Hello and welcome to Villa Retiro.
Popularly known as “the Millionaire’s tower”, Villa Retiro belonged to the Martís, a Xerta family who returned from America after making a fortune. This modernist-colonial style building was built in different stages in the nineteenth century. The site was completed in 1892, a year that appears on a slab in the old gateway to the estate. The architect is believed to be Josep Fontserè i Mestre, who was Gaudí’s master.
The building is surrounded by centuries-old trees and plants brought over from South America by the former owners. In the garden there is also a lake and a cave built in 1904 that is fed with the water that flows down the Fonts irrigation canal.
During the battle of the Ebro in the Spanish civil war, the building was used as a hospital and suffered some deterioration.
Since 2006 it has hosted Hotel Villa Retiro. The interior of the building was altered considerably with the reform that turned it into a luxury resort. Despite this, the white marble staircase with its intricate wrought iron railing, the chimney, a white tiled cistern, its hydraulic tile flooring on the first floor, some fine wooden doors and part of the original furniture were preserved. Led by chef Francesc López, Villa Retiro has been the first restaurant in the Terres de l’Ebre region to hold one Michelin star.