For the past 15 years, Victor Madera, a Spanish doctor who amassed his wealth in healthcare, and his wife, Maria Obdulia Fernández, have been buying and meticulously restoring historic homes across Spain.
Their impressive collection of around two dozen properties includes a 13th-century castle in Extremadura and a 20th-century Modernist villa in Asturias.
Three years ago, the couple gathered with their four daughters to brainstorm how to best utilize these magnificent buildings and ensure their preservation for future generations.
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This family meeting sparked the creation of the Vestige Collection, a luxury hospitality brand inspired by Spain’s Paradores—a network of state-owned hotels established by King Alfonso XIII in 1928.
The family’s goal is to safeguard Spain’s cultural heritage while offering guests a luxurious stay.
“For my parents, saving and restoring these buildings is a deep passion,” says Claudia, the second-oldest daughter.
The inaugural property, Son Vell, opened last June on a sprawling 450-acre estate in northwestern Menorca. The estate’s long driveway slowly unveils its grandeur: past olive groves and citrus orchards, a stone gate gives way to an elegant 18th-century, three-story villa constructed from golden marés limestone.
The hotel features 34 spacious suites, most located in stone bungalows that were once farm buildings. Each suite boasts a king bed, handmade furniture, and textiles, with many offering private walled-in terraces and gardens.
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Guests can enjoy horseback rides along the nearby Camí de Cavalls, a 115-mile trail encircling Menorca, or take a short 10-minute walk to the beautiful Cala Son Vell beach.
Vestige Collection recently added a second property, the 11-bedroom Palacio de Figueras in Asturias, which can be reserved for exclusive use. The property comes with a chef and a housekeeper, and a concierge can arrange excursions to the Picos de Europa, Spain’s tallest mountains, and nearby beaches.
Obdulia Fernández, who manages the design of each Vestige property, meticulously researches the original materials to ensure accurate restoration. For Palacio de Figueras, she sought out period-specific doors and commissioned artisans to craft frames for the small windows.
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Influenced by Belgian artist and designer Axel Vervoordt, Fernández emphasizes minimalist, standout pieces in her designs. For instance, she placed a bonsai tree in the lounge and a painting of the manor’s original owner in one of the bedrooms.
This year, the family plans to unveil two more hotels, Son Ermitá and Son Binideufá, on neighboring estates in north-central Menorca, along with a six-bedroom exclusive-use villa in the foothills of Mallorca’s Tramuntana Mountains.
Future plans include properties in Almería and Extremadura. “We are excited to encourage travelers to visit the wilder, more remote corners of Spain,” Claudia says.
A version of this story first appeared in the June 2024 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline “Live Like Royalty in Menorca.”
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