Parador de Argomaniz

Spain - Alava - Argomaniz

Napoleon stayed in this palace during the Peninsular war. Now a three star hotel in the Parador group

The Parador occupies a splendid Renaissance palace, overlooking the beautiful plains of Alava and the Gorbea mountain range.

The small, pleasant local hamlet of Argomaniz is a pleasant village for an evening walk and the Ullibarri Gamboa reservoir is not far away.

Napoleon rested in the Palace before attacking the town of Vitoria/Gasteiz during the Peninsular wars. The coat of arms of the Larrea family who owned the palace at that time is one facade of the building

The interior has remarkable noble rooms with much wood evident in the floorings and ceilings. This is by wooden furniture and chests.

This Parador has a total of fifty three twin bedded rooms all having satellite television, telephone and mini bar.

There is also a bar for residents.

The public rooms have air conditioning.

The Parador is able to have business conferences for up to 270 persons.

The Parador group serve the regional dishes in all their restaurants. The regional specialties of this Parador are:

"Perretxikos" which are mushrooms;
Snails and "goxua";
Sponge cake with cream and caramel;

In addition the Alava region is noted for its fresh vegetables.

The city of Vitoria/Gasteiz is eight kilometres from the Parador and the places to visit are the Santa Maria Cathedral, the Escoriaza-Esquibel Palace and the Villa Suso Palace, and the old neighbourhood of the city. Also in the city there are museums of Arms, Fine Arts, Natural History, and Playing Cards.

It is the area of fine wines with Rioja Alavesa the centre of the Rioja wine producing area.

August is the month for the festivals in the area. August 4 is the date on which is celebrated the Feast of the Virgin Blanca of Vitoria/Gasteiz. After the religious celebrations the partying continues long into the night

It is the turn of San Sebastian on the 8th, when the "Semana Grande" (great week) is celebrated. On the 15th the the fun moves to Bilbao who have their own "Semana Grande".

The reception of the Parador can arrange various outdoor activities with a few days notice. These are usually based on the reservoirs of Gorbea, the Natural Park of Garayo or the Valderejo Natural Park which is a nature reserve.

Animals are not allowed.

Directions

Located 12 km from Vitoria/Gasteiz, the Parador de Argomaniz is located in the Larrea Palace. From its summit you can make out the Plains of Alavesa and the mountains of Urbasa and Gorbea. The Parador is easily reached from the N-1 main road--Madrid-Irun--which it is next to; you then take the Km 363 turn-off and from here, the town of Argomaniz is 1 km away.