About us

Mardenit was never meant to be a hotel.

Back in 2017, I was living in Madrid, working as a painter—immersed in the art world—when my father, Salvador, a lifelong baker, called me with a simple request.

He had built a house across from his bakery in our hometown of Orba, brick by brick, with the help of local interior designer Xavi Pastor. It was a slow, thoughtful project. Beautiful, but still empty. It needed life, soul, identity.

So I offered to lend him some of my paintings. 

But then something shifted.

Instead of hanging art, I decided to paint directly onto the walls—murals inspired by the surrounding landscapes I grew up with. The sea, the rice fields, the mountains, the gorges… all within arm’s reach of this quiet corner of La Marina Alta. Each room would be a tribute to nature, transformed into a canvas.

That’s how it started.

What followed was unexpected. I designed a logo with a friend, created a name, and without really meaning to, I had started a hotel.

I had no experience in hospitality—but I knew what I didn’t want.

I didn’t want uniform corridors and impersonal greetings.
I didn’t want “Room 927, Mr. Smith.”

I wanted warmth. Character. A place that felt deeply human.
So I brought everything I knew to the table: art, nature, storytelling, gastronomy, and wine.

We opened our doors in the summer of 2017, quietly. I was still living in Madrid, commuting back and forth, until the second anniversary. Eventually, I moved back to Orba, turned my studio into part of the project, and enrolled in a Master’s in Hotel Management.

Then the pandemic hit.
But somehow, we made it through.

And here we are.

After many twists and turns, I believe the heart of Mardenit is defined by a few simple values:

Authenticity. Warmth. Nature. Uniqueness. A love for the simple things.

Being away for so many years helped me see my home with fresh eyes.
Now, through Mardenit, I try to give back to this land by working hand in hand with local artisans, winemakers, farmers, and cooks who share the same vision: that quality comes from care.

I feel incredibly lucky to share this journey with you—helping you disconnect, breathe deeply, and discover a corner of the Mediterranean that’s still wild, generous, and quietly magical.

We may be small, but every detail matters.
And we’re planting good seeds here.

Rubén M. Riera
Founder & Host

Who’s behind Mardenit

Rubén, the artist and founder, leads the project alongside Magda, host and cook. Born in Morocco, Magda has spent half her life on the southern side of the Mediterranean and the other half here in La Marina Alta. Her breakfasts? Handmade, slow, and deeply nourishing.

And Salvador—the original baker? Still part of it all. Especially in the garden, where he insists every plant has its place (and he’s usually right).

We also work with a network of incredible people: farmers, chefs, winemakers, beekeepers, olive oil producers... people with names, stories, and an adventurous spirit.
You’ll meet them if you come. They’re part of the experience too.

Recognition

In January 2023, we received the award for Best Rural Hotel in the Valencian Community from SER Viajeros, a national travel programme.
We don’t believe in “best” as a label—but if this feels like your kind of place, it just might be the best for you.

And really, that’s all that matters.