Akelarre Hotel

Hotel Akelarre is the result of a more than forty years of identity and development. Is the blend between tradition and time with the obsession for investigation and innovation. It’s accurately the symbiosis in the integration of context and innovation that defines the spirit of Hotel Akelarre.

In this ambiance, Mecanismo conceived a precise project of design and construction of the hotel. The accurate selection of materials, furniture and the detailed execution distinguishes Hotel Akelarre; the materials as the link between concept, form and function. The use of natural resources and whilst materials; stone, wood and linen respect the inner nature and properties in the process, as well as, contemplating the advances of investigation and new techniques for their manipulation and induction, that characterizes the project and studio itself.

The avail of different materials in each volumetric construction and the thereon in the succession of materials that often, interfere and modify a geometry shape and or volume defines the concept and functioning of the project while simultaneously granting a unique and diverse atmosphere, providing Akelarre with an unequivocal personality. The Hotel is located a few kilometres away from the center of San Sebastián, in the North side of mount Igueldo, facing the Cantabric Sea, wrapping the old building that hosts the famous three Michelin star restaurant.

Five stone cubicles emerge from the hillside of the mountain towards the sea, harbouring in their interior the rooms. The hotel offers, a total of twenty-two rooms, in two levels, all of them newly built and oriented to the sea and functionally similar regardless of their dimension or category. Slightly sunk on the deck of stone cubicles, six spaces of cured silhouettes integrate the hotel terraces. These terraces, which are carved in stone, join the rest of the platform by a planked space and gardened areas, all of which seek a stunning view to the horizon.

A strand completely covered in wood, runs longitudinally at every level, in a way that a circulation space by the cubes, connect with the common areas of the hotel; wellness, snack bar, wine cellar and the lounge. Each of these spaces have a different and independent scenario that connect the whole via with an equal formal language and material. In this line, the Oteiza snack bar depicts a divergent style from the restaurant, keeping a coherent and undeniable latter. The general amplitude of the space seeks to welcome the visitor, together with a lighting that receives the panoramic sights from the windows that settle the space.

The lounge, has also been aligned to the architecture, which gathers the desired sensation of the warm textures, light, and materials, whilst distinctively characterizing the design of the furniture by Mecanismo. With access to the deck and terraces the outstanding and remarkable views grant the position of Akerrale in the pronounced hill of Igueldo. At the same level, the wine cellar is conceived in two areas, as a tasting room and as a space of conservation and exposition, divided by a large curved glass. The tall table for wine tasting prevails the space, and the disposition of the lighting highlights the presence of the bottles as the most important elements of the restaurant’s wine cellar.

The wellness space has been differentiated by a curved glass enclosure. A wet area distinguished by exceptional luxury swimming pool in stone, sauna and Turkish bath; and an additional area with three independent capsule’s created by an innovative constructive system in stone for the visitors. The warm access to the niches in canvas and the five cabins as changing rooms, together with a gym, contextualize the space with an exclusive aesthetic taste. A project that combines both the essence and innovation of Akelarre’s with the conceptual design and dedication that defines Mecanismo as a whole.

Mecanismo: Marta Urtasun and Pedro Rica

Constructor: Orizki
Installation: EOS engineering