Hotel San Prudentzio- It’s a Family Affair
Sisters Ainhoa and Nerea have been running their family’s Basque Country hotel, Hotel San Prudentzio, full time since their parents decided to (mostly) retire three years ago. Like many Spanish families that have businesses, the children (Ainhoa and Nerea) left to go to college and pursue their own careers before coming back home to Getaria to take over for their parents.
Though they also spent much of their lives growing up working in and helping their parents (and grandparents) out with the hotel. They are are the third generation in the family hotel business, but you’d have to go back a dozen more generations to find their family’s Basque country roots.
I’ve met family after family in Spain’s rural areas, that own hotels, B&B’s, and wineries who have the same tradition. On this trip alone, I met many 4th, 5th, and 6th generation family members who left and then came back to work full time in the family business.
This way makes the most sense financially, and personally, for everyone. Running a family business isn’t easy, and supporting an entire family on the income is much more difficult than supporting only one generation at a time. Also, this gives the newer generation the chance to go and live in a different place and get an education and experience before coming back to what will be the rest of their lives (at least until their children take over for them!).
I can imagine, however, that when you’re from somewhere as beautiful and agriculturally-nautically blessed as coastal Basque Country, coming home isn’t a huge burden.
Being a Californian, this way of life seems impossibly idyllic to me. To own a hotel or a vineyard in my home state, you’d have to have many millions of dollars. But, when it’s passed down to you after many generations it is a different situation.
I can’t think of anything nicer than being able to work in a business that is your own, in a beautiful area with vineyard and ocean views, alongside your siblings.
The Hotel
The Hotel San Prudentzio is perched at the top of a hill, surrounded by vineyards and hiking trails just a few minutes drive (or 15-minute walk down footpaths through the vineyards) from the town of Getaria. Vineyards and the ocean are in view at all times.
The interior is cozy yet colorful and modern. There is always a fire going if it’s cool weather. The bedrooms are colorful and modern yet tasteful and the beds and showers are fantastic. During your stay, one of the sisters is always available if you need anything.
And at sunrise and sunset, there is literally no place you’d rather be in Getaria.
When you are tired of taking in the views or relaxing by the fire, you can take one of the many paths just out the front door of the hotel that lead you through beautiful countryside.
The famous Camino de Santiago actually runs through this area, and there are a few different choices of directions to take. All are beautiful. Some lead through lush, green, rolling hillsides dotted with sheep. Others lead you out in the open, with the ocean always on one side. You can walk from village to village (it’s only about a 6-mile hike to the nearby town of Zauratz) stopping at farms or vineyards along the away.
Hotel San Prudentzio in Getaria – My Basque Country Home Away from Home
Hotel San Prudentzio, for me, was more than just accommodation. It was home for a few days. It put me in the midst of nature, beauty and the outdoors and made me feel as if I was staying in a B&B run by friends rather than a hotel (but with the advantages that only come with a hotel). It absolutely made my trip!
If you’re ever in the coastal area of the Basque country (it’s a great escape from San Sebastian as it’s only an hour by car) I’d highly recommend staying with Ainhoa and Nerea at Hotel San Prudentzio in Getaria.
*Their website is in Spanish at first glance but you can choose the English or Euskara (Basque language) version as well.
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What a wonderful property. Love that it’s run by family (sisters) as that always brings some charm and conziness that can never be achieved in commercial multi national hotels. The decor is pretty awesome too walking a thin line between quaint and chic and the view are just WOW.
Reminded me of this place we stayed in Greece in Amorgos which too was run by two sisters.
Thanks Raghav! I agree, I love the coziness of smaller and family run places. And, a mix between the old and the new 🙂
This looks stunning. I love smaller family run hotels too and I believe you get a much more personal experience.
I love that you gave some background about the owners of the hotel. I actually never knew that the Basque Country had so many family run hotels! Sounds like you had an amazing stay and those views are to die for!
I like the concept of wine-themes travelling! Also, this is the first time I read a blog post in which are given details on the owners of a facility (hotel, hostel etc)… it just makes me feel that if (or better WHEN!) I will be visiting I will already feel at home 😉
You had me at vineyard! San Sebastian is somewhere I’d love to see and the fact that it has vineyards makes it even more appealing. This looks like a beautiful place to stay.
I love hotels like this that a so cozy and comfortable. It sounds like an awesome place!
I love Spain! I would love to explore more of countrysides one day than just big cities like I did so far. I bet visiting those small B&B places with vineries in a backyard and amazing family history must be a quite wonderful experience! That hotel you stayed looks amazing! Love that sunset view!
This property looks perfect and a beautiful location too. I’m planing on walking the Camino de Santiago so this would be right on my route! A sunset sounds perfect!
Ada- yes it’s so nice to get away from the cities and experiences how people live in the regions-so many cultural differences (foods/languages/etc) even just within the same country!
Yes-a lot of people don’t realize there are vineyards so close! 🙂 Just grab a car and go is my suggestion- you won’t regret it
thank you! Yes I do travel primarily with the objective of seeing wine regions (15 years in the wine industry!), regions with beautiful scenery and region known for their food. But equally important to me is getting off the beaten path and staying at family owned or small locally owned places (not hotel chains) and meeting locals or living in a place like a local. There’s no better way to feel you have truly experienced a place than to speak with the locals who have been running restaurants/hotels/cafes there for generations! 🙂
This is a lovely and bright place. I like the decor which makes the ambience so cheerful. The fact that it is a family run hotel ensures that the place has a unique homely flavour. I have always found that these kind of hotels are run with a rare passion and a personal touch which you rarely get to see in the antiseptic star hotels of the cities.
Charming place to stay indeed. Ideal in many ways such as the surrounding nature, the view and the homey ambiance 🙂
I love how cozy, colorful and peaceful the hotel looks! More than anything else, I love the the ocean view and hill top location. Family owned and run businesses always have that personal touch that is in most cases inherited, making them to have a lasting impression. Nice photos
If you choose to do the Basque Country portion of the Camino you won’t be sorry! Much less crowded too!
Family-run spots are the best! This spot looks so beautiful, I’ll have to add it to my list!