Best Independent Style Hotels in Spain

Hang out downtown, steps from many of the city’s best restaurants at El Môderne Hotel. This central boutique property takes on a cool and contemporary urban style, with moody colours, all set in a historic building. There’s a Technogym, a solarium terrace on the roof of the hotel and a Champagne Bar that’s open every day from noon. Breakfast is served onsite, but for other meals, you’ll need to discover the host of options at your disposal on the doorstep. Book a suite for a little more space to work, dine or lounge in an armchair.

Sierra Nevada starts the winter season with the much-anticipated arrival of a new destination hotel, Maribel. This reimagined alpine ski chalet opens under the new ownership and management of Puente Romano Beach Resort and Marbella Club, responsible for the renowned El Lodge Ski & Spa. Ideally located at the foot of the slopes, Maribel is the sophisticated ski and après ski chalet with a mix of high-altitude fun both on and off the piste for families, friends, and winter sports enthusiasts. With a season that lasts until the start of spring and coincides with the winter sports period of the Sierra Nevada resort, Maribel will have 29 rooms and suites, including the signature Maribel Penthouse Suite. Situated at 2,250 metres, with direct access to the Maribel and Águila slopes, Maribel offers its guests the perfect plan on and off the pistes. Once at this alpine lifestyle hotel, guests will find a compelling blend of wellness and dining. The hotel’s lounge and bar, with a ski-in/ski-out outdoor terrace, promises a unique après ski atmosphere. Maribel’s restaurant provides a ‘dining club’ experience with an alpine flavour. There’s even a Nordic-inspired spa where guests can rest their weary muscles after a day on the slopes and unwind under the stars.

Embedded into the stunning island of La Gomera, Bancal Hotel & Spa blends the essence of luxury with environmentally conscious design and practices to give you a tranquil retreat with every modern comfort. There is an array of modern and stylish guestrooms and suites which enhance the beauty of the nature that surrounds you and invites in glorious sunlight. There are three dining venues to choose with options of gourmet dining with panoramic views, a buffet with show cooking, or a poolside terrace overlooking the sea. Each of the hotel’s five bars offer something distinct including live music at Silbo or poolside relaxation at Maraire. Guests are invited to completely unwind in AUALA Wellness & Spa and make use of its hydrotherapy circuit and treatment menu. There is also a 24-hour gym with indoor and outdoor fitness classes. The hotel boasts three adult pools and two children’s pools surrounded by sun decks in addition to the private adults-only Nudist Sun Deck.

Rising above a canopy of pines, with 360 views across the island, Teranka has emerged as a haven not only for a tranquil Mediterranean escape but for wellbeing retreats too. The 35-room property has a stunning infinity pool, a Garden Restaurant, and a Rooftop bar lounge. Drawing inspiration from the concept of terre d’ancrage – a secure haven amidst the elements of earth, sea, and sky – the essence of Teranka lies in its laid-back, natural aesthetic, which evokes Formentera’s free spirit. Teranka has also emerged as a well-being destination.

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.

Overlooking the azure waters of the Mediterranean between Marbella and Estepona, THE FLAG Costa del Sol is a new-generation wellness resort redefining coastal living on Spain’s southern coast. The 82 stylish suites, apartments, and penthouses blend sleek architecture with natural textures and calming sea-inspired palettes. Each features floor-to-ceiling windows, private terraces, and contemporary furnishings that embrace indoor-outdoor living.

Dining at Ayuna Restaurant showcases fresh, healthy Mediterranean cuisine paired with panoramic sea views, while The Club Bar and Café del Sol create relaxed spaces for socialising and light bites. Wellness takes centre stage with a spa offering thermal facilities, hydrotherapy, and personalised treatments, complemented by yoga sessions and fitness programmes.

Two infinity pools, subtropical gardens, and direct coastal access complete the experience. Positioned near Estepona’s golf courses, marinas, and beaches, THE FLAG combines a sense of freedom, sustainability, and understated elegance on the Costa del Sol.

34 rooms and suites, CoolRooms Palacio De Atocha is a boutique five-star haven set in a restored 19th-century palace in Madrid’s literary quarter. Located along Calle de Atocha, just steps from Plaza Mayor and the Prado Museum, the hotel combines stately architecture with contemporary design.

Soaring ceilings, grand staircases, and restored mouldings meet sleek modern furnishings and bespoke art pieces, creating an atmosphere of understated luxury. Each spacious room features minimalist elegance, freestanding bathtubs, and views of the courtyard or city. The hotel’s El Patio de Atocha Restaurant & Cocktail Bar is a stylish social hub serving Mediterranean cuisine under the open sky, surrounded by lush greenery and a tranquil pool.

Sometimes a holiday is all about getting out and exploring. And then there are the times when the hotel is an idyllic base that becomes a destination in its own right. The Casa Munich Hotel is a case in point. Lovingly developed to be a home-from-home, the Casa Munich also boasts an astonishing location. Nestled between pearly beaches, the rolling Salinas salt plains, and the historical heart of the island, the Casa Munich is a hidden gem. Expect peace, tranquillity, crystal-clean pools, and an uninterrupted night’s sleep in crisp, cool linen. In the morning, step out and lose yourself in the beating heart of the island. This is a perfect hotel for anyone looking to explore Ibiza for the first time, or who admires articulate design and understated comfort.

Casa del Limonero is a remarkable boutique guesthouse hotel, set in a historic Sevillian mansion, meticulously restored to highlight its striking architectural features including Mudéjar arches and central courtyard fountain. Tucked away on one of the Santa Cruz quarter’s quietest streets, near the Royal Academy of Literature and within sight of the Giralda bell tower and Seville Cathedral, it surrounds guests with layers of culture, design, and history.