Project: Parador Santillana Gil Blas
Location: Santillana del Mar
Date: 2026
Elements: Rooms and common areas
Santillana del Mar is known as the town of the three lies: it is neither holy (santa), nor flat (llana), nor by the sea (mar). What it does have is one of the best-preserved historic-artistic sites in Spain, with cobbled streets, noble stone houses with carved coats of arms, and a past linked to the Camino de Santiago and the nearby Cave of Altamira.
On its main square stands the Parador de Santillana Gil Blas, housed in the former Barreda-Bracho family house. It is a baroque stone building from the late 17th century that still carries the family crest on its façade. It became a Parador in the mid-20th century and takes its name from Gil Blas de Santillana, the picaresque novel by Lesage. Furnishing a place like this takes craftsmanship and deep respect for what is already there.
A project guided by natural materials
At Bagon Muebles, as hotel furniture manufacturers, this was one of those commissions we enjoy especially. The brief was clear: prioritise natural materials and respect the historic character of the building as far as possible.
Wood and white stone were the main materials chosen, to create pieces that sit alongside the building without stealing its thunder.
The guest at the centre of the project
For the guest rooms we manufactured desks with built-in minibars, an essential piece today. They work as a small office for moments of work and as a side table for a quiet drink in the room. We also made the shelves beneath the desks.
A natural wood finish was the key here, continuing the look established in the public areas.
Our contribution to the public areas: reception, restaurant and meeting spaces
The public areas concentrated the largest number of singular pieces, and in these the craftsmanship and experience behind each piece make all the difference.
For the reception desks in the lobby and the restaurant, we used solid wood mouldings and white stone tops. The key was to guarantee durability and practicality while making a strong impression on the guest, since this is one of the first things they interact with on arrival. These are pieces with presence that welcome visitors and speak the same language as the building’s stonework and joinery.
Among the standout pieces are:
- A central table for the meeting room, an imposing piece with a square top in natural wood.
- Panelling for a mirror, which frames it as part of the architecture.
- A custom upholstered bench seat with an integrated radiator cover, designed so that the guest’s view is never interrupted.
The back-bar unit, made to measure for one of the Parador’s restaurants, is one of the most striking pieces in the building. While serving the bar, it greets guests so warmly that it has completely changed the character of the space.
Finally, 20 outdoor coffee tables complete the project and extend the Parador experience out onto the terrace and open-air areas.
Why custom furniture makes the difference in a historic building
A 17th-century building does not accept off-the-shelf solutions. Walls, ceiling heights and radiators all shape each piece, which is why custom furniture works better: it adapts to the space instead of forcing it.
Working with natural wood and stone also guarantees durability in an environment of intensive use such as a hotel, and these materials age gracefully. Over time they gain character, which fits the Paradores idea of offering stays steeped in history.
The result is furniture that does not impose itself on the building but becomes part of it. A guest walking into the lobby or sitting at the bar should feel those pieces have always been there.
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 planning to refurbish a hotel, a restaurant or a historic building, get in touch and we will explore together how to raise the standard of your property.
Photography: Paradores