CoolRooms Palacio de Luces

The name of the CoolRooms brand rather undersells what you’ll find at the Palacio de Luces, a 16th-century palace in verdant Asturias, between the Sierra del Sueve mountains and the Atlantic coast. The palace itself is gorgeously restored, its exterior meticulously preserved, and its interiors — plus the necessary modern additions — venturing into contemporary design, resulting in an eclectic visual experience that admits of a multitude of influences.

Its rooms and suites, too, are more than cool — they’re as stylish as they are luxurious, decorated in colors inspired by the landscape and furnished with modern boutique-inspired comforts. The signature CoolSuites are set in the old palace building, and benefit from its surplus of atmosphere, but even the most modern rooms in the new annex display plenty of personality.

There’s a fairly elaborate spa, and guests are invited to explore the coast via bicycle, on horseback, on a surfboard, or aboard a fishing vessel. But even with all this as context, it’s Tella, the modern gastronomic restaurant, that is arguably the main attraction, with a menu that dives deep into the specific flavors, recipes, traditions, and ingredients of Asturia, all under the direction of chef Francisco Ruiz — and, for a more casual experience, there’s La Palmera, the hotel’s well-loved gastrobar.