The Boutique Hotel Pico Velasco, located in Cantabria, has been awarded its first Michelin Star following the Michelin Guide Spain 2026 gala, held on 25 November in Malaga. With this recognition, the project becomes the only Michelin Star hotel in the autonomous community and joins the small group of establishments in Spain that combine accommodation and catering recognised by the guide.
The project is led by Inés Aguirreburualde, with chef Nacho Solana at the helm of the gastronomic offering. The distinction comes two years after the hotel opened its doors in June 2023. Since its inception, Pico Velasco has developed a concept that combines cuisine, hospitality and natural surroundings, in a location between the Cantabrian Sea and the green landscapes of the Asón River estuary.
To mark the Christmas season, the hotel has launched a range of gift vouchers for stays that combine accommodation and a gastronomic experience. This initiative offers guests the chance to enjoy relaxation and signature cuisine in a protected natural environment, within the Santoña, Victoria and Joyel Marshes Natural Park.
The Pico Velasco restaurant is located on the lower floor of the building. Its dining room, dominated by large windows, offers direct views of the surrounding landscape, with meadows, sea and estuary as a backdrop. Nacho Solana’s culinary offering is based on local produce and a contemporary interpretation of Cantabrian cuisine. For the current season, the restaurant offers two tasting menus: “Deseo 2025”, also known as “Albiar 2025”, and “Amanecer 2025”, known as “Sincio 2025”.
In terms of accommodation, the hotel has eleven rooms spread over two floors. On the first floor there are six rooms that combine a glass interior structure with the building’s original stone walls. On the upper floor there are five rooms with large glass surfaces and views of the natural park and the Cantabrian Sea. The architectural design seeks to establish a direct relationship between the guest and the environment.
The experience is rounded off with breakfast service, one of the establishment’s most renowned offerings. Pico Velasco’s breakfast has been nominated as one of the best hotel breakfasts in Spain and features a selection of seasonal products, artisan preparations and dishes made to order, with a strong emphasis on local producers.
