Hotel Zubieta

Tucked away in a pastoral valley behind the picturesque seaside village of Lekeitio is a traditional Basque country house from the 18^th century that has been restored and converted into Hotel Zubieta. The romantic boutique inn, with its characteristic exterior of stone and timber and gently sloping roof and colorful shutters, is hidden past the arched stone gates of Palacio Zubieta, which it shares the property with. The hotel is within easy walking distance to the cobblestone streets of Lekeitio’s waterfront and the town’s three idyllic beaches while still providing a sense of rustic privacy. Comfortable and quaint rooms are found upstairs while the ground floor houses a charming café, a casual restaurant, and a tranquil outdoor terrace.

The hotel is especially welcoming to cyclists, providing a bike storage area, trail maps, and even a small repair shop. Those doing their explorations of the Basque Country via bike should consider this a friendly stop.

room

All 23 rooms are uniquely designed and have plenty of floor space and a simple décor that is brightened up by colorful curtains and arrangements. Flat screen TVs, safes, and free Wi-Fi are standard, though there is no adjustable AC. Upgraded rooms have open lounge areas adjacent to the bed with comfortable furniture and coffee tables and an open design that makes the room feel even larger than it already is.

YOU SHOULD KNOW This being both a boutique hotel and historic building, the rooms are opened with keys instead of cards; you will have to become reacquainted with locking the door on your way out.

bathroom

The bathrooms are clean and unfussy with marble floors that feel good against the feet and tasteful wallpaper trim running atop the white tile walls.

lobby

The entire ground floor of the inn, meticulously well preserved in all its grandeur, is dedicated to the public areas of the hotel. Upon entry, guests will find an ever-friendly staff behind the small reception area that blends in with the rest of the gorgeous foyer. There is a sprawling lounge area between the café and the restaurant that feels like a time machine back to a simpler time, with antique furnishings and rich furniture to settle into and pleasing works of art abound.

dining

At the back of the ground floor is a cozy dining room with a terrace to eat on during the summer months. The menu is basic Basque cuisine; it's nothing fancy but it gets the job done for those who don’t want to make the trek into town or who want the serenity of the outdoor seating that looks out upon a green pasture and rolling hills beyond. A breakfast buffet is included in the stay.

drinking

Taking over a large section of the ground floor is a delightful, old-time-y café and lounge that serves up a good coffee by day and drinks long into the night. Exposed timber support beams rise from the darkened brick floors and the wood-paneled bar in the corner oozes the rustic charisma of the hotel as a whole. You could easily mistake the space for a Santa Fe adobe saloon if you didn’t know any better. Locals pop in throughout the day, creating a more authentic sense of place within the town than your average hotel bar.