Hotel Rural Auñamendi

The Auñamendi is a family hotel on the square in Ochagavía, on Calle Urrutia, in the stone village of the Salazar valley from which you go up to Casas de Irati, about 40 minutes along the NA-2012. Its name is that of Mount Anie in Basque, and also the Basque word for the Pyrenees. The building has been in hospitality for half a century: it began as the bar Casa Zazón and was completely refurbished in 2014.

Thirteen rooms named after the valley

The rooms are spread over three floors with a lift and bear the names of places in the area. All have a full bathroom, central heating, wooden floors, television and free wifi. What changes between them is the view:

• Blankoa, Beiegu and Jasule, double rooms with a double bed, have a balcony onto the square; Blankoa, two small ones.
• Zubiat, Bidezarra and Abodi, with two beds and the option of an extra bed, face the mountain and also have a roof window.
• Udi, Sarria and Ori are on the attic floor; Sarria faces the pine woods.
• Muskilda and Irabia are the family rooms: two beds and a 1.50 m sofa bed. Muskilda is very spacious, with large windows onto the garden and the mountain.
• Irabia and Koista are adapted for people with reduced mobility, and the common areas are too.

Rates by season

Prices per night including VAT, in low, mid and high season:

• Double: €85, €90 and €100; with breakfast, €109, €114 and €124.
• Triple: €120, €125 and €135; with breakfast, €156, €161 and €171.
• Family room for four: €140, €145 and €155; with breakfast, €180, €185 and €195.
• Single use: €65, €70 and €80; with breakfast, €77, €82 and €92.

The buffet breakfast costs €12 per person. High season is Easter, August, October, the first half of November, bridge holidays and Christmas; mid season, Easter week, June, July, September and May weekends; the rest of the year is low.

Lounges, bikes and children

There are two lounges: one for activities, with games, a computer and a small library, and another quiet one, with television and reading. The hotel stores bikes and skis, has a meeting room and, at reception, information on the area; the tourist office and the Interpretation Centre are 100 m away. For families with babies there are cots, high chairs, baths and a children's menu. The website does not say whether dogs are admitted or whether it has its own parking: ask when booking on 948 890 189 or at [email protected].

Dinner without going out

Downstairs is the Bar Restaurante Auñamendi, with a terrace onto the square, a set menu Monday to Thursday at €20 and a weekend menu at €30.

From the door

On foot, the path to the hermitage of Muskilda leaves from the upper part of the village. By car, Casas de Irati and the Cubo Waterfall are 40 minutes away, and the Irati-Abodi mountain centre about 15 km along the Larrau road.