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Spain - Cantabria - Limpias |
A majestic 19th century palace restored to its original splendour
This recently opened four star Parador is in the Palace of Eguilior which is surrounded by 5 hectares of park land.
The park contains many specimen trees. The most important are the hundred year old laurels which have been designated World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Among the varieties of importance are the ash trees, the maples and the magnolias.The estate also contains one of the best examples of the typical mixed forest which covered a big part of Cantabria many years ago.
The palace was constructed in the 19th century by the architect Emilio de la Torriente combining rustic and modern features which was fashionable at that time. It is a large square building with towers at the corners.
You pass through the substantial stone walls using a large wooden door which was the inspiration for the makers of many of the furnishings inside.
Facing you is the central staircase where the walls are decorated with hangings from the Bauhaus collection which imitate the design of the window which dominates the first landing.
During the reign of King Alfonso XIII it was the most important building in the area and in which some of his ministers councils were held.The Parador has 18 rooms on the restored Eguilior Palace and a further 47 rooms on a newly constructed building. The new construction combines mountain architecture with galleries and large glassed areas.
Seven of the rooms have living rooms en suite and also the top floor of the new building has six large rooms with views of the surrounding gardens.
The rooms have been tastefully furnished using chestnut wood with a contemporary design. The beds have magnificent carved wooden headboards and textiles in bright colours.
In addition to the lounges in the palace, there is a restaurant, bar and cafe. Outside there is a swimming pool which is open during the summer season, tennis and paddle tennis courts and, of course, a vast beautiful garden.
The restaurant specializes in the local cuisine which is based both on products from the mountains and fish from the nearby sea.
Typical dishes include:"marmita", a traditional sailor's dish (a tuna, sardines, lobster, trout or salmon stew);Local festivals include: Parade with floats made of flowers on the last Friday of August; Santoņa Carnival, usually held in February; Celebrations in honour of La Bien Aparecida, patron saint of Cantabria, on the 15th September.
"cocido montaņés", (pork sausages and beans stew) - the symbol of the Cantabrian cooking;
large variety of chickpea and white and red bean stews;
selection of cheeses;
sweets like the "corbatas de Unquera", "sobaos pasiegos" or "pantortillas de Reinosa";Pets are not allowed in the hotel.
Directions The Palacio de Eguilior Parador Hotel is in Limpias.
From Santander, take the A-8 motorway towards Bilbao until junction 173 (Colindres-Ampuero-Limpias), then the N-629 road towards Burgos-Logroņo.
Take the Limpias exit after 1 km.
From Bilbao, take the A-8 towards Santander and exit at junction 173 (towards Burgos-Logroņo).
Take the Limpias exit after 1 km.
From Madrid, take the N-1 motorway.
In Burgos, take the N-623 towards Santander, or the A-1 toll-road towards Bilbao.
From Castilla-León, take the N-627 towards Reinosa-Torrelavega-Santander.
The Parador is 44 km from Santander and 60 km from Bilbao.
