Concept, Palacio de los Ángeles Hotel.

A Baroque Palace Reimagined as a Luxury Hospitality Experience

In the heart of Haro, the historic capital of Rioja Alta, stands Palacio de los Ángeles, a jewel of 17th-century civil Baroque architecture that, after decades of disuse, has been reborn as a five-star boutique hotel. This architectural project, led by Inarsa, with Trenchs Studio responsible for the interior design concept and supported in its management by Majestic Hotel Group, transforms a heritage building into a new benchmark for luxury hospitality, combining architectural memory with a sophisticated contemporary design.

Creative Concept: A Dialogue Between History and Contemporary Design

The design is rooted in a deep respect for the palace’s cultural and architectural heritage. The intervention does not seek to compete with the original Baroque language, but rather to reinterpret it through a timeless approach, integrating noble materials, natural textures, and carefully designed lighting that reveals history without compromising modern comfort.

Haro’s winemaking tradition also plays a central role. Wine, the soul of the region, inspires details in the common areas and is expressed through the wine-gastro bar and the underground cellar—a unique space dedicated to events and sensory experiences connected to the world of wine.

A Journey Through the Spaces

The lobby is conceived as a grand romantic salon that preserves the palatial essence while introducing domestic elements to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Dark wood coffered ceilings establish a visual rhythm that adds character and depth, while original stone walls engage in a respectful and elegant dialogue with contemporary furniture.

At the center, a unique antique table welcomes guests, guiding the eye toward the lit fireplace at the back, which acts as a focal point and evokes the palace’s former private salons. On both sides, seating areas with sofas upholstered in olive and beige tones are complemented by round wooden and marble tables with table lamps that provide warm, focused lighting.

The space is completed with integrated shelving, where decorative objects and books create a relaxed, domestic feel—closer to a private library than a conventional lobby. Everything is designed to convey an intimate and inviting atmosphere, softening the monumentality of the historic building and transforming it into a place to pause, converse, and enjoy time.

The reception, discreetly located at the back, blends seamlessly into the spatial narrative, functioning as a service point without disrupting the overall ambiance. It represents the first gesture of hospitality, expressed with the same quiet sophistication that defines the entire hotel.

The wine bar is presented as a sober and authentic space that celebrates Rioja Alta’s winemaking tradition through a contemporary language. Its design revolves around a central bar, clad in dark wood geometries that add texture and depth.

A large perimeter wine display made of iron and glass provides lightness and subtly defines the transition to the restaurant without fully enclosing it. This display showcases and preserves the wines, allowing guests to experience the essence of Rioja in a warm yet contemporary setting that balances historic grandeur with comfort.

The restaurant maintains the aesthetic continuity of the lobby, with dark coffered ceilings and natural stone flooring, creating a coherent and elegant atmosphere. Large windows framed with heavy curtains filter light softly, reinforcing the intimate character of the space.

At the center, a restored antique buffet acts as the focal point for breakfast service and gastronomic events, set on flooring that combines stone with handcrafted ceramic details reminiscent of traditional manor houses. This piece interacts harmoniously with contemporary tables and chairs, balancing tradition and modernity while ensuring comfort.

At the back, a fireplace clad in copper tones recalls the memory of old palace kitchens. Above it, a curated selection of antique copper cookware reinforces the culinary narrative, connecting the present-day dining experience with the palace’s domestic heritage.

Walls with aged mirrors multiply the light and visually expand the space, while warm lighting highlights every detail of the table setting and furniture. The result is a cozy yet refined atmosphere that invites a slow and immersive culinary experience deeply connected to the place’s history.

The wine bar and restaurant will be managed by brothers Ignacio and Carlos Echapresto of Venta Moncalvillo, a two-Michelin-star restaurant in Daroca de Rioja.

The Garden

The garden is a private oasis in the historic center of Haro—an exceptional luxury within the city. Surrounded by the palace’s historic stone walls and carefully curated vegetation, it offers a protected and exclusive environment for guests.

The outdoor dining area features tables, armchairs, and cushioned benches in neutral and green tones, creating different social corners. Hexagonal paving and floral planters soften the geometry of the space, adding freshness and color.

