Best Beach Hotels in Spain

Walking distance from the railway station, a couple of nice beaches and beside the port, Casa Alberola Alicante is found within a pretty neo-classical building with wrought-iron balconies. Inside, the decor is modern – in keeping with the Hilton style – but with hints of art deco style. Catering to adults only, rooms here come with crisp white bedding, padded velvet headboards and parquet floors – some have freestanding bathtubs and sea views too. Its restaurant, Blacky, serves Mediterranean-meets-Chilean cuisine and there’s a buzzing bar for a post-dinner drink.

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. 

Opened in 2024 as Formentera’s first ‘eco-resort’, Dunas de Formentera is pure escapism in the Mediterranean. This beachside hotel offers barefoot luxury in a spectacular sea view location surrounded by nature, just steps from a sandy beach. 45 rooms and suites are found within standalone bungalows and duplex buildings, set amongst the sand dunes of Migjorn beach, shaded by juniper and pine trees. The property’s restaurant, Caliu offers Mediterranean dishes, with views of the infinity pool and the azure and aquamarine waters of Formentera.

This large and lavish resort has been attracting major celebrities from all over the world for many years and is the perfect place to rub shoulders with the rich and famous. Nature lovers are sure to be in their element here as in addition to being right on the edge of the sands of Maspalomas the enchanting lagoon and nature reserve of Charca is just a short stroll away. Guests should make sure that they select one of the spacious upper-floor suites so that they can take in the vistas of the dunes below from the serenity of their balcony.

New to Sitges is the Sabàtic Sitges, Autograph Collection hotel. This chic hotel features 90 stylish and comfortable suites, each with a balcony or sea view terrace and interiors of neutral interiors designed by Barcelona-based interior designer, Sandra Tarruella. The hotel’s Mediterranean restaurant, Pasatempo, led by renowned Catalonian chef Rafa Peña and features an idyllic outdoor terrace. Guests can also enjoy an adults-only outdoor pool, daily wellness activities like yoga and Pilates, and stunning views of the Balearic Sea.

Elisabeth by the Sea offers much more than a tranquil stay by the Mediterranean. Housed in a beautiful 1930s building, this luxurious hotel invites guests to enjoy an exclusive getaway in Tossa de Mar. There are 132 guestrooms, the majority boasting sea views, in this picturesque setting, ideal for relaxation. The Patio Restaurant and Pique Nique Rooftop Bar offer on-site dining while the full-service Boutique Spa provides serenity and an opportunity to unwind and recharge. There are 24-hour fitness facilities and wellness amenities including swimming pools massage rooms, and many more amenities for complete relaxation.

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.

The seaside Gran Hotel Bahía del Duque Resort has been stylishly designed to capture the essence of a traditional 19th-century, Canarian colonial villa. With tremendous views of the Atlantic Ocean, the hotel boasts 386 beautifully decorated rooms, 58 suites and 40 private villas, including the Presidential Suite and the luxurious Suite Imelda with a private outdoor jacuzzi. The stunning Casas Ducales feature deluxe rooms and suites, including a lavish Presidential Suite, and exclusive services. Each villa is built into volcanic stone and offers a private plunge pool & solarium terrace. There are 9 dining venues serving local and international cuisine including Michelin-starred Nub Restaurant in addition to 14 bars & lounges. There is an award-winning Spa with immersive treatments at Bahía Wellness Retreat as well as a fitness centre with personalised physiotherapy options and a beauty studio. There is a tranquil outdoor Vitality pool with a Thalassotherapy circuit, complete with a Hammam, and outdoor solarium.

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.

Elke Spa Hotel is found in Sant Feliu de Guixols, just over 10 minutes walk from the Cala del Vigatà Beach. It has 66 forms of accommodation each with minibars and huge flat-screen TVs. The rooftop wellness area offers a hammam, a sauna and a hot tub, as well as a large range of treatments. Guests can swim and sun themselves outside on the sleek terrace and dine in one of the two sophisticated restaurants. An indoor soft play area, mini club, games and babysitting services makes it ideal for those travelling with very young children.

The grand five star establishment sits across from Playa de los Peligros beach, looking out imperiously over the Bay of Biscay from its hilltop location. Stay here for classic grandeur – majestic French-style hallways, marble bathrooms, wrought-iron balconies, floor to ceiling windows, heavy drapes, Queen Anne furnishings and parquet floors are all found within. The hotel has 123 bedrooms, gardens featuring no less than 80 varieties of rose, a large terrace and the 12 table El Puntal Restaurant, dressed in white linen and silver. Eurostars Hotel Real is also home to one of Europe’s most advanced thalassotherapy centres, the Talasoterapia wellbeing centre, with sauna, Turkish bath and jacuzzi.

Reserved for adult travellers, La Isla y El Mar was the first hotel in the world to receive the Biosphere Responsible Tourism certificate, awarded by the Unesco Institute for Responsible Tourism. Alongside its 81 modern suites, is The African Secret, the hotel’s wellness centre, a buffet dining area and an on-trend a la carte restaurant. If you’re in need of some time in a cool, calm oasis, book a stay here.