Best Urban Hotels in Spain

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.

Book one of 53 bedrooms and suites here, including the anything-but-standard 14-bedroom Casa Privada, a private residence for you and your pals to plunge into a private pool and hot tub within your own courtyard, enjoy an exclusive in-suite treatment room and sleep serenely in a separate building from the rest of the rabble. In the main hotel, the leafy rooftop accommodates a 15-metre swimming pool, bar and eatery with Mexican dishes and Wagyu beef. And downstairs there’s the Jara bistro spilling onto Plaza Vara de Rey, with a DJ booth for a funky soundscape. From April to November the hotel is for adults only.

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 Artist Grand Hotel of Art’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.

Built using ornate stone with pretty wrought iron balconies, this building dates back to the 19th century. Overlooking the marina on the Ría de Vigo estuary, the four-star hotel is within walking distance of the city’s attractions and under a quarter of an hour’s stroll from the railway station. 69 sleek monochrome rooms come with minibars, satellite TV, designer toiletries, climate control, free daily newspapers, laptop-friendly workspaces and soundproofing. Amenities include a library, a rooftop terrace, fitness facilities, a lounge bar, a business centre and La Cuaderna Restaurant serving buffet breakfast and a la carte Mediterranean cuisine.

ME Marbella offers 200 rooms, including 24 suites, set between Marbella’s Old Town and Puerto Banús on the Costa del Sol. The property showcases a bold vision of Mediterranean architecture by Adriana and Álvaro Sans, where organic forms, natural textures and a palette drawn from the surrounding mountains and sea create a striking yet serene aesthetic. Rooms capture the light and views of the Mediterranean, Sierra Blanca or lush gardens, with high-end amenities and a tranquil atmosphere.

The hotel’s dining is led by Pont Hospitality, with La Terraza Del Med presenting Mediterranean classics, Solana focusing on flame-grilled dishes in a convivial setting, and Barlume offering cocktails and light bites. The Oasis beach club features an indoor beach concept, blending music, art and laid-back social energy. Wellness programmes, cultural events, curated local experiences and immersive activities add depth to the stay, while nearby boutiques, beach clubs and historic streets place guests in the heart of Marbella’s lifestyle scene.

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.

UMusic Hotel Madrid, located just a few steps from the Puerta del Sol, combines accommodation in a five-star hotel with the best entertainment of the refurbished UMusic Hotel Teatro Albéniz. The choice of a renowned and well-known property within the epicentre of the city’s music and entertainment scene is part of UMusic Hotels’ firm commitment to recover a historic building and bring it back to life for the local community. The hotel, boasting 130 guestrooms and suites (including accessible rooms), has undergone careful renovation, elevating it into a distinguished 5-star establishment renowned for its design and comfort across every guestroom and suite.  With two exquisite lobbies, the esteemed “El Albéniz” restaurant, an inviting outdoor swimming pool, and the exclusive rooftop “Nota Alta” offering breathtaking views of Madrid’s skyline, along with well-appointed meeting rooms and direct access to the iconic theatre within, the accommodation sets a new standard of hospitality. This marks an international debut for UMusic Hotels, uniting with other projects across Europe, the United States, and Latin America to craft immersive music-centered experiences.

The Seda Club Hotel is situated in the very heart of Granada’s historic centre and is in close proximity to the Cathedral. The hotel is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and boasts a collection of twenty lavish guestrooms, five suites and the exclusive La Alcoba Real – regal living quarters with plenty of space and every modern comfort with traditional design features. There is the sophisticated The Seda Club Restaurant offering local gastronomy with exciting international influences and a tasting menu. There is also the El Clandestino bar area serving a range of beverages and cocktails while the rooftop terrace has a cocktail bar and stunning views over the Plaza de la Trinidad and its exquisite baroque fountain. Hidden behind a bookshelf is the secret speakeasy-inspired private club where guests can relax in a chic and relaxing setting. The spa and wellness facilities include a heated indoor swimming pool and a selection of treatments.

Located in a quiet neighbourhood beside the Rio Guadiana River, this five-star NH hotel offers 58 soundproofed bedrooms with elegant furnishings, wooden floors and pillow menus as standard. Connecting rooms are available, as are suites with living rooms and jacuzzis. Guests can take breakfast on the terrace and dine in the Mirador del Guadiana River View restaurant, as well as in the onsite casino, home to slot machines and table games. There is also a lobby bar, a gym and a spa, with a sauna and a Turkish bath.

Sitting on the northeastern edge of Barcelona, Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona offers visitors to the Catalonian capital a blend of metropolitan spirit and laid-back beachside energy. With its sleek modern design and strategic position next to the Barcelona International Convention Centre, and just moments from Llevant Beach, the hotel appeals to both business travellers and leisure guests looking to stay connected without sacrificing downtime. Designed by Catalan architect Óscar Tusquets and rising 25 storeys, Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona cuts a distinctive figure on the neighbourhood’s skyline, its twin angular towers evoking the prow of a ship, a subtle reference to the nearby Mediterranean. Dining is a highlight here, with Michelin-starred Aürt providing an intimate, ingredient-led culinary experience, while the Ma’i Lobby Bar delivers relaxed all-day fine dining tapas and cocktails. Those staying in executive rooms and suites gain access to the Executive Lounge, which offers breakfast, complimentary refreshments throughout the day and drinks each evening. But the real standout is Purobeach Barcelona, their rooftop beach club complete with Balinese beds, two pools, DJ sets, and its own globally inspired restaurant, M3 Cuisine.

Welcoming guests for a quarter of a century, this hotel is housed in a Renaissance palace. The vibe is discrete and classy, rather than glitzy, with excellent, unobtrusive service. It’s small and intimate; there are 13 classically decorated bedrooms (replete with Bulgari toiletries and coffee makers), plus there’s a private lounge, but no restaurant. But as the Rector is right in the heart of the city, there’s a wealth of culinary options on the doorstep and staff will gladly provide recommendations to suit your preferences. The lounge is the place to relax post-sightseeing, drink in hand — its stained glass window and oriental rugs are stunning.