Motel El Hidalgo: A Spanish Roadside Oasis
Discover an architectural gem of 1950s Spain, a haven for travelers on the busy Andalusian highway.
By The Martín-Crespo Collection of Tourism
Ana Moreno Garrido, Eugenia Martín-Crespo y Elena Araujo Díaz de Terán
Let’s set the scene in space and time
It’s 1959, and we are at kilometer 194 on the southern-bound Andalusia highway, four hours from Madrid and seven kilometers from Valdepeñas, a town of about 25,000 residents, known for its agriculture and famous wines.
By Cornell CapaLIFE Photo Collection
A very busy road
The Andalusia highway was one of the most tourist-heavy routes in Spain. If in 1951 there were 392,244 foreign drivers arriving in Spain, by 1963 that number had skyrocketed to 5,806,153. We must also add a larger number of domestic tourists.
Oasis on the Castilian Plateau
The motel was built with these travelers in mind, offering a green and refreshing respite in the monotonous Manchegan plain. Three slender metal towers signaled the way for travelers. The central and most significant tower indicated whether there were rooms available.
Outside of Motel "El Hidalgo" (1959) by Lamela StudioOriginal Source: Lamela Studio
El Hidalgo's Castilian Style
El Hidalgo was characterized by quality and natural textures, a sober Castilian flavor, and an international rationalist style.
Interior patio of Motel "El Hidalgo" (1959) by Lamela StudioOriginal Source: Lamela Studio
Architecture for tourism
The architect was Estudio Lamela, founded in 1954 by Antonio Lamela, who began his career designing tourist architecture such as hotels and resorts. El Hidalgo, one of his early projects, earned him national fame and provided Valdepeñas with an iconic and unique building.
Living room with fireplace at "El Hidalgo" Motel (1959) by Lamela StudioOriginal Source: Lamela Studio
An Ambitious Project
The initial plan covered seven hectares and included a main building, 288 rooms, 167 covered parking spaces for cars, 52 for the restaurant, and seven for buses, in addition to a gas station, garages, and green areas.
The Outcome
Ultimately, only the first phase and part of the second were completed. The motel was built only on one side of the road, resulting in a main building with 36 rooms, 32 parking spaces, a recreation area, and a pool.
Cars parked at "El Hidalgo" Motel (1959) by Lamela StudioOriginal Source: Lamela Studio
From Car to Bed
Being a motel means that the rooms are independent of the central services and accessible from the parking area. At El Hidalgo, all rooms were doubles and arranged over one or two floors. The single-story rooms were paired, isolated, and connected by covered walkways.
Dining room at "El Hidalgo" Motel (1959) by Lamela StudioOriginal Source: Lamela Studio
The First Motel in Spain?
Yes and no. Just 30 kilometers away is the Parador de Manzanares, which retains some elements of what was the original roadside hostel from 1931. A network of 12 hostels opened on various highways between 1931 and 1936 was the first trial of hotels for drivers in Spain.
Brochure "Rutas por España", English edition (1940) by Colección Martin-Crespo de Historia del TurismoOriginal Source: General dictorate of Tourism
Reasonable Similarities
What does that entrance canopy remind us of? The references to the hostels of the 1930s seem evident. The rationalist language and architectural modernity formally link both buildings and provide a common thread in what are called "automobile architectures."
Brochure of the Motel ""El Hidalgo" (1966) by Colección Martin-Crespo de Historia del TurismoOriginal Source: Meliá Hotels brochure
El Hidalgo Brochure
This undated brochure, part of the Martín-Crespo collection, likely dates to 1966, reflecting El Hidalgo's early years under Meliá's ownership.
Text: Ana Moreno Garrido
Translations: Elena Araujo Díaz de Terán
Digitization and assembly: Eugenia Martín-Crespo Rodríguez
Images: Estudio Lamela Arquitectos
Dedicated to Mercedes Martín-Crespo Díaz
With the collaboration of the Diego de Sagredo Foundation
