Fountain and palatial facade (c) Hotel Palacio de Ubeda |
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Palacio de Ubeda
Luxurious historic hotel in a 16th-century palace with contemporary styling, spa and rooftop pool.
What's it like?
This romantic hotel in a converted Renaissance palace boasts an impressive façade with a famous tower, and equally beautiful interiors. The main patio has marble columns and a wooden first-floor balcony covered with a glass ceiling, and you can also see artesonado carved wood ceilings,making it one of the most importantbuildings architecturally in Jaen province.
The 37 rooms are minimalist - walls combinewhite or pale greywith stone; wood parquet floors, and boldstatement headboards in baroque or art deco style, complemented by cool pastel or biscuit-toned sofas. Some rooms have freestanding bathtubs in an open-plan bathing area, while suites have bathrooms with separate bathtubs and showers, white and gold mosaic floors, and some have balconies. The two master suites are located in the tower.
On the roof is a seasonal swimming pool, and the terrace has glass walls offering fabulous views of the city's Renaissance buildings and the surroundings undulating hills lined with olive trees.
Formal Restaurante Alicun offers traditional Andalucia cuisine with tasting menus, while Restaurante Abside has alta cocina (haute cuisine) with tasting menus.
Gastrobar is more casual, offering creative tapas, suffused with history thanks to the original walls of honey-coloured stone blocks. A roof terrace bar offers the finest views in Ubeda.
Three meeting rooms have appropriately ecclesiastical names: Salón de la Orden de Santiago,
Salón de la Orden de Malta, and Salón Félix Marte de Hircania.
Palm trees give a colonial feel to the cloister, and the verdant vibe extends to ceramic pots and stainless steels tubs with plants
What's its history?
The former palace of the Condes de Guadiana, thisRenaissance building dates from the 16th century and was built on the site of a mosque; the hotel also incorporatesSan Pedro church, but this has yet to be converted.With a magnificently restored Renaissance façade, featuring carved figures and coats of arms, it is famous for its richly decorated square tower with blue and white tiled roof.
What is there to do?
Visit the city, as well as nearby Baeza and Cazorla in the Sierra de Cazorla national park, and be sure to taste plenty of the fabulous olive oil for which Jean province is justly famous. Relax in the Renaissance Spa, below the main tower, which uses the hotel's own brand of cosmetics in pretty packaging. Enjoy the Thalasso-Thermal circuit with foot bath, 400-year-old Turkish bath, sauna, hot and cold pools, massage and wellness club.(These services are not included in room rates.)
How do I get there?
The hotel is in located in calle Juan Pasquau, 4, in the heart of Ubeda's historic centre. Take the A316 from Jaen, or the A32 from Linares, and on arriving in the town, follow signs to the hotel.
