Best Luxury Hotels in Andalucía

The Gran Hotel Miramar has brought 5-star glamour back to Malaga capital, the birthplace of Picasso. Opened in 1926 by Alfonso XIII, the hotel has been completely restored and the new interior design is different for each floor being decorated in a different style, these being either Arabic, Mediterranean or Modernist. Book one of the extraordinary signature suites, the Crown Suite (with a circular bed!); or the Royal Suite with its exceptional and expansive private, sea-facing terrace. This hotel is situated in the heart of the city of Malaga, so there are plenty of shops and museums within walking distance.

Soho is the creative nexus of the Mediterranean city of Malaga, and at the heart of this artsy city-centre neighbourhood is the Icon Malabar, a 4-star boutique hotel with style flair and a playful sense of creativity. Icon Malabar Malaga is a flagship property, 70 stylish rooms in a classic building in the vibrant Soho quarter, just a block away from the new Antonio Banderas Theatre, and minutes to the city’s Contemporary Art Centre.

Perhaps one of Malaga’s most revered boutique hotels; the Palacio Solecio was once the former residence of distinguished public figures. The 18th Century Andalusian Palace has been carefully renovated and is very much in keeping with its original architectural and artistic style. Centrally located in the unique Calle Granada, in the old Jewish quarter, the Palacio Solecio boasts a selection of elegant and inviting rooms ranging from bright and airy doubles through to The Tower – a secluded and intimate room with access to a private rooftop terrace.  Gastronomy at the Palacio Solecio is a sophisticated experience at the Balausta restaurant where Michelin-starred chef José Carlos García’s showcases the finest Andalusian dishes through his passion for local produce, tradition and innovative techniques. Breakfasts, aperitifs, lunches and dinners can all be enjoyed in the restaurant’s exquisite interior arcaded courtyard under the light of the glass-domed roof. Relax with an exceptional cocktail, sip on a glass of champagne in the atmospheric cocktail bar.

Casa del Limonero is a remarkable boutique guesthouse hotel, set in a historic Sevillian mansion, meticulously restored to highlight its striking architectural features including Mudéjar arches and central courtyard fountain. Tucked away on one of the Santa Cruz quarter’s quietest streets, near the Royal Academy of Literature and within sight of the Giralda bell tower and Seville Cathedral, it surrounds guests with layers of culture, design, and history.

Sierra Nevada starts the winter season with the much-anticipated arrival of a new destination hotel, Maribel. This reimagined alpine ski chalet opens under the new ownership and management of Puente Romano Beach Resort and Marbella Club, responsible for the renowned El Lodge Ski & Spa. Ideally located at the foot of the slopes, Maribel is the sophisticated ski and après ski chalet with a mix of high-altitude fun both on and off the piste for families, friends, and winter sports enthusiasts. With a season that lasts until the start of spring and coincides with the winter sports period of the Sierra Nevada resort, Maribel will have 29 rooms and suites, including the signature Maribel Penthouse Suite. Situated at 2,250 metres, with direct access to the Maribel and Águila slopes, Maribel offers its guests the perfect plan on and off the pistes. Once at this alpine lifestyle hotel, guests will find a compelling blend of wellness and dining. The hotel’s lounge and bar, with a ski-in/ski-out outdoor terrace, promises a unique après ski atmosphere. Maribel’s restaurant provides a ‘dining club’ experience with an alpine flavour. There’s even a Nordic-inspired spa where guests can rest their weary muscles after a day on the slopes and unwind under the stars.

A boutique ski-season hotel, El Lodge’s architecture is modelled on the traditional chalet, but with a chic personality infused by its owners, Marbella Club. Inside the Finnish wood building, you’ll find 20 bedrooms with Natura Bissé bath products, iPads, iPod docks and Nespresso machines, decorated with cowhide rugs, fur cushions and antler chandeliers, plus a Smeg fridge on every floor. Outside is a pool and wooden hot tub (from which steam rises invitingly on a cold day) and a sauna with impressive views. The main restaurant, bar, lounge and terrace all serve dishes crafted with low-mileage ingredients and there’s a games room to keep the kids busy.

