Jaunted

Hotels

Straight Lines are for Losers

April 6, 2006 at 10:40 AM | 0 Comments

Things are looking up in the north of Spain. Basque separatist group ETA announced last week that they would be observing a "permanent ceasefire". Since that time, the Basque region has already unveiled plans for a new tourist push, including the construction of  a Frank Gehry designed hotel, to compliment the Gehry-designed Guggeheim Bilbao.

The Hotel Marqués de Riscal is set to open this September, in the Rioja Alavesa part of Basque country, famed for its wine. The hotel itself rather resembles an exploding car--perhaps Gerhy was making a nod to ETA in the design? Or, more likely, he was doing the same thing he's done with every other building he's designed since 1992.

Basque country has also benefited mightily from the European LCCs, which love the small airports there. And Foodies take note: there are a grand total of twenty-two Michelin stars in Basque country. With that many good meals on tap, it makes an exploding hotel seem that much more tolerable.

Related Stories:
·   Peace Dividend [Times of London]
·   ETA permanent ceasefire begins [BBC News]