Exquisite Day
Wake to views across Rioja Alta, then spend the morning among the vineyards with a visit to a nearby winery. Return to Briones to explore the medieval village before heading down for a tasting in El Calado.
Editor’s Note
"La Rioja is not only true wine country but also has one of the most beautiful villages in Spain: Briones. What’s more, you then arrive at Santa María through imposing stone walls, leaving the sleepy old streets behind for a space that feels completely luxurious yet not out of place with its surroundings. The stone, the greenery and earthy palette of the village are honoured throughout. The rooms feel genuinely special, but the dinner and lounge areas were just as striking."
4 Stars
$$$ · Average
Review
Santa María Briones sits atop the hills of the medieval village of Briones, surrounded by vineyards, wineries, and the winding of the Ebro. With just 16 rooms, this boutique hotel combines a historic setting with a contemporary approach to hospitality. It is also the only Michelin Key hotel in La Rioja.
The building itself is a restored 16th-century manor house beside Briones’ defensive walls. Original stonework, the old wine cellar and a historic winepress remain part of the experience, while the interiors bring a more modern layer for comfort. Rather than erase what came before, the restoration works around it. Part of the old town wall now forms the hotel’s inner courtyard, while the original wine cellar and stone winepress survive downstairs.
Rooms look either towards the vineyards, the Ebro, the defensive wall or deeper into the village. Natural stone, hardwood and soft, earthy colours keep things subdued without tipping into the usual faux-rustic wine-country aesthetic. The largest rooms look beyond the wall towards Rioja Alta and the Sierra de Cantabria; the 41 sqm Berones Room instead has a balcony facing the hotel’s main façade, Briones and the church of Santa María.
Food is central. Allegar, the hotel’s gastronomic restaurant, takes inspiration from La Rioja, with seasonal menus curated around local produce and regional recipes. Its Long Journey tasting menu is designed as a culinary route through the region, while the wine list naturally gives Rioja a starring role.
Downstairs, El Calado reveals one of the hotel’s most atmospheric experiences. Set within the traditional underground cellar, it hosts intimate tastings that connect guests to the area’s wine culture and producers.
Santa María Briones’ location is an excellent base for exploring Rioja at your own pace. Winery visits, nearby village exploring and cultural excursions can all be folded easily into a stay. The Vivanco Museum is also worth a visit. It traces Rioja’s relationship with wine through history, art and culture just beyond the hotel’s doorstep.
Member Privileges
- Room upgrade (subject to availability)
- Early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability)
Write “LUXEAT” in the comments section when making your reservation.
Highlights
Optimal Timing
September/October, as harvest gives the vineyards a particular energy. The reddish autumn landscape is one of the hotel’s defining sights.
Outstanding Space
The inner courtyard and medieval wall. Part of Brione’s 13th-century defensive wall is incorporated directly into the hotel, enclosing a serene open-air courtyard. You are, quite literally, sitting inside the history of the village.
Emblematic Object
The original stone winepress. Preserved from the manor’s wine-making past, it once served as the place where grapes were trodden. Few objects could say more about where you are.
Best Enjoyed With
Travellers who value authenticity and personalised hospitality over mass tourism.