Best Urban Hotels in Spain

For a luxury city centre stay, in the heart of Seville’s labyrinthine old town, then choose the family-owned Hotel Corral del Rey Seville, a historic property full of eclectic, creative style and upscale elegance. Corral del Rey is one of the most established boutique hotels in the city. Created by a family with a consistent track record in luxury hospitality, the property is within converted ‘Casa Palacios’; striking noble houses once homes to the city’s wealthy when Seville was at the epicentre of world trade with the Americas.

With its own unique cabaret supper club, signature restaurant Bar Veraz, rooftop bar and bespoke cocktail bar the Punch Room, you don’t need to step out fo the front doors to experience a fantastic night out. Found on the edge of the El Born district, this 100 room boutique hotel with gym and saltwater pool is just steps away from the Santa Caterina market. Bedrooms are adorned in walnut panelling – echoing the traditional city shutters – and feature imported Anichini linens and Spanish leather headboards following a complete metamorphosis by Carlos Ferrater Studio.

Set in a 19th-century building which was once one of the oldest perfumeries in the capital (and retains many original features), the JW Marriott oozes all things fragrance; from the lobby aroma, to the personalised olfactory journey curated for each guest in collaboration with the Spanish Perfume Academy, to wellness treatments and El Patio JW Garden, where many of the botanical and herbaceous ingredients used in the food and drink, are grown. Taste those uber-local flavours in the QÚ restaurant which is headed by the two Michelin-starred chef Mario Sandoval. The JW Marriott is a place to immerse in some of Madrid’s history and discover a unique part of its heritage.

An air of the aristocratic combines with a botanical theme, as greenery climbs oil-painting clad walls inside the Can Bordoy Grand House. 24 bedrooms have opulent gilt touches, sparkling chandeliers, ornate mirrors, rich contemporary fabrics and freestanding tubs. As with the decor, plants and sustainable ingredients are central to the cuisine served at its restaurant, Botànic. The candlelit spa features the iconic building’s original 12th-century natural stone walls and offers treatments using vegan SCENS products and therapies by Swiss Perfection. And a rooftop terrace provides cathedral views; a lovely spot to sunbathe and sip on champagne.

The Arrecife Gran Hotel & Spa is a lavish 5-star resort in the heart of Lanzarote, overlooking the dazzling sea and the Bay of Arrecife and a mere five minutes from the airport. On the stunning El Reducto Beach, this hotel is comprised of 160 comfortable and contemporary guestrooms and suites fitted with expansive windows offering spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean or the city of Arrecife. The rooms are divided into 56 double rooms, 104 suites and 4 Sky Suites with two bedrooms and panoramic views. The hotel offers four diverse dining options including the rooftop Blue 17 Restaurant with an exquisite menu and sensational views. Guests are invited to take full advantage of the AQUAPLUS SPA with its hydrothermal circuit and a range of treatments and massages on offer.

La Fonda Heritage Hotel, the elegant Marbella old-town boutique hideaway, is the first and only Relais Châteaux property in Andalucia. This 20-room property is on the charming and tranquil Plaza Santo Cristo square, surrounded by historic buildings. Fine dining is of course a hallmark of any Relais Châteaux experience, and La Fonda Heritage Hotel is no exception. Its signature Jane Restaurant, with Executive Chef Pascal Silman leading the team, offers a refined experience in the unique setting of a former chapel, with a menu inspired by Andalucia, using local and regional ingredients in creative ways. Los Patios de La Fonda is the hotel’s informal bistro space for breakfast, as well as daytime snacks and early evening tapas and cocktails, while the sky bar is a spacious roof terrace with views across the old town to the Mediterranean.

In the leafy Calle de Claudio Coello, in Madrid’s chic Salamanca District, is Hotel Único, one of the capital’s most iconic and sought-after boutique properties. Once a noble private mansion, Hotel Único epitomises the understated elegance of this 19th residential neighbourhood, originally built with the help of the 1st Marquess of Salamanca. The guest rooms have recently been beautifully remodelled by designer Maria Santos. This is the capital’s most upscale and desirable area, where the streets are lined with elegant boutiques, designer stores, galleries, and the most fashionable places to eat and drink. The perfect location for an elegant stay in the city.

Located just a short stroll from Las Palmas Marina in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel provides a lush retreat as it is surrounded by picturesque gardens. Stunning views of the marina can be enjoyed from the infinity edged swimming pool as well as the rooftop pool and spacious terrace. Food lovers will be able to enjoy gourmet cuisine at Poemas, while 1890 La Bodeguita specialises in tapas. Guests who want the opportunity to sample traditional dishes in a stylish setting should also make sure that they indulge in a meal at the Camarote Grill, while the Alis Roof Top Bar is the perfect place to sit and sip a cool cocktail or two while watching the sun set.

Situated in the beautiful and buzzing Santa Cruz District of Seville is your next luxurious stay, EME Catedral Mercer Hotel, where opulence meets history. Selected by the MICHELIN Guide Spain 2024, a 5-star stay has never been this desirable. Each room and suite are designed to allow you to get lost in your Seville dream, bring relaxation to your stay, and allow you to soak in the city from the comfort of your own room. Inspired by Almohad art and fused with contemporary and minimalistic design, the EME Catedral Mercer Hotel brings serenity to a busy visit. With a commitment to gastronomy, the EME Catedral Mercer Hotel blends tradition and avant-garde to make your meals the most memorable explosion of the senses, with various restaurant options on-site: AL LADO, Mi Arma, and The Corner Lobby Bar. The Hotel also offers extraordinary Spa packages to relax and rewind during your stay. Choose perfection at the heart of stunning Seville by renewing yourself at the EME Catedral Mercer Hotel.

While many flock to beachside resorts in Ibiza, the Hotel Mirador de Dalt Vila offers a very different perspective on the island. The 19th-century property is a former Lord’s manor house, tucked into the walled city of Dalt Vila, a Unesco World Heritage site. It was only recently transformed from a residential home into a hotel, with 12 guest rooms located in the main house and in an annex (book the former for original features such as beamed ceilings and wrought iron balconettes). The terrace provides stunning views over the harbour, there’s a fine dining intimate restaurant overlooking the plaza (all meals are served here) and an outdoor plunge pool to cool off in the Balearic heat.

The Mercer Barcelona is an oasis of calm in the heart of the Gothic quarter of Barcelona. It’s housed in a building with architectural styles ranging from Roman times to the present day and finished with contemporary sympathetic features. Two restaurants and a rooftop plunge pool make this a perfect hotel for a weekend shopping and sightseeing break. Service is unpretentious and polished and rooms are set around a quiet breakfast patio.

Located in a former 19th-century palace, Can Alomar preserves much of the elegance of the original building. A lesson in understated style and luxury, the hotel combines the splendour and space of a palace with contemporary furnishings and finishes. With only 16 rooms which include 9 suites, this hotel is truly boutique in size. Décor is sophisticated and discreet – walls are painted in neutral tones, adorned with modern art, and textiles are kept sumptuous and luxurious. We adore the discreet but attentive luxury concierge, whilst the plunge pool and solarium on the roof is an ideal spot for chilling out with views of the cathedral and bay of Palma. There is even a charming tower at the top of the hotel available for private massages and celebrations. Dinner takes place in the stylish De Tokia a Lima restaurant, serving up a creative and unique selection of Mediterranean, Peruvian and Japanese gastronomy either in a relaxed brasserie-like interior or on the tranquil terrace overlooking the Paseo del Borne.