.
RELAX IN THE SPA!
One of the most popular outdoor spaces at the Helguera is its swimming pool, which blends perfectly with the surrounding mountains and offers guests the most relaxing and comforting moments of their stay. In addition, although it has an indoor pool and spa, if you are staying in winter, you can also enjoy a swim in the outdoor infinity pool with views of the Pasiego valleys, as it is heated.
A FOODIE DESTINATION
Your taste buds will also travel with the creative cuisine of Palacio La Helguera’s chef, Renzo Orbegoso Hinojosa, who favours fresh, seasonal and local produce at Trastámara restaurant.
The restaurant is located in the only new building in the complex. Inside, a Cantabrian cuisine begins to shine, which is not intimidated by the presence of raw materials from outside the territory and in which a delicate natural fusion with chillies, ginger and soya beans can also be perceived. Dishes aspire to greatness, with incredible products like Beluga caviar, anchovies with tomato tartard and roasted peppers from Isla, verdinas vean stew with squid, fresh fish (must-try the Cantabrico monkfish Meuniere or Mountain cod style) or the delicious local lamb.
Breakfast is outstanding. The best way to do it is to enjoy a late, leisurely breakfast al fresco, which tides you over until dinner. A waiter parades out an early morning tasting menu: freshly cut fruit; cool, thick yogurt; Spanish ham and tomato; sourdough breads; and eggs en cocotte with a potato-truffle foam; finished off by a generous basket of baked goods.
Photography: Helguera Palacio Boutique & Antique
