Everything in this review is from the lense of my wife and I who stayed here two nights while in the La Rioja region for a wedding in Ollauri. 1. This hotel is incredible. It shouldn't be reviewed as less than 5 stars, period. Do you know how hard it is to find an impeccable hotel and location in Europe regardless of the hotel rating and especially one located in a town of 700 people? I would dare say impossible. However this hotel in Briones nails it. There is history, wonderful people, and this boutique hotel that should be 100% booked year round (there were openings while we were there in July, insane...). If you are lucky enough to book a stay here, hug a stranger and count your blessings. 2. This hotel is a converted family mansion with an actual well deserved Michelin star (1 star) ”Allegar” with a limited amount of rooms (I believe 16 total rooms). The hotel dates back to the 16th century with some of the original walls still built against with a modern build out. Bathrooms, beds, furniture, etc... all date from the 2020s and feel brand new (even though this hotel has been open for a few years). Every staff member was fantastic on-site. Start up a little conversation and you might be surprised by the little tid bits they have to offer. 3. Allegar! Okay Spain has tons and tons of Michelin star restaurants and while we haven't eaten at every single one in the country, we have had enough choice food across the globe to know when we are eating something spectacular. Allegar's La Rioja tasting menu was so damn good we ate it two days in a row. You likely won't want to eat anything else for the rest of the day because of how filling the journey is, but who cares? That's the point of food this good. The chef is marvelous and his team of sous chefs deliver right along with him. The first tasting was a solo date and the second day was with friends. If we had more time we would have eaten there again and had the Allegar tasting menu (the other main tasting menu other than a la carte). 4. The wine. You're in the La Rioja region so yeah, there is fantastic wine everywhere. The hotel has its own wine and we purchased it as gifts for family and friends because it was as good as the hotel stay and the Allegar. If that isn't enough for you, then check out the Bodegas (yes wineries, not shops) in the area and you will have even more to bring back home. Side note, ladies if you need your hair done, there is a quaint local salon in town (think Paul Mitchell 1980s vibes) and the owner/team there know their stuff. To all the team members at the Santa Maria Briones, my wife and I would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the wonderful stay this year and we cannot wait to visit again in the future!!!
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