Hotel Alma De Romero — Hotel in Karrantza Harana/Valle de Carranza

This small hotel is in the beautiful Valle de Carranza in the Basque Country about an hour's drive from Bilbao and Santander. The landscape is alpine with surprising aspects such as palm trees in gardens. Sitting in its own meadow, Alma de Romera (literally the soul of rosemary) has an open, warm and welcoming atmosphere which is enhanced by the personal welcome we received from our hosts Lourdes and Fernando. They conducted us to our room which like all of the rooms have an individual theme. Ours was Morocco. Others are Africa, India and France, for example. Morocco is a suite with a living area at ground level with a large lounging divan with silken cushions, coverings and hangings in Moorish textiles and colours. Opposite is a flat screen TV with DVD player. There is also a log burning stove with an abundant supply of wood to supplement the central heating or lend atmosphere to a cosy evening. There are french windows leading onto a south-facing private terrace with a small Moorish fountain and a table and chairs. The view over the valley is amazing with snow-covered mountains in the distance. A flight of stairs leads you from the living area to the bathroom and bedroom where again the decor was Moorish and large windows offer panoramic views to the south and the west. The bed is king-sized and extremely comfortable. The bed head is a solid curved slab of local stone which, trust me, was very comfortable to lean against whilst in bed. This bedhead also acts as a room divider and behind lies a large space with the an oval spa bath and shower set into a carved wood and stone. The copper basin and handcrafted brass tap which was like the spout of a kettle were just one of the many details that have been lovingly designed and made by the hosts. There is a separate lavatory as well as a walk-in wardrobe both leading off the room. The hotel has a lounge and dining room with pretty hand-painted furniture. In the corner of the lounge there is a small self-service bar where you keep your own tally of drinks consumed and pay at the end of your stay. There are also a large library of DVD's that you can take to play in your own room. The breakfasts are phenomenal. Everything is locally sourced and delicious. Carranza's cheeses are extremely good and make a change from the ubiquitous Manchego. The breakfast is a continental one but the variety of food is great and plentiful. There is freshly squeezed orange juice, toast, cheese, chorizo, jams and from a British point of view, how wonderful it is to eat cake at breakfast. Reception is in the large bright and airy entrance with a small gift shop attached selling local artisan products as well as imports from eastern countries. Lourdes has travelled widely sourcing materials for the decor of the hotel. Much has been built and made by Fernando who has a local stone-mason business which has been established for generations. All has been done with evident artistic flair and has clearly been a labour of love for this couple. Having said that there is nothing in the least bit precious about the place or the hosts. Their sole wish is for their guests to feel relaxed and at home and to enjoy...

Cuidado con el gps porque nos metio por un camino de cabras para llegar al hotel pero debe haber otro acceso. Hotel romantico con jacuzzi en la habitacion. Nosotros estuvimos en la suite mexico, hotel apartado en plena naturaleza para disfrutar del relax. Entrada muy decorada, estar para tomarte alguna copita (vas apuntando en una hoja lo que tomas) o alguna infusion, libros y peliculas para ver.||La suite tenia una salita de estar con una cama supletoria con armario(todo muy rustico de tabiques pintados) con television(esta a la entrada en la salita con lo cual no se puede ver desde la cama de matrimonio) y debajo de la tele una pequeña nevera con minibar(que si tomas algo apuntas tb).||La cama de tabiques pintados y cortinas muy bonita, enfrente el jacuzzi redondo amplio. (Una pega que tenia la manguera de la ducha rota y que no tienes otra ducha y que con una cortinita que hay no tapas el jacuzzi para ducharte) enfrente un pequeño lavabo muy rustico tb que salpica un poco. Luego un pequeño baño (no cierra la puerta) con solo la taza del water. Y una terraza preciosa donde ver el monte y el atardecer y poder comer o picar algo con vistas. Se sirven desayunos por 6€ persona aunque nosotros no lo cogimos. El dueño muy amable el trato telefonico con el. La chica de recepcion sin mas, no nos explico mas que las cosas que teniamos para comprar y que estaba puesto el precio( bombas de baño, geles, el minibar, infusiones...) no nos explico ni como iba el jacuzzi y una vez metidos tuvimos que llamar al dueño porque no sabiamos ponerlo(hay un automatico para que funcione en la entrada de la habitacion). Todo genial y estancia super relajada. La mayor pega que pondria es que en tiempos como estamos de alarma sanitaria por Covic19 no habria mas limpieza en la habitacion(no estaba precintado el baño para saber que estaba limpio, no habia un dispensador de jabon o hidrogel, en su lugar la tipica pastilla de jabon, los vasos de cristal tampoco que deberian de estar envueltos con algo... o dar de plastico y tenian polvo). En la entrada si que...

Sin palabras para describir lo bien que se siente uno en Alma de Romero te acogen de la mejor manera, el dueño muy agradable y detallista nos explica la dinámica del bar, desayuno o la sala de dvd-s... la habitación: super grande, ambientada en nuestro caso "budista" voy a poner un único 'pero' y es que la habitación olía un poco a tabaco pero no creo porque hubieran fumado dentro sino de fumadores... al entrar, bañera d hidromasaje, chimenea, cama de dos metros, baño privado con ducha y doble lavabo un sofa, televisión con dvd, wifi ademas un acceso al jardin con mesa fuera y hamacas las toallas de gran calidad asi como las sabanas y colcha y la cama hecha de verdad, cosa que en hoteles de 3 y 4 estrellas no encuentras, ya que últimamente solo encuentras sábanas "rasposas" y toallas diminutas el entorno super rural y tranquilo, no ves mas que caseríos, vacas y caballos y por último el desayuno!! que maravilla!! no puedo describirlo todo: mantequilla, mermeladas artesanas, tostadas rústicas, chorizo casero, cafe, colacao, yogurt casero, cereales.... suena a un Buffet pero no! todo en tu mesa y servido al momento a parte, una barra con un surtido de fruta y de productos de pastelería, croissants y mas cosas todas de calidad Tuvimos que irnos apenados pero con la promesa de volver pronto a conocer...