Hotel Torre del Marqués: the new jewel of Matarraña
In the heart of the Matarraña region, in Teruel, stands the majestic silhouette of this 18th-century farmhouse that once belonged to the Marquis of Santa Coloma.
Converted into a luxury hotel –with bio-sustainable materials and taking advantage of the area's resources for its air conditioning–, the emblematic building now houses the new Small Luxury Hotels project: the five-star Torre del Marqués, which promises to become the secret jewel of Bajo Aragón.
The Hotel Torre del Marqués has just opened its doors in Monroyo (Teruel), in the middle of a place still –and luckily– unknown to many and perfect to enjoy a getaway of disconnection, nature and luxury.
The outdoor pool heated all year round, the ecological products and kilometer zero that they use in their restaurant and their exclusive spa They will make you not want to leave the domains of Torre del Marqués.
But get out, because adventure awaits you in the crystal clear waters of Parrizal de Beceite, on the hiking trails between waterfalls and gorges, in charming medieval towns such as Valderrobres and Calaceite, in the wineries where you can taste the best wines and oils of the region or, for the more daring, on the largest zip line in Europe.
One of the exclusive suites of the Hotel Torre del Marqués
SLOW MODE ON
Surrounded by its own crops of vineyards, olive and almond trees, the Hotel Torre del Marqués is an invitation to rest and reconnection with nature.
In addition to being the summer residence of the Marquis of Santa Coloma, this estate of more than 150 hectares was the scene of the battle of Tévar, starring Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar “El Cid” in the 11th century.
That historical past fades between the mountains that guard the farmhouse, letting nature be the only marchioness that puts order in the landscape.
As we approach the grounds of the Hotel Torre del Marqués, We lower the car windows and let our lungs fill with fresh air, our pulse slow down and our mind slow down little by little, activating the slow mode. Quiet luxury was this.
The hotel pool and gardens at sunset
AN ECO SUSTAINABLE PROJECT
Sustainability is one of the fundamental pillars of the Hotel Torre del Marqués and its footprint in the place begins precisely from the foundations, since For the rehabilitation of the farmhouse, local natural materials have been used with the aim of reducing the CO2 footprint of the building as much as possible.
Likewise, traditional construction elements have been used while using modern construction techniques; such as the walls of Tapial created from earth and straw mortar from the farm itself, the polished plaster floors of Albarracín, the clay and sandstone walls of the Puertos de Beceite, the Macael marble tiling from Almería or the structures of Iberian forest pine.
All the elements on which the hotel is built come from the surroundings and have been made and transformed by local artisans and builders, becoming an extraordinary example of circular economy that encompasses all aspects of the hotel.
And it doesn't end there, far from it: the sustainable component has been so important in this project that it has been possible to create a building with low energy consumption, through the creation of natural air currents and interior greenhouses, and the use of construction materials with high thermal inertia.
Also, the little energy needed to run the hotel is 100% renewable through solar panels and biomass boilers that are extracted from the pine forests of the farm.
Quiet luxury was this
NO SKIMPING ON LUXURY
The 18 rooms of the hotel, distributed in three of the floors of the farmhouse, offer a beautiful panoramic view of the surroundings, which also blends in with the decoration creating an elegant space where silence and tranquility rule.
The spa has a water area, jacuzzi, Turkish bath, sauna as well as a treatment and massages with products signed by Natura Bissé.
The best? guests can privatize the spa to enjoy it in the most exclusive intimacy.
A spa where you can forget about the world
THE GASTRONOMY
More than a restaurant the culinary section of this five-star hotel is an authentic gastronomic and sensory experience. And no, we are not exaggerating in the slightest.
To begin with, the excellent quality of the raw material has a reason for being, and we find it very close: all around us, because The climate and landscape of the area, together with the passion of its people for cultivating the land, mean that the restaurant's dishes are made with the best local products.
Olive oil, black truffle and honey are just some of the irresistible delicacies that we will find on the table where our senses will be embarked on a journey of aromas, smells, flavors, contrasts and textures.
Kilometer zero (literally, since the hotel has its own vegetable garden) and the seasons rule in the kitchen, to which the best arrives, and we do not say so, but the local producers who select the best from their orchards and farms for Torre del Marqués.
