need luxury hotel (boutique hotel excellent) from which to do food and wine day trips...any really great suggestions?

I have a very clear answer: Marques de Riscal.

It is a luxury boutique hotel (43 rooms) with spa and everything you need with breathtaking architecture. IMO, the best building that Frank O. Gehry ever designed.

And it IS a winery, and, in fact, on par with Marques de Murrieta, one of the best in Rioja. Their tour & tasting is the very best that you can get in Rioja.

www.marquesderiscal.com

and:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury...ropertyID=1539

Of course, it is not cheap.

Marques de Riscal is amazing!

Another great place is Los Agustinos in Haro:
http://www.hotellosagustinos.com/

A medieval convent located in the center of Haro, a great village to explore and visit. A bit less expensive as well.

Can't go wrong with either place!

Enjoy!

There is a new luxury 4-star property that opened this month in the village of Villabuena de Álava (Rioja Alavesa), great for touring the Rioja and much less expensive than the Marques de Riscal.

http://www.hotelviura.com/

Try this familiar and boutique hotel: www.realcasonadelasamas.com/

Nice plug, but as nice as the hotel may be, it is not that well located for touring the Rioja Alta and Alavesa.

nice hotel, robert. interesting design.looks like they are petty well booked up for the next months. put in several random dates july, august and September.. and nothing!

Yes, the hotel is interesting. We drove by yesterday on the way to have lunch in Ezcaray. The location is fine for touring, but I would rather be located on the north side the Ebro.