Housed in an 18th-century abbey that was originally the residence of a local priest, ORA Hotel Priorat is a subtle but stunning boutique lodging that embraces the lifestyle of the region’s wine country and offers a gateway to the rolling hills, fine cuisine and the timeless traditions that surround it.
Baroque arches, pillars, and ceilings guide guests through corridors that open up to both austere and welcoming spaces — which include a private kitchen for the use of its guests and a beautiful sun-soaked terrace to while away a lazy afternoon — as well as to the stylish designed guest rooms with modern amenities such as tablet and intelligent lighting and air system. Design details throughout include wood floors and dark tiles that play off bright walls and black-iron-framed glass doorways, alongside custom furniture that includes lush green velvet sofas and wood-and-rattan headboards.
Set in the heart of the Priorat wine region, a mere 40 minutes drive from Tarragona and less than an hour from Barcelona, the hotel is perfect for travellers looking for relaxation combined with great food and wine; the area’s celebrated Garnacha (grenache) and Cariñena grapes are adored for their unique qualities, and both of which can be found in abundance at ORA Hotel, where guests are invited to enjoy a selection in either the cellar, lounges, terrace, or the comfort of their own rooms. Located in the heart of a sleepy village and literally surrounded by lush rolling hills and vineyards, this is a place where complete disconnection can easily be executed.
The small restaurant serves a menu representative of Catalan cuisine and traditions throughout the last decades. The authentic taste comes from family recipes and from fresh, simple and tasteful ingredients; the homemade dishes sharing the Priorat culture and the region’s diverse culinary customs. We thoroughly enjoy rich and meaty slow-cooked dishes of pork cheek and lamb, as well as a selection of cured meats, cheese and the Catalan staple: pa amb tomàquet, bread with garlic, tomato and olive oil.
After dinner we settle in the beautiful living room and pull out a couple of old books from the book shelf, there’s a real sense of making oneself at home, and even if the design is sleek and contemporary, there is no loss of comfort and homeliness. We help ourselves to a bottle of wine from the honesty bar and enjoy the overwhelming sense of peace that exudes from the hotel and the area that surrounds it.
For a getaway that combines Old World charm with contemporary and thoughtful design, warm hospitality and peak disconnection from the pace of modern life, Torroja del Priorat’s Design Hotels member, ORA Hotel Priorat, is a refined destination for those wanting to sample the exquisite offerings of this beautiful Catalan wine region.
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ORA Hotel Priorat Photography, courtesy Design Hotels © We Heart.
