Spain: A landmark 19th Century property transformed in the heart of the Basque Country
The first mainland Spain property from the family behind boutique hotels Sant Francesc & Can Ferrereta.
Set in San Sebastián, the famed coastal town in the beating heart of the Basque Country, Villa Soro will open in April 2022, following a considered redesign by the Soldevila-Ferrer family and the team behind Mallorca icons Sant Francesc Hotel and Can Ferrereta Hotel. The family has transformed this aristocratic villa, built in 1898 and one of a few heritage properties in San Sebastián, into a stunning 25-room boutique hotel.
The meticulous refurbishment of the villa, originally designed by prestigious architect Luis Elizalde in the late 19th century, maintains the spirit of the period by enhancing existing heritage features, which include a grand central staircase, spacious guest rooms, a striking wood panelled bar, open fireplaces and a stained-glass window from the historic chapel. The hotel has been brought to life with chic modern design, sleek furnishings in muted tones, a variety of textured finishes, playful checkerboard bathrooms and restored antique furniture. As with the Mallorcan properties, a defining characteristic of the hotel will be its impressive collection of modern Spanish art. At Villa Soro, renowned Basque and Spanish artists will be showcased, featuring works from Iñigo Manterola, Jose Cháfer and Eduardo Chillida.
Villa Soro’s south-facing positioning means the hotel is bathed in Spanish sunshine throughout the day. The main house, comprising 15 guest rooms, feels more akin to a beautiful private residence and is home to a large guest salon complete with a roaring log-burning fire, honesty bar and library, curated by the expert team at Maison Assouline. Whilst an adjacent building, the villa’s former stables, houses a further ten rooms, some of which boast their own private garden.