Hotel Viura, Rioja Alavesa
A cubist design statement rising from the heart of Rioja wine country
Calle Herrería, 19A
01307 Villabuena de Álava, Spain
Type: architectural hotel, boutique hotel, design hotel, independent hotel
Style: brutalist, contemporary, wine hotel
Vibe: in a village, quiet
A daring landmark in a quiet village
In the tiny wine-making town of Villabuena de Álava (or Eskuernaga in Basque) — population barely 300 — Hotel Viura (named after the widely grown grape variety in the Rioja region) erupts from the landscape like a stack of concrete and rust-toned cubes. Next to a centuries-old church, its tumbling geometry feels almost surreal, but always intentional. Since opening in 2010, the 33-room boutique has become a modern counterpoint to Rioja’s rolling vineyards and medieval villages, drawing design lovers and curious oenophiles alike.
Architecture that breaks the mold
Created by brothers Xabier and Joseba Aramburu, the building resembles a precarious tower of blocks scattered across the village edge. Corrugated concrete, slate-lined hallways and sharply angled public spaces add a cinematic quality — reception is even carved into a cave-like nook. Decorative pieces nod to local winemaking: massive barrels hang from ceilings, giant blown-glass vessels glow softly in corners, and warm lighting turns industrial edges into theatrical moments.
Rooms that balance cool concrete with warm comfort
Step into the rooms and the atmosphere shifts. Here, stability and serenity take over. Poured-concrete walls meet warm wood furniture that subtly references wine crates, grape-coloured glass tints the bathrooms, and glowing cube side tables act as sculptural lamps. The rooms are large, many with sweeping views of the village rooftops and the Sierra de Cantabria mountains. Underfloor heating, plush bedding and individual climate control soften the industrial palette, while photomontage headboards inject a touch of creative edge.
Eat, drink and explore the region’s flavours
The restaurant’s ceiling, draped in wine barrels, sets the tone for a menu of reliable Rioja classics — slow-roasted lamb, vegetable stews and regional produce. Downstairs, the wine bar lets guests explore the surrounding vineyards without leaving the hotel. In summer, visitors also receive complimentary access to the village pool, while a rooftop lounge offers gin and tonics or glasses of Rioja with uninterrupted mountain views.
Amenities shaped by the landscape
Hotel Viura extends its experience beyond the expected. There’s a small top-floor gym overlooking the rooftops, a cosy library stocked with art and travel books, and a spa where massages and wellness treatments add a restorative pause between tastings. Deluxe rooms and suites also feature private terraces perched above village streets — ideal for slow mornings and golden-hour sunsets.
Where avant-garde meets authentic Rioja
Despite its radical silhouette, Hotel Viura remains intimately connected to its setting. The cube-stack layout ensures panoramic views, modern comforts sit beside rustic materials like butcher-block wood in the bathrooms, and local wines appear from minibar to dining room. Step outside and you’re moments from bodega doors, vineyard trails and the region’s deep winemaking traditions.
DNA Hotels verdict
Hotel Viura is Rioja at its most unexpected — an architectural dare placed gently among stone houses and vineyards. Bold, sculptural and surprisingly warm, it offers design lovers and wine wanderers a stay that feels rooted yet forward-looking. For those seeking a modern refuge in Spain’s most storied wine region, this is the place where cubist creativity meets timeless countryside charm.
Amenities:
• 24-hour front desk • air conditioning • bar • free bicycles • fitness room • free WiFi • garden • library • massages • free on-site parking • restaurant • room service • wellness area • free access to outdoor swimming pool in the village (seasonal)
