Hotel Ansotegi

In the heart of the Pais Vasco countryside, in Etxebarría (50 km from Bilbao) is this extraordinary hotel/restaurant with fifteen spacious ensuite guestrooms. The building was once an iron foundry (historically an important economic base in the Basque country), a mill and a palatial house with a history going back to the 15th century. A magical restoration has taken place in this significant building -- what was once the anvil room is now an elevator, the original coal bunkers are now the offices, kitchens and bar of the hotel. The transformation of these buildings into this small hotel has been a labour of love for the owners and the meticulous care taken certainly shows. The rooms feature stone, wood, glass and white linens and the bathrooms are very modern. Rooms either have twin beds or one big bed. In the restaurant you can taste the culinary creations of the young chefs Pello Hernando y Aitor Manzano, who have taken traditional recipes to a new modern height, using the freshest of local ingredients. There is a changing daily menu, a seasonal menu and a tapas menu available to guests, with an excellent wine selection. Note that the restaurant is closed Sunday night and Monday.