Project: Parador Altamira
Location: Santillana del Mar, Spain
Date: 2026
Elements: Rooms
Santillana del Mar is one of the best-known towns in Cantabria, and it is the only one in the region with two Paradores. That is no coincidence. Its history is tied to the Camino de Santiago routes since the 12th century, it lies close to the Cave of Altamira, and it holds the status of Historic-Artistic Site. All of this has made Santillana a celebrated and much-visited town, loved for its beauty and its almost intact medieval atmosphere.
The Parador we are looking at today, Parador Altamira, has just completed a deep renovation with an investment of more than €8 million, which has raised its category from three to four stars.
It stands on the Plaza Mayor in a building constructed in 1987 to echo traditional Cantabrian mountain architecture. The complex also incorporates an adjoining manor house (casa solariega) and several annexes.
A warm welcome
The reception area has been renovated so that guests feel wrapped in a kind of historic embrace.
Robust materials such as stone and dark wood sit alongside subtler elements: a huge sculptural organza painting at the entrance to the restaurant and a reception desk that is imposing precisely because of its delicacy. The desk is a handcrafted piece in dark wood that contrasts with the stone and the textile sculpture beside it.
The mouldings Bagon Muebles installed on the pillars and walls draw the eye upward and give the impression of higher ceilings.
Modern guest rooms that keep the Paradores charm
A full refresh of the Paradores look involves designing and manufacturing new furniture for the guest rooms. Each one shares a common aesthetic, with small details that bring out the character of every property.
In this case, we manufactured the desks, bedside tables and radiator covers, as well as the wall mouldings around the headboard area.
The result lifts the standard of every room while keeping the sense of singular history that Paradores are known for.
Parador Altamira is one of the most modern properties in the group, and this renovation puts it back on the radar of travellers looking for unique settings and distinctive places to stay.
Planning a hotel refurbishment? Let’s talk
Bagon Muebles is a furniture manufacturing partner for leading hotel chains in Spain and beyond. If you run a hotel and are considering a restoration or refurbishment, get in touch and we will explore together how to raise the standard of your property.
Photography: Paradores