When a company is looking for a venue for a corporate event in the Pyrenees, typically faces the same challenge: finding a venue that serves as a professional hub, offers attendees a memorable experience and handles the logistics seamlessly. Meetings, accommodation, dining, activities and relaxation, all in one place.
TheHotel Monasterio de Boltaña, one of the two 5-star hotels in the province of Huesca and designated a Historic Monument Hotel, combines all three elements in a 17th-century building on the banks of the River Ara, at the foot of the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. In this article, we explain what kind of MICE events can be held here, what venues and capacities are available, and why this setting transforms an ordinary conference into an experience that attendees will remember.
In summary: The Hotel Monasterio de Boltaña is a 5-star heritage hotel located in Boltaña (Sobrarbe, Huesca, Aragonese Pyrenees) with 11 event spaces, including a 400 m² 17th-century church with capacity for over 200 people and a 228 m² ballroom, 96 rooms, 40 villas, a 1,100 m² spa, a signature restaurant (Marboré) and a stunning natural setting. It is one of the most comprehensive MICE venues in the Pyrenees for conventions, incentives, team-building events and corporate retreats.
Why the Aragonese Pyrenees are gaining ground as a MICE destination
Madrid, Barcelona and Zaragoza account for the majority of corporate events in Spain. But there is a clear trend: more and more companies are looking for destinations offering nature, a unique identity and a distinctive experience for their conferences, kick-offs and incentive events. The Aragonese Pyrenees tick all three boxes.
The hotel’s location is particularly well suited to companies organising events across the country. Boltaña is approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes from Zaragoza, 2 hours from Pamplona, 3 hours from Bilbao or Barcelona, and around 4½ hours from Madrid. Zaragoza Airport is 123 km away, Huesca-Pirineos Airport is around 90 km away, and the airports in Barcelona, Bilbao and Madrid offer domestic and international connections.
In addition to this excellent accessibility, there is something else that is hard to match: a protected natural environment, right in the heart of Sobrarbe, designated a UNESCO Global Geopark, with the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park just a 30-minute drive away. For a business, this means being able to offer its staff or clients a genuine escape from the urban environment without compromising on five-star hotel facilities.
Types of corporate events held at the Hotel Monasterio de Boltaña
Every year, the hotel hosts a wide variety of MICE events. These are the most common:
Annual conferences and kick-off meetings
Corporate events for 50, 100 or 200 people, combining conference sessions with dining, accommodation and activities. The entire hotel can be booked exclusively for large groups seeking a private setting.
Meetings of the management committee and boards
For small groups (8–30 people), the more intimate rooms, such as the Vault Room or the Room with Natural Light, offer a discreet setting with complete privacy and the opportunity to combine focused work with relaxation.
Incentive trips
It is in the incentive format that the setting makes the biggest difference. A company that rewards its top salespeople or teams with a two- or three-day stay at a 17th-century monastery, complete with a spa, signature cuisine and hiking trails in Ordesa, is providing an experience that participants directly associate with the employer brand.
Team buildings and offsites
The hotel’s proximity to local companies specialising in adventure sports (rafting on the River Ara, canyoning, via ferrata, guided hiking, and mountain biking) makes it possible to organise authentic, bespoke team-building days. The hotel also has a specialist bike workshop and over 25 signposted routes.
Brand presentations and product launches
The 17th-century church and the original cloister provide a unique setting for product launches that need to stand out visually. For sectors such as the automotive, luxury, wine, gastronomy and fashion industries, this historic venue becomes part of the story.
Corporate retreats and immersive training programmes
More and more tech companies and consultancies are organising 3- to 5-day retreats that combine training, strategic sessions, mindfulness or leadership programmes with genuine rest. The 1,100 m² spa and the natural surroundings serve here as tools for productivity, not as mere extras.
Gala dinners and corporate events
Awards dinners, end-of-year celebrations, partner events and corporate anniversaries all find a setting rich in symbolic significance at the Marboré restaurant and within the grounds of the former monastery.
Venues for MICE events: 11 separate function rooms and outdoor areas
The hotel has 11 separate function rooms spread across the main building, the outdoor areas and the river. The total combined capacity allows us to host events ranging from a meeting for 8 people to a conference with hundreds of attendees.
This table summarises the capacities of the main venues:
| Space | Area | Theatre | Banquet | Cocktail | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Church (Virgen del Carmen) | 400 m² | — | — | +200 pax | 17th-century church, 220 guests, unique ceremonies and events |
| Mandala Hall | 228 m² | 100 | — | 200 | Private hall, terrace overlooking the River Ara, 2 projectors, stage and lectern |
| Somontano Hall | 172 m² | 60 | 100 | 100 | Versatile, ideal for corporate conferences and banquets |
| Cloister | 95 m² | — | — | 75 | Original 17th-century cloister, an iconic setting |
| Vault Hall | 78 m² | 40 | 34 | 50 | The monastery’s historic vault, exclusive events |
| Living room with natural light | 77,5 m² | 40 | 40 | 50 | High ceilings, separate entrance, plenty of natural light |
| Outdoor space by the river | — | — | — | 200 | A glass pyramid, cocktails al fresco, beside the River Ara |
Total combined capacity: Over 360 people in a conference-style layout with state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, 220 guests in the church, and up to 200 people at an outdoor cocktail reception beside the River Ara, with the glass pyramid as a distinctive feature.
