Best Luxury Hotels in Basque Country

The beautiful Basque Country is an autonomous region of northern Spain, with its own distinct personality. Suitable for a beachside break, it’s also close to the Pyrenees for mountain exploring and to France, which has influenced the area’s traditions, culture and dining. Indeed, food is a big deal here, with locals having a gourmand reputation. Classic dishes revolve around homegrown/fished/reared produce such as grilled lamb, cured meat, salt cod, anchovies, sheep’s and goat’s cheese, piquillo peppers and artichokes. Top destinations in the Basque Country include San Sebastián, home to a glitzy film festival, and Bilbao, with its modernist architecture.

Basque Country, Bilbao

NH Collection Villa de Bilbao

Hotel
(4 stars)
At a glance
Rooms 142 Modern Rooms & Suites Including Junior Suites With Balconies & Jetted Bathtubs.
Amenities Rooftop Gym Access & Nearby Wellness Facilities Complement The On-Site Dining Options.
More Located On Bilbao's Gran Va Within Walking Distance Of Major Attractions & Shopping Areas.

Located at the San Mamés end of Bilbao’s famous Gran Vía, the NH Collection Villa de Bilbao is a modern property offering spacious rooms, sleek contemporary design and on-point service. Inside enjoy a bountiful Basque breakfast at the Le Bol Blanc Restaurant, take a drink in the lobby corner bar, and head to the top-floor fitness room where you can work out to uninterrupted views over the city. Primarily catering to business travellers and conferences during the week, the hotel is a hidden gem for weekend getaways, appealing to tourists, families and groups visiting Bilbao.

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NH Collection Villa de Bilbao

Basque Country, San Sebastián

Hotel Maria Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Sebastian

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms 139 Rooms Including 29 Suites With Belle poque Design & Modern Amenities.
Amenities Features Include An On-Site Restaurant, Bar, Fitness Centre, Cooking School, Gourmet Shop, Pet-Friendly Policy, & Limo Service.
More Located Along The Urumea River In San Sebastin, Within Walking Distance To The Old Town & Concha Beach.

Founded in 1912, this was named after the Spanish queen consort, who was the first to enter the hotel. Since then it has hosted many A-listers. The Maria Cristina lies close to the beach and right beside the River Urumea, a Grande Dame reminiscent of the Belle Epoque era. Original features are found beside more contemporary touches in its 139 bedrooms. And when it comes to meals, there’s a daily buffet breakfast, as well as two fine dining establishments: Café Saigon and Mimo San Sebastián. With a gym, a library, free bicycle hire, daily classes (including Michelin-style cooking) and a fine on-site deli to peruse, there’s plenty to amuse its high-end guests.

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Hotel Maria Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Sebastian

Basque Country, Bilbao

Radisson Collection Hotel, Gran Via Bilbao

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms 137 Rooms & Suites Including A Presidential Suite With Private Terrace & Hot Tub.
Amenities Rooftop Dining Featuring Basque & Japanese Fusion Cuisine Spa With Sauna & Hammam Indoor Pool Fitness Centre & Pet Friendly.
More Located In Central Bilbao On Gran Via Close To Guggenheim Museum & Old Town.

In an upscale neighbourhood in the centre of Bilbao, the Radisson Collection Hotel’s 137 contemporary and comfortable rooms and suites receive guests from all corners of the world. The hotel offers a premier, luxurious stay in its Presidential Suite, featuring a private terrace, hot tub and other exclusive amenities. Indulgent treatments are available at the hotel’s tranquil Jewels of Nature Spa as well as access to the hotel fitness centre. An ideal location for business events and conferences in the heart if the city’s main shopping area and financial district – fully-equipped meeting facilities are available to host up to 80 persons. Catering options are on offer for functions and the hotel boasts a gastronomic experience, expertly crafted by a Michelin-starred chef as well as a relaxing rooftop bar. Explore the gems of the Basque Country and visit famous attractions such as the Guggenheim Museum which is located a short walk from the hotel.

