Best Historical Hotels in Spain

This hotel is a modern structure within the remnants of a 16th-century palace that mixes rustic Majorcan style with contemporary design. The rooms are bright and airy, have marble floors, crisp white bedding, and sensual art hanging above the beds. The simple white décor is punctuated with leather or cow hide and chrome accessories lending a more modern feel to the bedrooms. The plant-filled patio nestled between the buildings provides the perfect spot for a relaxing glass of wine lounging under the palm tree. The encouragement to relax at this hotel continues to the rooftop terrace which houses an infinity splash pool with great views over the city, a sundeck and a sauna with a difference. There aren’t many saunas that have a window that provides an unrivalled view over the rooftops towards the Palma cathedral. Although the feel of the hotel creates a very tranquil atmosphere, there is a gym just off the courtyard for those interested.

The traditional Majorcan patio with magnificent arches and lush plants welcomes you to the Can Cera hotel. The layout of this hotel hints to its past as a family home and although the building has been renovated, there are still plenty of original features. There are lots of common spaces in the hotel including the Recibidor meeting room, the intimate Salon Dorado, the comfortable Bibliotecca or reading room, and the top floor Terraza with views over the old city rooves. With only 14 rooms this hotel is small and elegant. The rooms are spacious and bright with traditional Majorcan influences. French doors lead out onto Juliette balconies and the bathrooms are simple and modern in muted tones. Each room has a different character much like the rooms of a house, adding to the feeling of comfortable luxury. The hotel is also home to a spa which includes a Finnish sauna, Hamman sauna and a Jacuzzi.

Tucked away in amongst the narrow medieval streets of the old centre of Palma is Posada Terra Santa – an unassuming boutique hotel housed in the Boixador Baron’s former stately home (dating back to 1576). A large central patio leads off to the reception area as well as peaceful interior patios which reflect the out-door/in-door feeling that many traditional Spanish homes are known for. Follow the flower-filled urns that adorn the stairs up to the main body of the hotel. The Posada Terra Santa has kept the original layout of the 26-bedroomed home, each of which are decorated in taupes, greys, and light luxurious neutrals, keeping a comfortable and cool elegance running throughout the hotel. There is an almost Scandi-inspired design element to the hotel with modern furniture design and lots of wood. The rooms are situated higher up in the townhouse so most have views out across the terracotta tiled rooves. La Despensa del Baron restaurant is a lovely place to chill out – the original 14th-century gothic arches provide for a shady arcade under which to enjoy some local wine and tapas. The hotel too has an abundance of common space including a terrace with a solarium and small heated swimming pool, a cosy library, and an honesty bar perfect for midnight snacks.

Like the Forum Boutique Hotel, this is better suited to an older clientele — children aged 12 and over are welcome. Hotel Can Mostatxins is named after a butcher (specifically his notable moustache) who once lived in these sensitively restored 15th and 19th-century buildings. A plunge pool and spa are hidden in an atmospheric courtyard and there are just eight bedrooms, ensuring a boutique experience. It’s independently owned and very homely. There’s no restaurant or cafe, but the hotel is conveniently located close to the town square, with restaurants and bars a stone’s throw away. Its public areas comprise an honest bar, library and small boutique.

Proving Alcudia isn’t all about young families, this is a hotel catering exclusively to adults. Exposed natural stone walls, pine beams, clean lines, Scandi furnishings, contemporary watercolour artworks, oversized freestanding tubs and industrial-chic lighting all contribute to a peaceful sophistication at Forum Boutique, which first opened in 2018. Guests can swim in an outdoor saltwater pool, relax in the interior garden and stargaze from the terrace hot tub. Forum Boutique has 16 bedrooms in total, a shared lounge and a bar and is located along a pretty cobbled street, a few minutes walk from the town marketplace.

Offering understated luxury, the Ohla Hotel is located on the busy Via Laietana, the border between Barri Gòtic and Born areas. The style here is hip, smart and chic, inviting to both holidaymakers and young professionals visiting for business. Games consoles, massages and round-the-clock room service are all part of the appeal at this 74-room boutique hotel. The awe-inspiring glass-sided rooftop pool is the perfect place to unwind before enjoying a refined dinner at the Michelin-starred Caelis restaurant or sampling a sensory journey of different culinary traditions in the form of tapas and small plates to share at La Plassohla – both led by Chef Romain Fornell.

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.

Part of the Marriott group, this hotel is one of the finest in the city. Declared an artistic and historic monument, the building was once the Santa Paula Convent (in the 16th century) and the Casa Morisca (in the 17th century). Its restaurant, El Claustro, is the former convent refectory, now home to a modern dining concept. 66 rooms and seven suites (some of which offer full accessibility) now occupy a total of five floors, with minibars and cable TV alongside beamed ceilings, wooden floors and views framed by arched windows. There’s also a fitness centre on-site and around-the-clock room service.

Cristine Bedfor Malaga is a creatively restored and decorated 1871 mansion, a new boutique 27-room guest house hotel that resonated with an imaginative world of storytelling and elegant hospitality. Opened this June at the corner of Calle Granada and Calle Méndez Núñez in Malaga’s historic old town, this enchanting property is the latest creation from Cristina Lozano. Each Cristine Bedfor property tells a chapter from the fictional life of Cristine Bedfor, and here in Malaga, we discover her childhood adventures on the floating island of Clementine

Palau Fugit transforms an 18th-century baroque palace in Girona’s historic quarter into a contemporary boutique hotel where contemporary art and culture complements rich heritage. This intimate property, with characterful original stone walls and beamed ceilings is also home to local creativity, with commissioned murals, sculptures as well as custom room fragrances. The hotel’s philosophy centres on ‘La Vida Plena’ – living life to the full – encouraging guests to disconnect from routine and reconnect with culture, nature and the present moment.

A former convent that dates back to the 18th century, this hotel is surrounded by lush green lawns and borders the banks of the Pisuerga River. It has five stars, a fitness centre, a heated indoor pool and a Turkish bath, as well as a glass-covered cloister which serves as an impressive public space. Guests can dine in-house at Los Jerónimos, where Spanish and Castilian dishes by Chef Jorge Gómez Arizméndi are the speciality. Book rooms varying from a standard twin, to a suite with garden views.

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.