Best Urban Hotels in Spain

The Thompson Madrid is located on Calle De La Montera, which connects the city’s famed main square, Puerta del Sol, to the theatres, cinemas, and boutiques of the lively Gran Via Street. The hotel combines traditional Madrid architecture with Thompson Hotels’ contemporary style and comprises 175 guest bedrooms and suites which have floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces. Guests can enjoy three different dining concepts including the all-day bakery and bistro and the Rooftop, which as you may have guessed, alongside creative cocktails boasts stunning views across the city. The rooftop infinity pool, is the place to relax and the open-air courtyard, fitness centre, and 24-hour boutique are all available for guests to use at their leisure.

Superbly situated in the historic Jewish Quarter of Santa Cruz, with the Giralda as a backdrop, this family-friendly converted mansion is an ideal starting point for flamenco clubs, tapas bars and the main shopping drag. The Flamenco Dance Museum is a must-see before you take in a show at La Casa del Flamenco. The Casa 1800 Sevilla has individually decorated rooms that sport hand-carved furniture, marbled bathrooms, and all facilities, while suites have terraces and outdoor Jacuzzis. Chandeliers light up the elegant public areas and the central patio. The rooftop salt-water pool carries a reflection of the bell tower and boasts amazing vistas.

A former nobleman’s home dating from the 1900s, Can Albertí 1740 Boutique Hotel has grown from a six-bedroom residence to offering 14 bedrooms across its three stories. Recognisable by its salmon pink and white front elevation with wrought iron balconies, it’s both striking and romantic. Inside, vintage styling — nodding to the building’s heritage — melds with contemporary Mediterranean furnishings. Guests can access an honesty bar, a leafy courtyard and a terrace perfect for sundowners, and the concierge is on hand to arrange spa treatments and dish out parasols and towels for beach use.

Hotel Cort is truly unique in its style. The hotel is reminiscent of seaside retreats with subtle nods towards traditional Spanish abodes whilst retaining a luxurious feel. It is obvious that when designing the hotel, they aimed to keep it feeling homey and comfortable. The rooms themselves have a relaxing ambience and each room is unique in design, from the lemon tree-filled suite, to the Hamptons-like room with sailing-inspired pieces. As for exploring the rest of the hotel that is an adventure for each visitor to partake in – there are multiple bars and terraces tucked away in corners and up staircases that are just waiting to be discovered!

A sleek resort for the modern age, this NH property is set within peaceful gardens, surrounded by parkland and close to a lake. It’s a striking feature on the landscape, designed by Aranguren & Gallegos Arquitectos. The grounds include a swimming pool and a terrace. Inside, there’s another pool (with floor-to-ceiling windows looking onto the outdoor pool), a gym, sauna, Turkish bath, the Abeiro Restaurant with charming garden views and a lobby bar. Bedrooms are decorated in hues of white, chocolate and apple-green, with amenities including a pillow menu, high-quality mattresses, soundproofing and Nespresso machines.

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.

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.

Follow the labyrinth-like streets upwards until you’re high above the UNESCO-listed city of Dalt Vila. Here you’ll find a collection of three 16th-century buildings, comprising secret passageways and old watchtowers, that make up the historic Hotel La Torre del Canónigo. On its grounds are a pool and solarium and the Corsair Restaurant & Terrace, set in a 10th-century building. Guest bedrooms are simple but very fashionable in terms of decor, sporting original features such as exposed stone walls and wooden beamed ceilings.

Back in the 16th century, this mansion house on the Passeig de Colom was the home of a nobleman. Now restored as a boutique hotel, it riffs on minimalism, making the most of local wood and stone in the decor. Rooms come with welcome cakes and chocolates and Nespresso coffee machines, some with views of the port. Dine on tapas dishes in the restaurant or on the rooftop terrace (where you’ll also find its two open-air pools). Take light night drinks in the monochrome cocktail lounge and have a tinkle on its grand piano — snacks and pastries are provided here during the afternoons.

The Urso Hotel is found in the Chueca district, neighbouring the Chamberi and Tribunal areas. The Urso is a 20th-century building which incorporates modern décor and architectural designs. It’s a stylish boutique property and is close to embassy buildings, restaurants, and bars. It has over 78 rooms and offers amenities such as a spa, swimming pool, lounge bar, and fitness centre. Enjoy top-class tapas and wine at Urso’s on-site eatery Media Ración, or dine in The Conservatory, where the outdoors is brought elegantly indoors.

Said to be the birthplace of the poet Ximinez de Enciso, this boutique hotel in the Barrio de Santa Cruz is a short walk from the Gothic cathedral and the Alcázar palace. The seventeenth-century building has been carefully restored and retains the typical architectural style of a central courtyard with a fountain. Guests can look forward to daily live guitar music and can enjoy an art gallery and a roof terrace with views to the cathedral and its baroque bell tower, the Giralda. Rooms vary in size, with suites and duplexes available, and there is also a luxury apartment.

This charming family-run establishment is set right on the main pedestrian promenade and boasts a private strip of golden sand for guests to sun themselves on. Hotel Miramar is famous for its dining opportunities and the main restaurant takes full advantage of the abundance of freshly caught seafood while blending classic Mediterranean and Mallorcan flavours. The Miramar Sea Lounge is the perfect place to unwind in the evening while having a gin and tonic or a glass of locally produced wine while watching the world go by. While there are five different categories of rooms to choose from, luxury lovers will want to make sure that they book one of the spacious suites so that they can take advantage of stunning ocean views from their private balcony.