Best Resort Hotels in Andalucía

Combine a beach holiday with a city spa break at Barceló Cabo de Gata. Its located in the district of Retamar, right next to the lido and close to the entrance of the National Park. Housing 230 bedrooms (many with sea or pool views), it’s big on facilities, including those for kids – such as a programme of activities, a children’s pool and a playground. Designed to be a home-from-home, Barceló Cabo de Gata is relaxing and comfortable, with the option of all-inclusive board. The U-Spa is a real highlight, offering a full range of treatments for individuals and couples. Guests can also take part in lessons and organised games.

Overlooking the rolling hills and coastline of southern Spain, SO/ Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort Hotel fuses Andalusian elegance with avant-garde design and the relaxed glamour of the Costa del Sol. With 152 rooms and suites, interiors balance local craftsmanship and bold contemporary accents, complemented by terraces and views across the Mediterranean or the resort’s manicured gardens.

The hotel’s dining portfolio includes Society Clubhouse for refined Mediterranean cuisine, IXO Tapas & Bar for inventive small plates and cocktails, and Marxa Chiringuito, a poolside restaurant bringing a modern twist to coastal dining. Guests can unwind at SO/ SPA & Health Club, a 2,800-square-metre sanctuary offering thermal circuits, wellness rituals, and cutting-edge fitness facilities.

Surrounded by championship golf courses, including Almenara, Valderrama, and La Reserva, the resort blends wellness, gastronomy, and sport in a stylish social setting. Ideal for both golfers and leisure seekers, it captures the essence of modern Mediterranean luxury.

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.

Founded in the 1950s by Prince Alfonso Hohenlohe, this was once the hotspot of various figures of European royalty during the summer but has since had a bit of a revival. Now renowned as an amazing health and well-being retreat as well as retaining some of the old-school glamour which had attracted the likes of Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn, and Grace Kelly to return again and again. The 35 guestrooms and 80 suites are set amongst lush subtropical gardens and many include private outdoor terraces. With white timbered roofs and a coastal-inspired pastel palette, Deluxe Beachfront rooms compliment their views of the Strait of Gibraltar; whilst private villas ooze contemporary Andalusian chic dressed nearly all in white and boasting private pools. When you aren’t lazing around in verdant walled courtyards or around one of the three pools, you can learn meditation from a master, work with a naturopath, nutritionist or fitness expert to improve your lifestyle, or enjoy a Thalassotherapy treatment or ritual at the award-winning spa – holistic wellbeing is at the core of the Marbella Club’s ethos. When you get hungry The Grill is an old-school restaurant with knowledgeable sommeliers and French fare presented under silver cloches, whilst The Beach Club has a renowned buffet of vibrant seafood, paella, pasta salads and cold meat for more casual dining. Alternatively, the Chiringuito MC Beach serves up barbequed sacks and smaller bites, perfect for poolside dining.

The Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Hotel Benahavis Marbella Resort is the group’s new flagship resort in Southern Spain. Sheltered by majestic mountains, this Mediterranean resort is close to some of the country’s most beautiful ‘white villages’, the prestigious town of Marbella, and the sparkling sea. Expect a compelling combination of European elegance with upscale gastronomy across 8 dining venues, as well as exceptional leisure facilities including a super-stylish beach & racquet club, an award-winning spa and championship golf courses.

Set between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sierra de Mijas mountains, Higuerón Hotel Málaga, Curio Collection by Hilton offers a refined yet vibrant escape that blends Andalusian charm with cutting-edge design. The 290 rooms and suites feature minimalist interiors in neutral tones with floor-to-ceiling windows, private terraces, and panoramic views across the coastline or mountains.

Art and architecture feature throughout the resort, complemented by world-class amenities. Dining spans 10 venues, including Sollo, a Michelin-starred restaurant by Diego Gallego, Arara Bistro Bar for Latin-inspired dishes, and the rooftop Infinity Pool Lounge for cocktails and sunsets.

The Nagomi Spa & Beauty Centre is a destination in itself, offering hydrotherapy, wellness programmes, and Natura Bissé treatments. With multiple pools, tennis and padel courts, a state-of-the-art gym, and proximity to the Higuerón Sports Club and Beach Club, this design-led resort seamlessly combines relaxation, gastronomy, and coastal energy on Spain’s Costa del Sol.