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Radisson Collection Hotel, Gran Via Bilbao

Basque Country, San Sebastián

Hotel Villa Favorita San Sebastian

Hotel
(4 stars)
At a glance
Rooms 23 Individually Designed Rooms & Suites Featuring Modern Amenities & Sea Or City Views.
Amenities On-Site Dining Includes A Two Michelin-Starred Restaurant, An Exclusive Bar Serving Curated Cocktails & Wines, Room Service & Breakfast Menus Crafted With Attention To Detail, & Access To A Nearby Wellness Center Offering Spa Treatments.
More Located In A Restored 19th-Century Villa On La Concha Beach In San Sebastin, Offering Stunning Sea Views & Proximity To City Attractions.

The Hotel Villa Favorita is the height of luxury and style. Located in the iconic La Concha Beach it seamlessly blends the life of San Sebastian with the tranquillity of a 19th-century Villa. The rooms are elegant, spacious and inviting, with many boasting fabulous views of La Concha Bay. Yet the Hotel’s piece de resistance is its two Michelin-starred restaurants Amelia curated by expert chef Paulo Airaudo. The food is exceptionally fresh and locally sourced with Paulo paying homage to his Italian and Argentinean roots in his cooking whilst also emphasising the use of local produce as well as forgotten ingredients in his cooking. The hotel also offers guests personal assistance when arranging excursions around the Basque country, its concierge service is nothing less than exceptional. The hotel is home to a spa and wellness centre which provides world class massages and wellness treatments for guests.

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Hotel Villa Favorita San Sebastian

Basque Country, San Sebastián

Hotel Tres Reyes San Sebastián

Hotel
(4 stars)
At a glance
Rooms 80 Accommodations Including Premium Rooms Deluxe Rooms Suites & A Garden Suite With Private Garden.
Amenities Facilities Feature A Dining Venue Lounge Bar Fitness Centre Seasonal Outdoor Pool Solarium & Pet-Friendly Policies.
More Located In A Tranquil Residential Area Surrounded By Nature Yet Within Easy Reach Of San Sebastin's City Centre.

Hotel Tres Reyes San Sebastián is a modern, tranquil retreat located in the Miramón neighbourhood, offering a peaceful escape in the Basque Country’s lush mountains. The hotel blends eclectic, cosmopolitan design with natural surroundings, providing 80 well-appointed rooms, including spacious suites with serene forest views. Guests can enjoy a range of amenities, including a fitness centre, outdoor pool, and diverse dining options. While slightly removed from the beachfront, it offers seclusion and comfort just a short drive from the vibrant heart of San Sebastián.

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Hotel Tres Reyes San Sebastián

Basque Country, Bilbao

Hotel Ercilla de Bilbao, Autograph Collection

Hotel
(4 stars)
At a glance
Rooms 285 Rooms & Suites including Stylish & Vintage Options with Modern Amenities
Amenities Bermeo Restaurant Serving Brazilian, Italian, Mediterranean & Local Cuisine, Bar Americano for Cocktails & Beverages, & La Terraza Rooftop Terrace with Panoramic City Views
More Located in Bilbao's City Centre offering easy Access to attractions & Shopping Areas

The Ercilla de Bilbao Hotel, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, offers a distinctive blend of 1970s glamour and modern elegance. Located in central Bilbao, it features 325 stylish rooms and suites, designed with a mix of Basque and British influences. Guests can enjoy the sophisticated rooftop terrace, La Terraza, which provides panoramic views of the city. The hotel also houses a chic bar, restaurant, and fitness centre, making it ideal for both leisure and business travellers. Ercilla de Bilbao is known for its vibrant history and connection to Bilbao’s cultural scene.

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Hotel Ercilla de Bilbao, Autograph Collection

Basque Country, Getxo

The Palacio Arriluce Hotel

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms 49 Luxury Rooms & Suites Each Uniquely Designed with Great Views
Amenities Distinctive Gastronomic Experience Led by Basque Chef Beat, Historic Wellness Space with Spa & Exclusive Gym, Outdoor Pool Overlooking the Bay of Biscay, Pet-Friendly Policy for Small Pets, & Official Croquet Court Reflecting the Palace's Anglophile Past
More Located in Getxo's Prestigious Neguri Neighbourhood, Facing the Biscayan Coast & Just 200 Meters from the Beach

