This contemporary duplex is a subtle, smoky remake of the classic, two-story, village borda (a traditional agricultural storehouse), in the heart of a historical village. Signed by the family-run Danish design firm Vipp, creators of sleek kitchens, cool lighting and contemporary furniture, the serene mountain outpost is one of a handful of what Vipp has termed “one room wonders,” or live-in designs of historical architectural significance, ranging from farm to palazzo to loft to shelter.

The one-of-a-kind porthole windows peering out from this completely updated Andorran guesthouse telescope out onto Adorra’s vertiginous valleys and jagged peaks, daring you to depart its comforts and head into the mountains. Countered inside by a subtle, granite-colored interior, the cozy designer remake, created in collaboration with local designers at Bau Studio, features a Scandi-inspired interior. Accented by exposed wood, it offers an updated, rustic-chic stock tank tub, and a cozy, wood-fired central hearth to complement its high-altitude setting. 

AROUND

This traditional stone house is located in the capital of the co-principality of Andorra, a tiny nation high up in the Eastern Pyrenees, between France and Spain. A European tax haven, the capital village of Andorra la Vella offers loads of duty-free shopping options within its austere stone buildings. Also a gateway to all things rugged and outdoorsy, it is Europe’s highest capital at over 1,000 meters altitude and is home to more than 65 summits over 2,000 meters high. The old town dates from the 16th century, a cobbled maze that is home to the Casa de la Vall, which houses a museum and serves as the city hall. 

Ski resorts, hiking trails, and thermal baths encircle Andorra la Vella. Three ski resorts—Grandvalira, Vallnord-Pal Arinsal, and Ordino-Arcalis—offer 305 kilometers of ski slopes, a vast offering given that Andorra itself is only 468 total square kilometers. A hiker’s nirvana, its trails range from relatively easy loops on the outskirts of town to multi-day, high-elevation circuits. Tobacco fields cover the country’s lower elevations, and Andorra also has a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Madriu-Perafita-Clalor Valley. The Caldea Spa in the capital is Europe’s largest thermal spa, its mineral-rich waters and hydrotherapy pools welcoming over 400,000 visitors annually.

LOCATION

Andorra La Vella, Andorra. Nearest airport: Barcelona (2½ to 3 hours' drive)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Year round