I know what is required to create a beautiful and interesting property…

Christine Cunanan is the Owner of LA ESPERANZA Resort & Villa in Granada, Spain and Publisher & Editor of TRAVELIFE Magazine in Tokyo, Japan.

She talks with TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN about La Esperanza Granada and how they sourced almost all the architectural elements, furniture and decorative items from around Granada and nearby cities to create a stunning luxury boutique resort and private villas for those looking for unique and authentic experiences in Spain.

“Since I have stayed in many wonderful

hotels myself, I know what is required to create a beautiful and interesting property, as well how to combine aesthetics and experiences for a most memorable stay,” Cunanan says.

1. Ms. Cunanan, thank you for accepting our request for this interview. Please let’s start with a question about you. Can you introduce yourself and why did you choose hospitality as a career?

I am based in Tokyo and I own a travel magazine for luxury travelers in Asia. During the pandemic I decided to purchase a property in Spain and renovate it into a luxury boutique resort and private villafor those looking for unique and authentic experiences in Spain. This has long been a dream of mine. Since I have stayed in many wonderful hotels myself, I know what is required to create a beautiful and interesting property, as well how to combine aesthetics and experiences for a most memorable stay.

2. What do you feel sets La Esperanza Granada apart from other high-end hotels?

The location amidst nature is magnificent and the architecture of the building itself is stunning. Then there are the interiors which are truly Andalucia in feel and unique in design. The interiors are elegant andeclectic while also being stunning. Every corner of La Esperanza Granada offers a photo opportunity. However, more than this, the quality of the experiences on offer — whether cultural, historic or gastronomic — is excellent and the service highly personalized. Guests feel taken care of in a special way, as if they are the only ones in the property.

3. What considerations have gone into building a luxury hotel like La Esperanza Granada when it comes to the architecture and design? Is there a storytelling element to the architecture and design creation?

place quiet enough to get away from it all but at the same time near enough to some of the most exciting cities in Andalucia. There are many beautiful hotels in Spain but we wanted La Esperanza Granada to be a destination hotel that guests would travel to from around the world to experience luxury and also authenticity. For this purpose, we sourced almost all our architectural elements, furniture and decorative items from around Granada and nearby cities. We want guests to feel like they have entered someone’s beautiful home in the hills outside of Granada City, rather than simply checked into another hotel.

4. How has the specific city of Spain contributed to the hotel’s architecture and design elements?

Granada is a wonderful mixture of Moorish and gypsy influences in a conservative and proud Spanish city. And rightly so because it is the home of the Alhambra, the very first UNESCO World Heritage site of Spain. It is also one of the most beautiful cities in Southern Europe. Therefore,

we tried to combine these same Moorish and gypsy influences into the architecture and design of La Esperanza Granada. For example, our

courtyard is the same dimension as one of the courtyards of the Alhambra, and we have created fountains and planter boxes using tiles handmade by a family with a 500-year-old history of creating tiles in Granada. Also, many of our rooms have artworks and details inspired by the Alhambra. At the same time, paying tribute to the gypsy community of Granada, from where the flamenco began, we have paintings and artworks alluding to this most alluring of dances. In fact, our breakfast salon has a flamenco theme, with large paintings of dancers on the walls.

Meanwhile outside, in the gardens, we have fountains similar to those found in the Alhambra. In fact, as soon as guests enter our gates, they will see a recreation of the famous Patio de Leones, which is a fountain supported by sculptures of lions.

5. How do specific designs contribute to the guest experience?

La Esperanza Granada is not a commercial endeavor but a passion project to create

a resort and private villa where guests can experience the best that Southern Spain has to offer. Guests immediately understand this when they arrive because the hotel is unlike any other. The result is an unforgettable experience and oftentimes a desire to return to this place of beauty and happiness.

6. In your view, has the perception of luxury changed? – if in any way. Do people have different expectations?

After the pandemic, luxury now means having the space and the time for an authentic experience in a particular destination. It also means offering personalized service that makes guests feel unique and special rather than just one of many in another beautiful place to stay. It is quite difficult and costly to travel now, and it involves some health risks. So it is important for guests to feel that they have experienced something special and worthwhile amidst the difficulties, costs and risks. This is the new luxury.