Best Luxury Hotels in Spain

The W Barcelona’s spinnaker-shaped tower sits where Barcelona gives way to the sea at the end of Barceloneta beach and, along with the Sagrada Familia, it’s one of the city’s most recognisable silhouettes. 473 rooms and suites all offer uninterrupted views across Barcelona’s skyline or the open sea, while the facilities are a resort in themselves: ranging from the WET Deck with multiple pools and terraces, Salt Beach Club, to its vast AWAY Spa complex. Dining runs from Noxe, the 26th-floor Japanese restaurant and sky bar, to the Peruvian COYA and the grill cooking at Fire. For beachfront presence and that unmistakable shape on the skyline, little else in the city competes.

Palladium Hotel Group has taken its most famous address on Ibiza’s longest beach and reimagined it as The Site, with the grand hotel BLESS The Site at the heart of it. With elegant Lázaro Rosa-Violán designed rooms and suites, dedicated COYA accommodation and destination dining, a stay at BLESS The Site is Playa d’en Bossa for a new era

OKU Andalusia brings barefoot luxury to a quiet stretch of beachfront at La Alcaidesa, between Gibraltar and Sotogrande on the western edge of the Southern Spain’s Costa del Sol. Expect saltwater infinity pools terraced down the hillside, a 2,000 sqm spa, Nikkei-inspired dining at Teyo and the new Alma Beach Club, with views across the Strait to Africa.

Few Barcelona hotels are works of art in themselves, but Hotel España Ocean Drive is exactly that. Opened as the Fonda España in 1859 and transformed at the turn of the century by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, a father of Catalan modernisme, it sits a minute from La Rambla in the heart of the Raval. Now, within the Ibiza-born OD Hotels portfolio, interiors have been carefully renovated by designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán, and inspired by Art Nouveau, showcasing modernista details of the property. The best of the 82 rooms open onto private terraces with skyline views. The soul of the place is comfort, art, and music, with a library of the figures who shaped Barcelona and a vinyl corner of vintage records, fitting with the Liceu theatre as a neighbour. Breakfast is taken beneath Ramon Casas’ murals in the Sirens Lounge, and dinner is at Fonda España, where Martín Berasategui, the most Michelin-decorated chef in Spain, guides honest Catalan cooking. Evenings are savoured at the Dorita cocktail bar and at the rooftop OD Sky Bar, open to the whole city, not only to guests. True to what OD calls its ‘neighbourmood’, this is a hotel where locals and visitors share the best of Barcelona.

The Grand Hotel Las Dunas is a five-star hideaway on the New Golden Mile, between Marbella to the east and Estepona to the west. Evocative of a Spanish hacienda, with sub-tropical gardens stepping down past fountains to an infinity pool, and onto cinematic views of the Mediterranean sea, and the Strait of Gibraltar to the mountains of north Africa. Recently reopened as part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, this feels like the calmest sea-facing five-star on this stretch of the Costa del Sol.

Dating back to the 1930s, this neo-baroque building used to be Logroño’s Post Office. It lives up to its name and history, with walls decorated by stamp collages, mail art, original post boxes flanking the entrance, the Matasellos “Postmark” restaurant, and a collection of vintage postcards, including some antiques from the eighteenth century. In 2021 the hotel received a full makeover, upgrading rooms, the spa and the indoor pool area. Aurea Palacio de Correos also has a terrace for drinks with a view and a delicious choice of meals made using Riojan produce.

A former 19th-century military fortress carved into golden cliffs overlooking Palma Bay, Cap Rocat stands as one of Mallorca’s most extraordinary hotels. This clifftop retreat features just 30 unique rooms and suites built into the original fortress structure. Dine at La Fortaleza restaurant for avant-garde cuisine, unwind at the Sea Club’s waterfront setting, and rejuvenate at the underground spa carved 12 metres into the rock.

This modern meets mid-century five-star hotel lies ten minutes from Girona, within the PGA Catalunya Resort – making it extremely popular with golf enthusiasts. On the Conde Nast Traveller Gold List and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Camiral is the epitome of elegance and chic. The Mediterranean restaurant, chilled out brasserie and bars (including a pool bar) provide ample opportunity for socialising. While a fitness centre, on-site activities, an infinity pool surrounded by luxe loungers, and a spa ensure there’s plenty to keep guests occupied – be it relaxing, or getting active. It accommodates 149 rooms with Elemis toiletries and pillow menus.

Set within Gothic stone cloisters this modern brand inhabits a property with five centuries of history. Located beside the River Arlazón and close to the cathedral, many of its 110 bedrooms enjoy views of one or the other. Guests will also appreciate the mod cons, such as Nespresso machines and super thick mattresses, as well as access to a gym and sauna. The restaurant, Palacio de la Merced, is renowned as one of the best in the city, serving fine local cuisine. The Palacio also offers 10 function rooms.

Don’t be fooled by the name, this is no ‘hostel’. This retreat, dating back to the 1920s, has hosted a plethora of Hollywood’s icons as well as real-life royalty. Hostal de la Gavina sits on an area of land jutting out toward the sea. This provides panoramic views from most of its sides, with an excellent beach just five minutes on foot via a coastal path. The interiors here follow a palatial traditional style with gleaming parquet flooring, silk wallpaper, Grecian pillars, flamboyant flower arrangements, marble surfaces and antique furniture. Three restaurants (the main dining room offers piano accompaniment at dinner) a spa and a ship-themed bar are available for guests’ enjoyment. Outside there’s a large, glamorous pool terrace, a kids’ play area and tennis courts. 

The Hotel Hacienda de Abajo can be found nestled in the heart of La Palma’s Tazacorte area. Spread over four buildings, the former 17th century sugar plantation has undergone complete refurbishment to become the first emblematic hotel in the Canary Islands. The interior garden of the hotel is the former orchard of the hacienda and offers a unique setting for your Canarian getaway. Choose from a collection of lavish guestrooms and suites complete with regal and traditional décor including 18th century French tapestries. Be sure to enjoy the island’s finest offerings on site for breakfast and brunch in La Salita or opt to savour gourmet Atlantic dining at El Sitio restaurant. The hotel boasts a heated swimming pool for guests looking to escape reality and relax. For those wishing to take it a step further, the spa & wellness centre offer beauty treatments and massages to enhance your stay.

This sleek venue was born in the 1970s as a restaurant. Enjoying spectacular success, it held two Michelin stars for 25 years, before securing a third in 2007, which it retained. Of course, the food is a massive draw, but in 2017, the arrival of rooms and a spa, made it the complete boutique dine and stay experience. Circular wooden terraces take advantage of the panoramic seaside views, as do private indoor/outdoor heated plunge pools in exclusive suites. Cantabrian multi-sensory cuisine is served in the top-class restaurants, Akelarre and Espazio Oteiza, with chef Pedro Subijana at the helm.