Technical facilities in the rooms
The rooms are equipped with projectors, a screen, a stage and a lectern (which can be arranged to suit the space), Wi-Fi throughout the premises, air conditioning and the option of flexible layouts (theatre, classroom, U-shape, banquet, cocktail). The Mandala Room supports dual projection, making it ideal for corporate presentations using two screens simultaneously.
Corporate catering: the Marboré restaurant as a competitive advantage
Catering is often the aspect that attendees of a corporate event remember most, even more so than the content itself. The Hotel Monasterio de Boltaña offers a range of dining venues to meet all MICE requirements:
- Marboré Restaurant: signature cuisine featuring local produce from the Pyrenees and the Somontano region, served in a dining room with a vaulted ceiling in the former monastery. Ideal for gala dinners and corporate banquets.
- Buffet and service restaurant: for business breakfasts, quick lunches between sessions and dinners for large groups.
- El Rincón del Monasterio: a relaxed spot with a garden terrace in summer, open all day from 1 pm to 10.30 pm, perfect for extended coffee breaks or light snacks.
- Customised menus: our culinary team designs bespoke menus for each event, including welcome cocktails, working lunches, themed dinners, show cooking and Somontano wine tastings.
For companies with attendees who have specific dietary requirements (allergies, intolerances, vegetarian, vegan, kosher or halal diets), the events team will arrange bespoke menus.
Accommodation for attendees: 96 rooms and 40 villas
One of the major practical advantages of holding a corporate event at the Hotel Monasterio de Boltaña is that attendees stay in the same venue where the event takes place. This eliminates the need for travel, simplifies logistics for the organiser and enhances the attendee experience.
The hotel offers a range of accommodation options:
- Double rooms (25 m²) in the original 17th-century cloister, each one unique as they are housed in the monks’ former cells.
- Landscape and Deluxe rooms with views of the River Ara and the Pyrenees.
- Junior Suites of approximately 50 m² for executives and VIP guests.
- 42 m² villas with a private lounge, located 400 metres from the main building, ideal for small groups sharing accommodation.
- Family villas of over 80 m² with two separate double bedrooms, suitable for guests or specific arrangements.
In total, there are over 270 guest rooms on the premises, making it possible to book the entire hotel for large-scale corporate events.
Spas, nature and activities: the corporate event as a complete experience
A 1,100 m² spa The hotel’s wellness centre —recently refurbished as part of a total investment of over €9 million— features a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, hammam, relaxation area and personalised treatments. For corporate events, this means the option of private thermal circuits, massages for VIP guests or wellness programmes as part of the off-site event itself.
The events team can organise additional activities in the local area:
- Guided hiking in the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park.
- Rafting and a descent down the River Ara (one of the few rivers in the Pyrenees without dams).
- Canyoning in the Sierra de Guara, one of the areas with the most gorges in Europe.
- Mountain biking and cycle touring: the hotel is bike-friendly, with a workshop, individual bike storage and over 25 signposted routes.
- Cultural visits to medieval Aínsa, one of the prettiest villages in Spain, 8 km from the hotel.
- Somontano wine tastings and culinary experiences featuring local produce.
Why companies and agencies choose the Hotel Monasterio de Boltaña over other venues
When an event manager, an HR manager or a DMC agency is comparing options for a MICE event, they usually assess five criteria. The hotel meets all five:
1. The ability to accommodate the entire event in a single venue
Main hall, breakout rooms, accommodation, catering, gala dining, spa, activities and free on-site parking. There is no need to coordinate with external suppliers for the essentials.
2. Differentiation from generic venues
A five-star city hotel with functional meeting rooms can be found in many cities. A 17th-century monastery with a consecrated church, an original cloister and a glass pyramid beside a white-water river in the heart of the Pyrenees? Not so.
3. Price/ quality for corporate events
Operating costs in the Pyrenees are significantly lower than in Madrid or Barcelona, and the hotel offers competitive corporate rates for groups. This enables companies to provide a five-star experience within reasonable budgets, particularly when compared to equivalent venues in major cities or premium coastal destinations.
4. Team specialized in events
The hotel has a dedicated team for corporate events and weddings that supports every project from the initial briefing right through to on-site coordination. This reduces the organiser’s workload and minimises the risk of unforeseen issues.