Close to Marbella’s Marina and main attractions, Hotel Don Pepe Gran Melia offers guests one of the most luxurious hotel experiences in Marbella. With its serene gardens and beachfront access as well as cheerful and spacious rooms the Hotel Don Pepe Gran Melia is the perfect place for guests to relax in luxury. The hotel’s modern and open rooms have a range of views from the sea to the mountains. The unique RedLevel experience caters for those guests who are seeking the most luxurious experience. RedLevel offers guests tailormade VIP treatment with access to exclusive VIP areas, priority booking and round-the-clock assistance. Joining forces with the acclaimed cosmetics brand Tacha Beauty the hotel’s spa and wellness centre provides guests with world-class wellness facilities, it is the perfect place to relax and decompress. With 2 outdoor swimming pools, a gym, a golf course just moments away and live music in the hotel’s bars, there is always something for guests to do. The hotel’s Erre and Urrechu grill is a carnivore and wine enthusiast’s dream offering the ultimate grill experience for guests. Guests can also retire to the hotel’s Audrey cocktail bar for bespoke cocktails and mouthwatering pastries. The Tahini restaurant on the hotel’s seafront terrace also offers guests the chance to dine on delicious Asian cuisine whilst watching the sunset over the divine Costa del Sol.

Situated in the centre of Marbella the iconic El Fuerte Marbella has played host to the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Walt Disney. With the Plaza de los Naranjos only a 5-minute walk away and the San Luis Castle occupying an area in the hotel’s grounds, El Fuerte is the best place from which to explore Marbella. Despite the hotel’s rich heritage, its interior, designed by renowned Chilean designer Jaime Beriestain, is tasteful and modern. Every inch of the hotel’s interior and rooms has been perfectly curated to give guests the ultimate luxury experience. The hotel has a plethora of facilities and restaurants. Le Marche restaurant serves exquisite Mediterranean food as does the Levante Restaurant, both priding themselves on their use of local ingredients. The hotel’s Soleo restaurant is the perfect seafood restaurant for all guests and the hotel’s Coffee House run by Adrian Fernandez provides guests with delicious coffees and pastries.

Part of the Marriott group, this hotel is one of the finest in the city. Declared an artistic and historic monument, the building was once the Santa Paula Convent (in the 16th century) and the Casa Morisca (in the 17th century). Its restaurant, El Claustro, is the former convent refectory, now home to a modern dining concept. 66 rooms and seven suites (some of which offer full accessibility) now occupy a total of five floors, with minibars and cable TV alongside beamed ceilings, wooden floors and views framed by arched windows. There’s also a fitness centre on-site and around-the-clock room service.

Cristine Bedfor Malaga is a creatively restored and decorated 1871 mansion, a new boutique 27-room guest house hotel that resonated with an imaginative world of storytelling and elegant hospitality. Opened this June at the corner of Calle Granada and Calle Méndez Núñez in Malaga’s historic old town, this enchanting property is the latest creation from Cristina Lozano. Each Cristine Bedfor property tells a chapter from the fictional life of Cristine Bedfor, and here in Malaga, we discover her childhood adventures on the floating island of Clementine

A 350-hectare luxury estate in the Sierra de Loja between Málaga and Granada, reimagined by Unico Hotels as the ultimate Andalusian countryside retreat. The cortijo features 73 uniquely designed rooms and suites arranged like a charming white village, Michelin Guide acclaimed La Finca restaurant, Flow Spa with heated pool and hammam, plus extensive activities from horseback riding across rolling hills of olive groves and oak forests, or a visit to the local organic caviar farm. Michelin Guide acclaimed La Finca restaurant with chef Fernando Arjona and maître d’ José Briones serving exceptional Andalusian cuisine featuring Riofrío caviar, Iberian ham, and regional specialities. El Mirador poolside restaurant for regional classics including gazpacho and wood-fired Iberian secreto. Garden Lounge for breakfast. Pop-up experiences include BBQ nights with live flamenco and Andalusian guitar performances.

Found on an elegant street in the historic old town, La Ciudadela Maison Ardois is a new 9-room luxury, boutique hotel in Marbella’s picturesque centre. Marbella’s old town is an authentic Andalucian treasure, the real heart of the city, with ancient patio-style palatial homes, lining narrow streets, clustered around orange-fragrant, palm-shaded plazas, chapels, and churches. It is in one of these stunning mansion houses that hotel group La Ciudadela has created Maison Ardois, an elegant, upscale hotel. The hotel includes a ground-floor gourmet restaurant, Thaissence, as well as a stylish roof terrace for cocktails and light bites.