A late 19th-century stone villa that looks like a miniature castle: with its tall turret, this extraordinary Hotel ( Jakarta Hotels )sits in a pretty park in this medieval ramparted hill town (the Basque name is Biasteri) surrounded by Rioja vineyards. The owner/manager/chef, Javier Acillona, a poet, spent ten years creating this gem and has even put poems in his brochure and website. The number of turn-of-the-century artefacts and design features in the building is breathtaking, says a recent visitor. Furnishings are sumptuous; even the radiators are exuberant. Bedrooms (similar to Bandung,Jakarta & Bali hotels - 5 star Hotel ( Jakarta Hotels )rooms) have names like Love and Madness, The Nightingale: each is different, with a bright colour scheme. Bathroom plumbing is modern, though some facilities are Victorian in design.

Views from front-facing windows are superb. The friendly staff will fetch luggage from the nearby car park. Breakfast includes fruit and ham. Regional dishes are served in the restaurant and bodega.