Erletxe Casa Rural – Laguardia, Spain
Rua Mayor de Peralta, 24-26
01300 Laguardia (Álava), Spain
(+34) 945 621 015
Rating: 
Variable rates: $78-$100 per room
Our Rate: N/A – We rented the entire house for a negotiated rate.
Booked Via: Direct
Reviews: TripAdvisor
If you’re planning a multi-day trip to the Rioja region of Spain, this is where you want to stay. In fact, you’ll probably never want to leave! And what about the name? Erletxe is Euskerian (Basque) for “Bee House”. Maria raises bees a few miles away at the foot of the Santa Cantabria mountains. She has a “honey room” just off the courtyard of the house and you can sample fresh honey at breakfast each morning.
Location: Erletxe is located in the village of Laguardia. The three story house is built along the exterior fortress walls that date back centuries. Laguardia does not allow cars into the village proper, so access is by foot through one of the city gates or via a garage door on the exterior.
Rooms: Every room here is fantastic. You’ll feel like you’re in your own home. Some have more room than others and most have an ensuite bath. Some face the interior courtyard, some into the village and a couple overlook the vineyards of Rioja. Most rooms are simply furnished and have large beds. There’s ample closet space in each and most have desks, nightstands and windows to let in the fresh outside air. One thing to be aware of is there is no TV, no clock radios or any other items you may be used to in a regular hotel room.
Facilities: There’s a large common area living room on the second floor that’s furnished with lots of interesting things from the families worldwide travels. There’s a large TV with DVD player along with Wi-Fi to access the internet. The Wi-Fi signal does not reach all the rooms, so you’re best chance for access is here. Downstairs, there’s a large breakfast room with a small library of books you can read during your stay. There’s also a one-person elevator, which will make getting your luggage to the top floors a lot easier than climbing the stairs.
Each morning there’s a home-style Spanish breakfast served for a couple of hours. Outside, there’s a large enclosed courtyard with outdoor tables and chairs where you can unwind with a glass of wine. Restaurants in Laguardia are all less than 3-4 minutes walk from Erletxe. If you’re driving, be aware that since cars are not allowed inside of Laguardia, all parking is outside the exterior walls of the village. Parking here can be brutal, as you’re competing with residents and there’s only so much parking at the top of the hill where the village sits.
Staff: Maria is the ultimate host. She’s lived in this area for many years and knows just about everything there is to know about the area, Spain and beyond. You’ll feel like you’re spending time with your family while you’re at Erletxe.
Pros: If you want to experience Spain like a local, this is how and where you do it.
Cons: The only downside is it may be a bit noisy inside the house with other guests. Many of the rooms on the 2nd floor, open out into a central hallway. If you want a bit more privacy, rent the bedroom on the first floor. It’s close to the entrance and it’s the only bedroom on the main floor.
IAH TIP: Book early. Erletxe is a top-rated place to stay in this area on TripAdvisor so it books up months in advance. Also, if you’re traveling with others, consider renting the entire house.
Hotel infantas is a clean hotel in a great location in central Madrid. It may be a bit more three star than four star as it’s advertised, but will work great for most travelers. Plus, it’s a great value, especially if you’re not spending much time in your room.
Rooms: Rooms are fairly well appointed, clean and have plenty of storage space. Infantas is in a typically old European style building, so most rooms have double, floor-to ceiling narrow doors that open out onto the street below. Luckily, there are two sets in most rooms to cut down on outside noise, but noise can still be an issue. The neighboorhood of the hotel has a significant night life, so noise on the streets can last well past the early morning hours. You may want to consider an inner-courtyard room, however, book early as there aren’t many in this hotel. Bathrooms are also good sized for European standards and some include tubs a well as showers. There’s plenty of storage For your gear as well as safes in each room to store your valuables. 
Facilities: The hotel has a small bar and separate small restaurant. Each morning, breakfast is served in the restaurant and consists of a small buffet with hot and cold items, including eggs made to order. Food selection changed slightly each day which was nice. We didn’t eat here for dinner, however, the restaurant appeared to be quite popular. Free wi-fi is offered throughout the hotel, but the signal is very weak in most areas, including the lobby. If you need fast internet access, you’re best bet is Starbucks across the street.
Hotel Viura is one of the most unique boutique hotels in the Rioja region of Spain. While there’s the Gehry designed Hotel Marques de Riscal in nearby El Ciego, you’ll pay half the price here and still be close to everything Rioja has to offer. 
Location: The hotel is located on the far southwestern tip of Koh Samui, in Phang Ka. It’s on the complete opposite end from the airport, so a transfer will take around 45 minutes or so, depending upon traffic in the more populated areas. The resort is about a kilometer off of the main road. You’ll wind your way through a small residential area and the resort will be at the end. There are a couple of small convenience type stores about 2km from the resort for any snacks or small items you may want to purchase. It can easily be reached by a short 15-20 minute walk or take one of the free bikes from the resort. 
Rooms: Elements is a very modern, contemporary place to stay. The resort itself is small and compact, so you’re never far from activities, restaurant, pool or spa, no matter where your room is located. Larger and more expensive rooms are located towards the pool and beachfront in a “villa” type atmosphere. Smaller, less expensive rooms are situated towards the center of the resort in “villa” style or “two story” type buildings.
Facilities: The hotel has a pool, exercise room, full-service spa and restaurant with small bar. The exercise room is very large, with floor to ceiling glass on three sides. There’s a wide range of exercise equipment as well as free weights. There’s a small changing area and locker room as well. The pool is a large rectangular shape with chairs and umbrellas down each side. It opens on to the beach area, which includes additional chairs and umbrellas. 
If you’re looking for a nice hotel within walking distance of just about everything in downtown Santa Fe, the Inn at Loretto is an excellent choice. An AAA 4-Diamond property, as well as having been on Travel & Leisures Top 100 hotel list, the Inn at Loretto lives up to expectations.
Rooms: Rooms here are very good sized, especially if you go with the Deluxe rooms. Most of those have sitting areas and some with balconies. Beds are extremely comfortable and the rooms are well appointed. Bathrooms are just a touch on the small side, but still adequate. One thing that is nice here is that rooms are very quiet. Due to the thick adobe-style walls, you’ll barely hear a peep from anywhere. Some rooms on the first level have small outdoor patios facing the parking lot. There are only one or two elevator banks in this hotel, so some rooms can be rather far away for some guests. The Inn is pet-friendly and charges $25 per stay per pet, up to two.
Facilities: The hotel has a pool, exercise room and full-service spa. There’s a huge bar area just off the main lobby and the on-site restaurant is Lumenaria. We were only able to have breakfast at Lumenaria, but if their breakfast was any indication of what lunch or dinner is like, it’s phenomenal. Parking is via valet. The entire hotel and parking area is enclosed by a wall around the perimeter.
Rooms: Rooms here are average sized and very well appointed. Beds are very comfortable and they all have the “signature” Mandarin bathroom. It consists of a large soaker tub, separate shower with marble throughout. Bathrooms here tend to be larger than in most other hotels. Rooms on the Tai Pan club floor tend to be a few square foot larger, plus you’ll also have access to free breakfast, happy hour and all day snacks. All rooms have large windows, a spacious work area, flat screen TV and plenty of outlets to connect your electronics.
