Canfranc Station Hotel: Reawakening of an abandoned train station

This luxury hotel, deep in the Aragon Valley, is a beautiful example of faded glory and grandeur. Surprisingly, it was an abandoned train station before the world saw it as a luxury retreat. The inauguration was attended by the King of Spain and the President of the French Republic.

Location

You’ll find this hotel in the small village of Canfranc in Huesca province. During its glorious days, the station had welcomed big dignitaries and celebrities. Even in those times, the train was replete with all luxurious amenities, such as big ballrooms, elite restaurants, and a casino.

History of the station

Canfranc Station bore the brunt of World War II. It witnessed a number of arrests, and gold trafficking. Later in 1970, the station closed its doors for everyone and was left abandoned for several decades. It was also a Nazi stronghold once, and was taken over by them before it was eventually abandoned.

Later, the Barcelo Hotel Group took notice of this abandoned station and had an idea of transforming it into an opulent abode. After several years of renovation, the property welcomed its first guests in January 2023.
The abandoned station was a major attraction for photography enthusiasts even when it was not a hotel. Designed by Spanish architect Fernando Ramirez de Dampierre, the property today is attracting visitors from across the globe for all the right reasons.

A faded tale

Things ended for the Canfranc Station after the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 and later, World War II. And the post-war era worsened things for the station. In 1970, a devastating fire ravaged a significant portion of the station and marked the final end of the station.

The rebirth

Today, the Canfranc Station Hotel has gone through a captivating transformation. It has turned into a vibrant destination and welcoming visitors from around the globe. The rooms here are not only stylish but also offer a peek into the past. The nostalgia that surrounds the property is quite unique.