A standout feature is the outdoor bar, with a ceramic-clad geometric counter, covered by a light canopy reminiscent of traditional garden pavilions. It acts as a social hub, energizing outdoor life while maintaining stylistic coherence with the interior.

The swimming pool, located beyond the dining area, complements the garden as a place of rest and wellbeing, offering a शांत and private setting. At night, warm lighting highlights the stone walls and vegetation, transforming the space into an intimate and elegant scene.

This garden not only expands the hotel’s gastronomic and leisure offering but also establishes it as a unique destination—a green refuge where history and contemporary design coexist in perfect balance.

Central Courtyard

As part of the architectural intervention, the interior of the palace was emptied, preserving only the Baroque façade. This allowed for the creation of a central courtyard that organizes vertical circulation through elevators and staircases. This sober and contemporary space combines stone and warm wood, becoming a place of light and connection between floors.

Rooms and Suites

The rooms follow the same narrative present throughout the hotel: a balance between historic character, domestic warmth, and contemporary design. Each space combines original stone walls with soft neutral finishes, while dark wood coffered ceilings provide identity and continuity. Herringbone natural wood flooring enhances the sense of comfort and timeless elegance.

Standard rooms feature refined simplicity, with beds dressed in natural textiles in warm tones, soft lighting that creates a cozy atmosphere, and seating areas by the windows overlooking the historic center or garden.

Suites elevate the experience with freestanding stone bathtubs integrated into open bathroom layouts, adding sophistication and wellbeing. In some, metal canopy beds introduce a romantic and elegant character, while sofas and armchairs in soft tones create comfortable living areas.

Apartments in the adjacent building offer a more residential experience, featuring living rooms with integrated kitchens while maintaining the same palette of noble materials and contemporary furniture in dialogue with historic textures. They are ideal for guests seeking independence without sacrificing the hotel’s services and exclusivity.

Across all room types, lighting is carefully designed to highlight textures and create intimate atmospheres. Black-and-white photography of Rioja Alta landscapes reinforces the connection to the territory. The result is a collection of serene, warm, and functional spaces designed for rest and disconnection.

Spa

The hotel also includes an intimate spa, conceived as a wellness retreat that complements the hospitality experience. Located in one of the palace’s former rooms, it continues the narrative of noble and warm materials, adapted to a more sensory and relaxing atmosphere.

The spa features two massage cabins, a relaxation area with loungers in neutral tones, a dry sauna, a steam sauna, and a small indoor jacuzzi visually connected to an outdoor terrace. Adjustable lighting allows the ambiance to be tailored to different moments and treatments.

Oak wood paneling, natural stone, and handcrafted ceramic details add texture and elegance, reinforcing a sense of discreet luxury. Despite its compact size, the spa offers a complete experience focused on relaxation and personal care.

Underground Cellar

This unique space serves as a versatile venue for private events, tastings, and sensory experiences connected to Haro’s winemaking tradition.

Materiality and Atmosphere

The material palette celebrates authenticity: oak wood, local stone, soft stuccoes, and textiles in neutral tones that respect the building’s historical essence. Indirect lighting enhances volumes and textures, creating warm and timeless atmospheres.

Conclusion

Hotel Palacio de los Ángeles is much more than an architectural restoration—it is the revival of a historic heritage projected into the future. Through an interior design that balances romanticism, tradition, and contemporaneity, the project offers a unique experience in Rioja Alta, integrating hospitality, gastronomy, culture, and wellbeing.

The management by Majestic Hotel Group ensures the highest standards of quality and personalization, aligned with the project’s spirit. Every space—from the lobby to the rooms, from the wine bar to the spa—is designed to create emotions and lasting memories.

The combination of noble materials, carefully studied lighting, and a constant connection to history and winemaking tradition positions this hotel as a new benchmark for Haro, adding value for both visitors and the city.

Overall, the project demonstrates how timelessness and authenticity can coexist with contemporary sophistication and comfort, offering a destination that goes beyond a simple stay to become a complete sensory and cultural experience.