La Posada Hotel: A New Vision in Rural Boutique Hotel Architecture

Nestled in La Pereda, Asturias, between the Sierra del Cuera and the cliffs of the Cantabrian Sea, La Posada Hotel is a remarkable example of rural boutique hotel architecture. Originally established over thirty years ago as a family-oriented rural hotel, it has evolved into a vibrant, open space where architecture, design, and nature converge. Designed by Mariano Martin of MARIANO, the hotel exemplifies how thoughtful interventions can transform a traditional space into a modern, experiential retreat.

A History Rooted in Nature and Family

The founders of the hotel, a couple from Madrid, sought a serene environment to raise their children while offering visitors a unique, immersive experience. Surrounded by oaks, chestnuts, hazels, and birches, the hotel has long been a venue for exhibitions, concerts, and celebrations. This rich history forms the foundation for its latest transformation, marrying tradition with contemporary design principles in rural boutique hotel architecture.

Open-Plan Interiors: Living Like Home

At the heart of the renovation is the creation of an expansive, open-plan space encompassing the lobby, reception, lounge, library, and kitchen. Each visitor can interact with the space as they would in their own home. The bold use of indigo blue, previously part of the lobby’s double-height ceiling, now envelops walls, ceilings, furniture, and the piano, creating a seamless and immersive environment. By eliminating strict boundaries, the design encourages flexibility and personal interpretation of space.

Materiality and Craftsmanship

A single material, untreated iron, organizes the new functions of the hotel. Crafted almost artisanally, the iron forms mobile, divisible furniture that houses pantries and refrigerators for each room. Perforated sheets create moiré effects, revealing glimpses of the products inside while maintaining an elegant aesthetic. The iron also shapes a central island, bar, and table, inviting gathering, reading, dining, and social interactions under “showers of light” that hang from the ceiling, blurring the line between functionality and artistry.

Bridging Interior and Exterior

Folding glass doors seamlessly unite the interior’s indigo blue palette with the lush greenery outside, reinforcing the concept of an open house. Classic and unfinished tiles coexist with the iron furniture, emphasizing natural textures and imperfection. This approach extends to the bedrooms, where wood and blue tones combine to produce a refined yet playful elegance. Every element celebrates reuse, history, and the joy of discovery, creating a hotel that feels simultaneously nostalgic and innovative.

A Refuge More Than a Hotel

La Posada Hotel now embodies the essence of a refuge, encouraging guests to cook, gather, and connect. The broken circle in the kitchen wall symbolizes openness and community, reflecting the philosophy that architecture can foster human interaction. Small interventions, like “The Last Brush” in the lobby, demonstrate how minimal changes guided by perspective can profoundly reshape a space.

With this renovation, La Posada Hotel establishes itself as a leading example of rural boutique hotel architecture, blending color, materiality, and spatial openness. It honors its heritage while embracing a contemporary vision, ensuring another thirty years of memorable experiences. Today, it is simply called The Posada, a space where design, nature, and human experience converge.