5. Sustainability and brand identity
For companies that need to justify their choice of venue on the basis of ESG criteria or alignment with their mission, a heritage hotel situated in a UNESCO Global Geopark, serving locally sourced food and offering a genuine connection to the local area, is a compelling argument.
How to organise your corporate event at the Hotel Monasterio de Boltaña
The standard procedure for companies and agencies organising a MICE event at the hotel is as follows:
- Initial briefing: number of attendees, dates, event format, technical requirements, catering and additional activities.
- Tailored proposal: the events team draws up a proposal featuring venues, layouts, menus and experiences tailored to the event’s objectives.
- Site visit: we recommend visiting the hotel to check the setup on site before finalising the contr
- Pre-event coordination: the team works with the organiser in the run-up to the event, managing the rooming list, menus, audiovisuals and schedule.
- On-site coordination: during the event, a hotel coordinator will be on hand to assist the group with any requirements.
Contact details for the events department
Phone number: +34 974 50 80 00
Email: eventos@hotelmonasteriodeboltana.com
Address: Hotel Monasterio de Boltaña, 2 Latorrecilla Street, 22340 Boltaña, Huesca (Aragonese Pyrenees).
Frequently asked questions about corporate events and MICE at the Hotel Monasterio de Boltaña
What is the hotel’s maximum capacity for a corporate event?
The Hotel Monasterio de Boltaña can host corporate events for up to 360 people in a conference-style layout by combining several spaces, up to 200 people for an outdoor cocktail reception, and up to 220 guests in the church. For large groups, it is possible to book the entire hotel, which has 96 rooms and 40 villas.
What types of MICE events can be organised?
Conferences, annual kick-offs, executive committee meetings, incentive trips, team-building events, corporate retreats, immersive training sessions, product presentations, brand launches, gala dinners, awards dinners and corporate events.
Where is the Hotel Monasterio de Boltaña?
The hotel is located in Boltaña, in the Sobrarbe region (Huesca), in the Aragonese Pyrenees, on the banks of the River Ara and around 30 km from the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. It is approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes by road from Zaragoza, 2 hours from Pamplona and 3 hours from Barcelona.
Do you have meeting rooms equipped with audiovisual technology?
Yes. The hotel’s function rooms are equipped with projectors, screens, a stage, a lectern, air conditioning and Wi-Fi throughout the premises. The Mandala Room features dual projection, making it ideal for corporate presentations using two screens simultaneously.
Is it possible to book the entire hotel for a corporate event?
Yes, depending on the size of the group and availability. Full venue hire is common for large-scale corporate conferences, executive retreats and brand events that require exclusivity.
Can business meetings be combined with team-building activities in the countryside?
Yes, that’s one of the venue’s major advantages. The hotel organises activities such as rafting on the River Ara, canyoning in the Sierra de Guara, guided hikes in Ordesa, mountain biking and cycle touring, as well as culinary experiences featuring local produce.
Are there special menus available for guests with dietary requirements?
Yes. The catering team, led by the Marboré restaurant, designs bespoke menus to cater for allergies, food intolerances, vegetarian and vegan diets, and other specific requirements of guests.
When is the best time to organise a corporate event in the Aragonese Pyrenees?
The hotel is open all year round. Spring and autumn are the most recommended seasons for events that combine business meetings with outdoor activities, thanks to the mild temperatures. Summer is ideal for outdoor events and using the outdoor swimming pool. Winter offers the added attraction of snow-capped mountains and proximity to ski resorts (around 30 km away).
How much does a corporate event cost at the Hotel Monasterio de Boltaña?
The budget depends on the number of attendees, the number of nights, the venues booked, the catering arrangements and any additional activities. The hotel offers corporate rates tailored to each project. For a bespoke proposal, please contact the events department directly at eventos@hotelmonasteriodeboltana.com.
What makes the Hotel Monasterio de Boltaña different from other MICE venues in Spain?
It is one of only two five-star hotels in the province of Huesca; it has been designated a ‘Monument Hotel’ by the Government of Aragon; it is housed in a fully restored 17th-century monastery; and it is situated in the heart of the UNESCO Sobrarbe-Pyrenees Global Geopark. This combination of historical heritage, five-star facilities, a protected natural setting and the capacity to host events for over 360 people is not easily found in other venues within the Spanish MICE market.
Turn your next corporate event into an unforgettable experience
A corporate event is one of the most powerful tools a company has for bringing teams together, building customer loyalty, launching products and establishing its employer brand. The venue where it is held is part of the message. A 17th-century monastery in the Aragonese Pyrenees, complete with a spa, signature cuisine and a national park just thirty minutes away, is a message in itself.
If you are considering the Hotel Monasterio de Boltaña as a venue for your next conference, corporate retreat, incentive trip or team-building event, our events team can put together a bespoke proposal for you within a few days. Please email eventos@hotelmonasteriodeboltana.com or call+34 974 50 80 00.