The Palacio Arriluce Hotel, a 5-star establishment in Getxo, Bilbao, is housed in a historic building blending early 20th-century charm with contemporary luxury. The hotel offers 49 distinct rooms, each with its own character, equipped with high-end amenities. The on-site restaurant, led by chef Beñat Ormaetxea, serves innovative Basque cuisine. Guests can indulge in the hotel’s wellness spa, relax on the terrace with a swimming pool, or enjoy the croquet club. The hotel is also an ideal venue for events, providing various exclusive experiences like wine tasting, sailing, and cultural tours. Its proximity to the beach and the Bizkaia Bridge enhances its appeal as a premier destination.

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The Palacio Arriluce Hotel

Basque Country, Bilbao

Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms 145 Rooms Including 10 Luxury Suites with Contemporary Design & Panoramic Views
Amenities Features Include Full-Service Spa With Sauna & Turkish Bath, Two Restaurants, Rooftop Terrace, Fitness Centre & Chauffeur Service
More Situated opposite the Guggenheim Museum In Bilbao's Cultural District

Found right across from the Guggenheim, this hotel occupies a prime position. Opened in 2002, it was considered the first to have been fully ‘made in Spain’. Designed by Javier Mariscal, it’s colourful and ultra-modern, presenting an impressive art collection. In addition to its overnight guests, it welcomes those wishing to frequent the Gran Hotel Domine’s impressive roof terrace. The 145 rooms here are both soundproofed and air-conditioned, spread across its seven floors. Plus there’s a sleek spa and health club, lobby bar, cafe and restaurant – all complimenting the cutting edge contemporary aesthetic that runs throughout the building.

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Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao

Basque Country, Samaniego

Palacio de Samaniego

Hotel
(4 stars)
At a glance
Rooms Nine Luxury Suites Each Uniquely Designed & Named after Grape Varieties
Amenities Features include an On-Site Restaurant offering Creative Basque-inspired Cuisine & an Outdoor Swimming Pool
More Located in the Heart of Rioja alavesa, Surrounded by Renowned Wineries

A region popular for wine tourism, Rioja Alavesa (specifically the village of Samaniego) is home to this boutique two-storey establishment, part of the Edmond de Rothschild Heritage portfolio. The stunning front elevation features wrought iron balconies and with just 9 rooms, it feels more like you’re a mansion guest as you climb the 17th-century original stone staircase to bed. Suites are named after wines, designed using natural regional materials and filled with local crafts and artworks. Chef Bruno Coelho blends French and Basque flavours with farm-to-table dishes at Tierra y Vino Restaurant. Two terraces accommodate a charming spot for drinks and a stone-clad pool.

Basque Country, San Sebastián

Akelarre San Sebastián

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms 22 Rooms & Suites with Panoramic Ocean Views
Amenities Two Dining options, including the three Michelin-Starred Akelarre Restaurant, a Comprehensive Spa & Wellness Centre
More Located on Mount Igueldo in San Sebastián

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.

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Akelarre San Sebastián

Basque Country, Elciego

Hotel Marqués de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Elciego

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms 61 Rooms & Suites
Amenities Features Multiple Dining options Such as the Marqus De Riscal Restaurant & Restaurante 1860 Tradición Overseen by Michelin-Starred Chef Francis Paniego, the Vinothrapie Spa Caudalie Marqus De Riscal with Comprehensive Wellness Facilities
More Located in the Heart of the Marqus De Riscal City of Wine in Elcieg

A futuristic masterpiece and a feat of building brilliance, this one-of-a-kind 61-bedroom property was designed by the lauded architect Frank Gehry. In the countryside just outside the beautiful medieval town of Elciego (The City of Wine), it’s a place of contrast, where the old meets the new. The avant-garde style continues inside, where bedrooms have cloud lamps and Porsche-designed electric kettles. Two restaurants – 1860 Tradición and Marqués de Riscal Restaurant – are under the direction of Michelin-starred Chef Francis Paniego. The Vinothérapie® SPA Caudalie Marqués de Riscal offers treatments using wine as a key ingredient, as well as hydrotherapy including a heated pool and barrel bath.

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Hotel Marqués de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Elciego




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