Vestige Collection: Preserving Spain’s Heritage
Over the past 15 years, Victor Madera, a successful Spanish doctor, and his wife, Maria Obdulia Fernández, have dedicated themselves to acquiring and meticulously restoring historic homes across Spain.
Their impressive portfolio now includes a 13th-century castle in Extremadura and a 20th-century Modernist villa in Asturias.
Three years ago, the couple and their four daughters gathered to deliberate on the future of these remarkable properties. They aimed to ensure their preservation and ongoing maintenance for generations to come.
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The Birth of Vestige Collection
This family discussion led to the creation of Vestige Collection, a hospitality brand. Drawing inspiration from Spain’s Paradores, a network of state-owned luxury hotels established by King Alfonso XIII in 1928, Vestige Collection seeks to safeguard Spain’s cultural heritage while offering an upscale guest experience.
Claudia, the second-oldest daughter, emphasizes her parents’ passion: “For my parents, saving and restoring these buildings is a deep passion.”
First Hotel: Son Vell
The first hotel under the Vestige Collection, Son Vell, opened last June. Located on a sprawling 450-acre estate in northwestern Menorca, the property is introduced via a long driveway that winds through olive groves and citrus orchards. Eventually, a stone gate comes into view, revealing an elegant 18th-century three-story villa constructed from golden marés limestone.
The hotel features 34 spacious suites, primarily housed in stone bungalows that were formerly farm buildings. Each suite is adorned with a king-sized bed, handmade furniture, and unique textiles, with many offering private walled terraces and gardens.
Guests can enjoy horseback rides along the nearby Camí de Cavalls, a picturesque 115-mile trail encircling Menorca. The stunning Cala Son Vell beach is just a 10-minute walk from the property.
Second Property: Palacio de Figueras
Vestige Collection’s second property is the Palacio de Figueras in Asturias, a luxurious 11-bedroom estate available exclusively for private use. Guests at Palacio de Figueras are provided with a chef and housekeeper, and a concierge service can arrange excursions to the Picos de Europa, Spain’s tallest mountain range, as well as to nearby beaches.
Design and Restoration
Maria Obdulia Fernández is at the helm of the design for each Vestige property, meticulously researching original materials to ensure authentic restoration. For the Palacio de Figueras, she sourced period-appropriate doors and enlisted artisans to craft tiny frames for the small window openings.
Drawing inspiration from Belgian artist and designer Axel Vervoordt, she explains, “I tend to build the room around one special, minimalist piece.” This approach is evident in her placement of a bonsai tree in the lounge and a painting of the manor’s original owner in one of the bedrooms.
Future Plans
The family’s vision for Vestige Collection continues to expand. This year, they plan to open two new hotels, Son Ermitá and Son Binideufá, on adjacent estates in north-central Menorca, along with a six-bedroom exclusive-use villa in the foothills of Mallorca’s Tramuntana Mountains.
Looking ahead, they are eyeing properties in Almería and Extremadura. Claudia expresses the family’s excitement about these projects: “We are excited to encourage travelers to visit the wilder, more remote corners of Spain.”
This article originally appeared in the June 2024 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline “Live Like Royalty in Menorca.”
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