We enter the region of Castilla y León among poplars, oaks, holm oaks, red poppies and different types of birds, and arrive at Abarca de Campos. In this charming village in the province of Palencia (Villa de la música), within a privileged and peaceful environment, we find La Fábrica del Canal.
This exclusive place is located within an antique flour factory that was in operation from 1854 to 1979, situated on the edge of the Canal de Castilla, it supplied flour to northern ports and, from there, to international markets.
A historic building perfectly renovated to create this hotel and gastronomic space that combines, in perfect harmony, the rustic and industrial with elegance and comfort …
We sat on its cozy terrace, between the murmur of the water and the peacefulness of the countryside and, with a good glass of wine in our hands, we spoke, first hand, with the creator of this singular space, Katrin Born, of Sensaciones para Recordar S.L.
Good morning, this is such a charming hotel. How did the idea of creating this accommodation and gastronomic space in this old flour factory come about?
The idea arose because we had the vision of recovering the historical heritage to turn it into a venue with rooms, events and experiences, which become SENSATIONS TO REMEMBER.
Tell us, what spaces does La Fábrica del Canal consist of and what can we find in them?
It consists of a Lobby Bar, where you can have cocktails, aperitifs, digestives; a restaurant with avant-garde cuisine; 10 rooms; an event room; an outdoor terrace and a Chill-Out garden with a vintage caravan; soon, a deck will be built above the water, with sun loungers and a pier for our rowing boats, pedals, kayaks, stand up paddle, etc.
This is a very extensive facility. I heard that it was you, who designed the rooms and different spaces of the hotel. What inspired this design and what characterizes each of the rooms of the hotel?
I played with modernity and distinction. All this was inspired by an industrial building and museum such as a 19th century Flour Factory.
What kind of services does La Fábrica del Canal offer to celebrate a wedding or any other type of event?
We have many services, some of them, in relation to creation, design and planning of events, are:
- Wedding Planner
- Event Room
- Exteriors
- Ham cutter, oyster opener, sushi man, trolley or table of sweets and chocolate fountain…
- Photographer
- Vintage car rental
- Chauffeur
- Bus
- DJ
- Floral Decoration
- Audio-visual Services
- Audio-Video Technics
I’ve heard very well about your gourmet chef, we want to know a little more about your gourmet restaurant, on what are your dishes based? What is your star creation? Do you work with closed menus or do you generate personalized menus according to the preferences of the groom?
We are based on the Market Cuisine, fresh products and also from the area. We respect the product as much as possible and try to add more organic products every day. We do not use fifth range or pre-made products, we work with our own sauces and bases. Our star creation? Habitas and Tuna Parpatana. For events and weddings we have several closed menus, but we always listen to the client and their tastes. We can adapt our menus for coeliacs, vegans, vegetarians etc.
Another question. Which do you consider the best time of the year to have a wedding in La Fábrica del Canal? How far in advance should the couples get in touch with you for their wedding?
A precious time is autumn because of the reflection in the water of the chromatic range of the trees that border the canal. Of course, summer is also a very beautiful time and you can enjoy this small oasis above the waters of the Canal de Castilla.
That sounds very bucolic and romantic… I understand that the couples could celebrate their religious or civil wedding here, how would you manage each of them?
We like to create special and different weddings. We have a very well preserved Mudejar church 300 m away with one of the best Iberian music organs in Spain (according to the renowned organist Francis Chapelet). From there we suggest a walk along the Canal by boat or horse carriage to reach our Garden-Chill Out, where guests and engaged couples will be greeted with a band from the Canal itself.
We organize the Civil Wedding in the garden outdoors or between the machines of our historical building. And the banquet and party of course in our event room.
And, tell us, how would the process be from the moment the couple selects the space until the wedding is celebrated? Do you have your own professionals to carry out the different preparations for the event?
We have our commercial department, a design department and a Wedding Planner department in the main offices of our group Sensaciones para Recordar S.L., in Madrid, which is always in contact with the bride and groom. In the Venues, there are other professionals such as chef, kitchen team, maitre hotel, waiters and maidens, photographer, DJ, hairdressers, etc.
In your experience, would the organization of a wedding for foreign clients be, in any sense, different from the preparation of a wedding for a national client?
We understand that the foreign client looks for a differentiation and when he has chosen a venue in Spain, he looks for a connection with the DNA of the space. In this case, La Fábrica del Canal internalizes all the values of the land in which it is located: land of fields, granary of Spain, a flour factory in the Canal de Castilla which is the most important engineering work of the 18th Century located in the Villa de la Música, Abarca de Campos…
On the other hand, a gastronomy based on market cuisine and a reference to the flavours and products of the land, the wood of the building, which it presents in all the rooms, and all the original machinery will make the client feel captivated by the space. Finally, when you conclude your stay at the Canal Factory, you will have lived Sensations to Remember forever – which is our motto.
What kind of complementary activities can be carried out and does La Fábrica del Canal offer to enjoy this privileged environment?
We offer aquatic activities such as rowing boats, kayaking, paddle surfing, etc. We also offer bicycle rides along the Canal, horseback rides or floats. For bird lovers, we offer trips to the “Lagunas de la Nava”. On the other hand, a very important asset is the Romanesque Palencian.
Finally, what do you think makes The Canal Factory different from other types of spaces when it comes to choosing it to celebrate the most special day of your life, your wedding?
We have observed the rehabilitation of other historic spaces and La Fabrica del Canal differs from the others by the conservation of all its industrial buildings. All the machinery is kept on the 4 floors of the building and between these machines we offer the gastronomic experience and unique events. This environment makes it a holistic experience, which will surely become Sensations to Remember.
Thank you very much for receiving us so kindly at La Fábrica del Canal, let us move two centuries back in history and enjoy these exclusive views and exceptional physical and gastronomic sensations, a pleasure.
The pleasure has been ours, your welcome back anytime, feel like home.
This is our stroll through the impressions of this old flour factory and its privileged environment. According to our criterion, one of the best spaces to carry out a dream wedding in the interior of Spain, surrounded by nature and the most beautiful history.
If you want a wedding in a historic and exclusive space. Let yourself be carried away by the sensations of La Fábrica del Canal, you will surely get it right.
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