Hotel Raïmblanc: A Soft Life Rooted in the Valencian Countryside
Wunmi’s story of building a boutique hotel, a new rhythm, and a life abroad.
Hey Everyone,
Three years ago, I did what I always seem to be doing: connecting people. As a true introvert at heart, I conserve energy by gathering friends together all at once—a strategic act of social preservation. It was during one of those gatherings, on a long and inviting rooftop terrace in Valencia’s city center, that I brought together all the women entrepreneurs I had met during my first year in the city (fifth in Spain). We formed what I jokingly called Women Entrepreneurs in Valencia (a name that was meant to be a placeholder, but somehow stuck).
Two years ago, Wunmi, a Nigerian medical doctor in career transition, joined our circle. Within two months, she casually shared that she was thinking about buying a hotel.
We blinked.
Most of us were running online businesses. Brick-and-mortar hospitality in a new country? That was another level of bold.
And then, maybe a month later: the purchase had gone through.
We were floored—not just by the leap, but by the speed. I’ve spent months (years, even) mulling over decisions that didn’t involve real estate, Spanish bureaucracy, or staffing. But Wunmi (and her partner) moved with calm curiosity, walking into a new industry with a level of grace I could only dream of ever embodying. Her clarity emboldened all of us.
Since then, I’ve led group retreats at Hotel Raïmblanc, a boutique hotel tucked into the peaceful village of Villargordo del Cabriel in Valencia’s wine country. With just eight rooms, it was an ideal space for intentional gatherings—slow mornings, shared meals, wine tastings, hiking, horseback riding, yoga, and late-night chats in front of the fireplace. Raïmblanc holds a quiet power: everything about it—its landscape, its pace, its hospitality—invites you to soften.
In this Conversation From Elsewhere, Wunmi reflects on what it means to build not just a business, but a life abroad with integrity, intention, and deep respect for the land and community you step into.
On Origins and Intention
Wunmi was shaped by the cultural cadences of two worlds—Nigeria and the U.S.—and arrived in Valencia through what she calls “a series of happenstance events during a time when [her] family yearned for a different way of being.”
Before moving abroad, she imagined more safety, more freedom. And life abroad has, in many ways, delivered. But what surprised her most was the depth of relief that came from the cultivation of a life abroad:
“Navigating uncertainty and building from scratch is very hard—but it can be breathtakingly joyful if you know where to direct your attention.”
Together with her partner, Wunmi sought space to slow down, to exist without compromise, and to live in alignment with their values. Hotel Raïmblanc became the container for that vision.
“There was a desire to create something real, rooted, and restorative. We didn’t just want to participate in the economy here—we wanted to contribute meaningfully to the ecosystem.”
On Business, Belonging, and Building with Purpose
Raïmblanc is more than a cozy boutique hotel in a charming Spanish pueblo. It’s a curated experience rooted in belonging, stewardship, and intentional connection. Guests are invited to unwind, reconnect, and rediscover joy in community and nature, whether they are resident foreigners, Valencian locals, or curious travelers looking for an experience off the well-worn path of Spanish (perhaps especially Valencian) tourism.
“As lifelong immigrants, we understand what it means to seek home—not just a physical space, but to be seen, welcomed, and part of something meaningful.”
Wunmi speaks of success not in revenue goals or occupancy rates (although those are important too), but in moments: guests who feel "at home," strangers who become friends by the fireplace, stories shared across tables. For her, success is relational.
“One of my favorite things is when guests extend their stay because they’ve found peace here. That, to me, is the most honest kind of feedback.”
On the Energy of Strategic Slowness and Softness
The "soft life" birthed through the acquisition of Raïmblanc isn’t about luxury—it’s about rhythm, boundaries, and mission clarity. Wunmi and her partner resist the pressure to scale quickly, opting instead for depth over breadth:
“A soft life is about intentionality, ease, and presence... choosing quality over quantity and resisting the pressure to grow at the expense of our values or well-being.”
The pace of Valencia supports this approach—a cosmopolitan-lite city with deeply rooted traditions, where people value the cultivation and maintenance of relationships, whether over chats over coffee, walks in the park, or the delight of sobremesa-style meals. Wunmi calls it a treasure—a city framed by mountains, vineyards, and coastlines, where the cultural reverence for slowness is contagious.
“Valencians have this beautiful resistance to urgency. It’s taught me a lot about what truly needs to happen now—and what can wait.”
On Living Well
Living abroad has taught Wunmi that "home is not a place—it’s a way of being." It has confirmed her resilience and deepened her faith in the beauty of surrender. Through Raïmblanc, she is not just hosting guests; she’s co-creating community.
“To cultivate a life well-lived abroad is to live with intention, in alignment with one’s values. It’s to invest in and enrich the local community—not as a visitor, but as a co-creator.”
One of the most vivid expressions of that co-creation is the upcoming Kora Retreat—a gathering of artists, musicians, writers, and storytellers, grounded in West African culture and hosted at Raïmblanc. It’s not just an event—it’s a vision in motion.
“This event represents everything Raïmblanc stands for: a multicultural crossroads where artists of all kinds—musicians, writers, dancers, makers—can gather, exchange, and feel nourished.”
To learn more or book your own stay: Hotel Raïmblanc
Follow along: @hotelraimblanc
Be Well,
Christine