DIEGO'S HOTEL CRUSH 3

DIEGO'S HOTEL CRUSH

By Laura Martínez

Our CEO, Diego Calvo, let us in on the hotels that have enchanted and mesmerised him lately. If Diego’s summer is about being the most all-round, versatile host on the island, spending the entire season in Ibiza, he then uses the off-season to visit other places, get inspired and meet hoteliers across Spain. Coincidentally, our favourite hotel trotter has just arrived from Costa Rica, where he travelled to discover the essence of Pura Vida (Pure Life), the well-known philosophy of the happiest country in Central America.

The beginning of this hotel route begins in Asturias, a destination that is increasingly attracting attention due to its innumerable virtues. It’s the place where Diego escapes each summer to escape the Balearic heat and visit his in-laws. He said: “I took the opportunity to see a couple of hotels that I had on my mind: the urban and cosmopolitan El Môderne, in Gijón, where top quality comfort and service combine without losing that familiar touch, and Villa Rosario, a spectacular Indian architecture hotel on the beachfront in Ribadesella, where my partner, Laura, has spent many years as a holidaymaker with many great memories of her stays there. I thought it was the perfect place to propose to her and create the most special memory of all. After the nerves and the hoped- for “YES!” we enjoyed an unforgettable dinner at the Michelin- starred Ayalga Restaurant on the hotel’s ground floor.

From Asturian romanticism, we move on to the always fascinating Madrid, where our CEO made two fantastic discoveries: The Hotel du Temps, a little piece of Paris in the heart of Malasaña, created by the French couple Yoan and Jen Marciano. Diego continued: “I stayed there before the opening and experienced first-hand the excitement and nerves of this endearing couple who have come up with a new concept for the most competitive city in terms of hotels, a fusion between Madrid and Paris. The second discovery was the Hotel Montera Curio, whose perfectly executed interior design was created by Lázaro Rosa-Violán. “Situated between Gran Vía and Calle Montera, this hotel offers surprising privacy, as the reception is on the ninth floor. The hotel is inspired by the essence of castizo (classic, genuine Spain). The staff is dressed in the typical chulapo (traditional Madrid region attire), with red carnations on the tables and an imposing mural, painted by my friend, the artist Miguel Caravaca.

In Barcelona, there are also new establishments, such as the recent opening of the Borneta Hotel, which is in the heart of the city’s Borne neighbourhood and is part of the Miiro hotel brand. Regarding his stay, Diego said: “I was looking forward to staying in the new project by interior designer James Thurstan Waterworth, a regular collaborator with the iconic Soho House brand. Special mention goes to the rooftop, where there is a pool with incredible views of Barcelona and a sculpture by artist Pilar Zeta”.

Another regular destination for the captain of the Concept Hotel Group ship is the neighbouring island of Palma de Mallorca. He continued: “I was invited by the Spanish Royal Family to the Marivent Palace for the annual meeting of the Balearic Society. I was so surprised that I thought it was a joke at first, but there i was with my ruffled shirt on and a bunch of suits looking at me funny! I stayed at Palma Riad, a beautiful and authentic Moroccan Riad with 11 rooms in the heart of the Borne district, full of details such as Arabic desserts in the room and tiled bathrooms.”

And finally, we arrived at the Costa Rican journey: 4 hotels visited in 4 different locations. Diego said: “The first place where we stayed was Casa 41, a small boutique hotel in San José, which was the former family home of Mauricio Dada, the architect of this uniquely special place, converted into a hotel where Don Marco and his team treated us like royalty. The interior design is beautifully thought out and detailed, bursting with colour and special pieces chosen by Mauricio and the interior designer Carlos Manuel Jiménez’.

From the Costa Rican capital, let’s go with Diego to Tortuguero, a small village on the banks of the Sierpe River, also known as the ‘Little Amazon’. “We got in touch with nature in its full splendour at Mawamba Lodge, owned by Mau and his family, a spectacular place on the banks of the river, with wooden modular rooms from where the macaws wake you up in the morning and you can hear the monkeys talking among the trees, a real treat.

The next stop was Puerto Viejo, a lively little town in the Limón province: “We were lucky enough to stay in one of the most beautiful hotels and best integrated with nature that we have had the pleasure of visiting: the Hotel Aguas Claras, remodelled by the artists Elizabeth Steinworth and Elena Rohrmoser, a mother and daughter team who have managed to imbue this imposing Victorian property with their personality, a dream with the Caribbean Sea at its feet.”

The Pacific’s crystal-clear waters were the perfect finishing touch: ‘In Guanacaste, we enjoyed the last peaceful moments of our trip at Azul Retreat. On the shores of Playa Azul, one of the area’s wildest beaches, this immense property extends its 22 white wooden modular rooms among palm trees and iguanas who look on curiously at everything that happens.

If this review of the hotel scene has left you drooling, don’t worry: you can always embark on your own expedition to Ibiza and visit Concept Hotel Group’s hotels, where you can see Diego in his natural habitat, moving stealthily among palm trees and terraces and following the trail of his next great adventure. A spectacle worth witnessing from the front row, as long as you don’t disturb his ecosystem.