Inspired by traditional Andalusian architecture, this exclusive and luxurious hotel and resort is the perfect summer getaway. Blending the best of traditional Mediterranean lifestyle with contemporary living, the Finca Cortesin offers incredible cuisine, impeccable service and blissful tranquillity. Built around two sunny courtyards the hotel only has 67 rooms and yet feels palatial in style and space. Rooms are spacious and filled with light – a notable feature is their beautifully high ceilings. Spaces in the hotel manage to be both elegant and luxurious whilst still offering a lot of comfort. We adore the statement printed textiles which stand out against the warmly neutral décor. Surrounding the hotel is 23,000 sqm of landscaped gardens, a luxurious Thai spa, an incredible 4 swimming pools (our favourite is the heated indoor pool with views of the coast), tennis courts, and a spectacular beach club. The hotel is not lacking in dining options either – choose between the relaxed terrace restaurant El Jardin de Lutz, the Michelin-starred Kabuki Raw serving up Japanese-Mediterranean fusions, the traditional Italian brasserie from Sicilian chef Andrea Tumbarello, Don Giovanni, or casual tapas and drinks from The Blue Bar.

Puente Romano Marbella is an award-winning, experiential destination on the shores of the Mediterranean. This renowned Andalusian village-style resort offers elegant suites and private villas where heritage meets contemporary refinement. The ancient Roman bridge that stands within the resort’s beachside gardens inspires its name. Today Puente Romano invites guests to experience local flavours at El Pimpi and Sea Grill, alongside international icons like Nobu, COYA, Cipriani and GAIA. After sunset, COYA Club and NYX Marbella are the sought-after nightspots.

Specifically designed for grown-ups, this no kids allowed hotel on Marbella’s ‘Golden Mile’ is perfect for the socialites amongst us. Located just minutes from the beach and the turquoise waters of The Mediterranean, Nobu Hotel Marbella offers the best of luxury beach club life. Public spaces feature a lot of clean dark wood that looks elegant and contemporary, whilst rooms are neutral, calming spaces. They are a modern take on ryokan-style interiors with natural wood and wicker furnishings with flashes of delight coming from jazzy art pieces and interesting lighting fixtures. Many have terraces overlooking La Plaza. The Nobu Hotel Marbella has a ground-sharing partnership with the Puente Romano Beach Resort (see above) and so you can expect the same lush and verdant plants dotted about the place and also an abundance of facilities. It couldn’t be named Nobu Hotel Marbella without the presence of its namesake. Nobu Hotel Marbella offers guests that chance to savour Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature dishes plus special Andalusian-Japanese fusions. Guests at Nobu Hotel Marbella can enjoy 24/7 in-room dining from the restaurant, plus priority access to Nobu and La Suite, Marbella’s most exclusive club. Spend the day relaxing by the pool, whilst the night the volume is turned up and the party really begins.

The Kempinski Hotel Bahia Estepona is considered to be one of the most elegant hotel resorts on Andalucía’s western Costa del Sol. Found about 12km west of Marbella’s Puerta Banús and close to the charming beachside town of Estepona, this 5-star gastronomic resort is where Kempinski sophistication meets the warmth of the Mediterranean. Kempinski Hotel Bahia Estepona offers a complete resort experience, with an excellent choice of guest rooms, junior suites, and exclusive rooftop suites for VIPs; a luxury spa; pools and gardens that reach down to the beach and sea; and a wealth of dining options within El Paseo del Mar.

Don Carlos Marbella is a recently refurbished 5-star resort set in Elviria, Marbella. It offers 284 rooms and suites alongside 24 private residences, surrounded by Mediterranean pine trees. Guests enjoy two exclusive beach clubs, including the Lucia Summer Club pop-up, and the legendary Nikki Beach Marbella, a wellness spa, a Rafa Nadal tennis centre, and family-friendly facilities. The resort balances a fresh, contemporary design with a strong Andalusian character.

To stay at the Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella is to experience an icon reborn, to be immersed in the spirited elegance of Marbella when it first emerged as a playground for the privileged few. 195 including 60 suites and duplex suites, distributed across three buildings: Atrium, Miramar and Jardín. Luxury suites feature in-suite living rooms and spacious private terraces. Contemporary Mediterranean design by Cristina Carulla Studio with natural materials and vibrant colours. Dining includes Jara restaurant, with Mediterranean menus designed by Michelin-starred chef José Carlos García.