The kilometer zero reigns in the hotel restaurant
AN ADVENTURE BETWEEN WATERFALLS, ROCKS AND OLD RAILWAYS
Located in the east of the province of Teruel and bordering the Valencian Community and Catalonia, The Aragonese region of Matarraña is a little secret guarded by the Iberian mountain range where the expression mass tourism finds no place among untouched and wild nature.
Here we find one of the best preserved natural enclaves of the Peninsula: the Puertos de Beceite Natural Park, which has several ravines and waterfalls. The team of Track organizes excursions and a multitude of outdoor activities (hiking, cycling, kayaking, climbing...).
Near the source of the river is the Parrizal Strait; a natural spectacle with a 60 meter high gorge and a minimum width of only 1.5 m in some sections. Don't worry, its access is simple and suitable for all audiences.
By the time the heat kicks in: a dip in the natural pools of La Pesquera and ready to continue the route to the Salt de la Portellada , a waterfall over 20 meters high that will leave you impressed.
A luxury getaway in the heart of Matarraña
Lovers of climbing and hiking will find their particular paradise in the Masmut rocks are a set of reddish conglomerates with walls over a hundred meters high.
Do you prefer pedaling? The Torre del Marqués hotel also organizes excursions around the Vía Verde Val de Zafán, an old train route converted into a greenway, for bike rides suitable for all ages.
With the river Ebro as the backbone, the Vía Verde will take us through bridges, aqueducts, tunnels, reconstructed old stations such as Aldover and Benifallet and a multitude of beautiful landscapes.
After your adventure in the surroundings, relax in the living room
FROM VILLAGE TO VILLAGE
Another of the great tourist attractions of Matarraña are its precious medieval towns such as Cretas, Beceite, Fuentespalda, Valderrobres, Calaceite or La Fresneda.
Five of them have been declared a Historic Site by the Ministry of Culture and Two of them –Valderrobres and Calaceite– form part of the association of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain.
Valderrobres It is the capital of the region and the best way to get to know it is to wander through its streets until you reach the stone bridge and the medieval entrance of San Roque or the 16th century Town Hall. Don't miss the impressive 14th century Gothic castle and church.
In caloil , you will be surprised by its old town, crowned by the Renaissance building that houses the town hall.
Nature protects the domains of the Hotel Torre del Marqués
CULTURE, TASTINGS AND ZIPLINE! (NOT IN THAT PRECISE ORDER)
The Route of the First Settlers joins the towns of Cretas, Mazaleón, Calaceite and Valdeltormo through a route of 47.2 km.
An itinerary that allows the visitor to immerse himself in the past through cave paintings such as La Roca dels Moros and Els Gascons, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The fields of ancient olive trees, vines, peach and almond trees, as well as the Matarraña river itself complete this adventure among Iberian settlements.
And advancing a few centuries we reach the old dungeons of the region, on the so-called prison route, which includes nine locations in Matarraña where you can discover prison spaces from the 16th and 18th centuries.
Most of the prisons are located in the basement of the town halls and inside there are chains, rings, traps and many stories that only its walls know.
The starry sky of Matarraña
Tasting time! Wine or oil? Better both. The Matarraña region enjoys ideal geographical and climatic conditions for growing vines.
The cultivated varieties that we find are, in white, white grenache, macabeo and chardonnay ; and in ink red garnacha or tempranillo, among others.
From these grapes some high quality wines, with an intense graduation, between 12 and 15 degrees, but endowed with a fine taste and it is possible to taste them in wineries like Sale d´Aubert , in the municipality of Cretas.
The Diezdedos organic oil cellar , in Cretas, is a good option if you want to enjoy liquid gold.
In October the region celebrates its famous Mycological Conference and restaurants prepare specialized dishes in this delicacy. oh! And in November is the truffle season, an excuse (yet another) to return to enjoy the colors of autumn in this unique place.
You may think that there is nothing more to explore in the Matarraña, but we have saved what many considered one of the best plans for last: the Fuentespalda zip line, which with its almost 2 kilometers long and 200 meter drop, is the longest zip line in all of Europe!
As you say? That you stay to live in the Matarraña? Good choice: the mountains will protect you, the waterfalls will lull you to sleep, its orchards will feed you and the Torre del Marqués hotel will take care of you.
Calm, We won't tell anyone where to find you.
This is how you will fly on the longest zip line in Europe