History
Adolfo Suárez González, (1932-2014) was the first democratically elected prime minister of Spain since the Second Spanish Republic. He was pivotal in the country’s transition to democracy after Franco’s dictatorship ended in 1976.
His sumptuous former residence is now one of Spain’s best luxury hotels. Nestled just inside the beautiful fortified walls of historic Ávila in the beautiful Castilla y León region around an hour’s drive from Madrid. It is now a fine boutique hotel. You should not miss the opportunity to spend a couple of nights in one of the luxurious and historic rooms here.
We stayed in the town as part of a mini road trip around the region. As a slightly more off the radar alternative to an obvious stay in Madrid, we loved the experience. I will review the road trip itself in full in a future post.
This traditional stone built mansion is the only five star hotel inside the city walls of Ávila, and also has the honour of being the only hotel inside the walls with a pool. History oozes through the walls of the hotel. The wonderful interior design preserves, respects and highlights many of the original features, while adding a modern interior design flair. Deep and inviting leather chairs abound in the suites and in the two communal lounges on the ground floor. A line up of classic motorbikes in a small conservatory area feels like a mini museum, and the perfectly kept garden and pool area feels like your own private villa.
Disclosure : this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through links in the article, I will receive a small commission which can help the blog to grow. I only recommend hotels that we have personally stayed in and enjoyed.
Check in
We found the staff on the front desk to be professional, friendly and helpful. They spoke better English than I speak Spanish (which is not hard!). Parking (a bit steep at 20 euros per night) was a bit tricky, and required some very careful manoeuvring to get our hire car into the secure gated yard across the other side of the narrow cobbled street. We dropped off our bags early and came back later to find they had been taken up to the junior suite in which we were staying.
The room
The attention to detail in the room was astounding. The tradition and history were perfectly preserved, even though the room felt also felt somehow so modern at the same time. We loved the generously sized bed, which was very comfortable, with clean, crisp white bedding embossed with the hotel’s logos. We stepped onto the generously sized tile floored balcony to enjoy a coffee from the in-room machine. The afternoon sun warming our skin through the crenels in the city walls was a joy. Water was provided in the room, although a 500ml bottle between two of us meant we had to remember to buy our own when we were out and about.
The garden area was immaculate, and the pool looked very inviting indeed. We stayed in mid September with blue skies and hot afternoons hitting high 20s degC (hot, at least for us Brits). Hence we were disappointed to be told the pool was closed for the season as it was “getting cold”. Butterflies danced around us enjoying the afternoon sun on their wings as we sat with a cold drink gazing longingly at the pool.
Dining
We were extremely impressed by dinner in the restaurant. Chenai (a connoisseur of fish) had a perfectly cooked Red Snapper. The beef ravioli that I opted for was also superb. We enjoyed a truly fine dining experience, which was matched by breakfast the following morning. We had a choice of perfectly seasoned eggs cooked to order and complemented by a selection of fine local cheeses and Spanish ham. The freshly brewed coffee was also very welcome.
Location
The location of the hotel is another major winning aspect. Located just inside the city walls, with just a short stroll along the cobbles, we could pop through a nearby archway to admire the city walls from the outside. They are especially beautiful when lit up at night by the many spotlights. You can also amble into town easily to take in the many delightful medieval attractions, cafes, and boutique shops that lie within the walls.
Final thoughts
Our short stay at this historic, well appointed and meticulously thought out hotel was a delight. In particular we found ourselves remarking again and again on the various charming little design touches in the magnificent interiors. We we were a little disappointed that the pool had closed for the season though.
La Casa del Presidente is definitely one of Spain’s best luxury hotels. A perfect base for exploring the historic city of Ávila. Your time spent here enjoying the gardens, dining in the wonderful restaurant, and relaxing in the luxurious lounge will likely end up as one of the highlights of your trip.
Book your stay at La Casa del Presidente here.
