Best Independent Style Hotels in Spain

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.

This sophisticated five-star hotel complex can be found right next to the enchanting Dorada beach in Lanzarote’s leading resort of Playa Blanca. Guests here are treated to sweeping sea views that run out towards the neighbouring islands. Each of the guestrooms is expertly designed and very spacious, while the light and natural colours help to create the feeling of yet more space and light. Many rooms have their own small kitchens as well as ocean facing balconies. Among the first rate facilities that are just waiting to be enjoyed on the site itself are eight restaurants, a large spa and an enchanting outdoor swimming pool complex.

Puente Romano Marbella is an award-winning, experiential destination on the shores of the Mediterranean. This renowned Andalusian village-style resort offers elegant suites and private villas where heritage meets contemporary refinement. The ancient Roman bridge that stands within the resort’s beachside gardens inspires its name. Today Puente Romano invites guests to experience local flavours at El Pimpi and Sea Grill, alongside international icons like Nobu, COYA, Cipriani and GAIA. After sunset, COYA Club and NYX Marbella are the sought-after nightspots.

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.

Set in a nineteenth-century palace in the lively El Arenal district, this twelve-room hotel is four minutes along a narrow cobbled street from the Plaza Nueva metro station, and slightly further to the cathedral. Rooms have all amenities, with some boasting balconies, or terraces complete with orange trees. Other facilities include a rooftop bar next to a plunge pool and an on-site restaurant and cocktail bar. A lounge area is overlooked by a traditional courtyard and fountain, featuring the original marble spiral staircase in one corner.

The bold hotel El Llorenç, Parc de la Mar in Palma’s historic Calatrava neighbourhood adds style and sparkle to the area. This unique design hotel has superb interiors and guestrooms by Swedish designer, Magnus Ehrland; destination dining by acclaimed and self-assured Mallorca chef Santi Taura; a luxe spa; and a truly wow-factor triple-level roof terrace with an infinite pool that elevates the hotel design to new heights. This latest opening confirms Palma as the Mediterranean’s hip hotel hot spot.

Naturally elegant, with stunning hill top views, Torralbenc is a carefully renovated traditional farm, located near Alaior. It provides luxury accommodation in the heart of nature. This hotel offers beautiful rooms, blissful treatments, sea views as well as the nearby sandy beaches. The restaurant provides fresh, seasonal, traditional Minorcan food with a modern twist. As well as for nature lovers, it is perfect for those who want to indulge in some quality self-care. Their wellness experiences are open to all, not only guests staying at the hotel. Located between Mahón and Ciudadela, Torralbenc truly is a dreamy place in which to both get pampered or enjoy a relaxing stay in its idyllic settings.

Once you step across the threshold of Es Princep, you immediately notice you’re somewhere special – you are embraced by the warmth of welcome you’d expect from this Mediterranean island, but you also become immersed in the sophisticated vibe of a capital city hotel. Es Princep is a full-service luxury hotel. There’s the urban flair of its destination cocktail bar, Gremium (where mixologist and bar manager Andreu Genestar works his magic, bringing genuine cocktail flair to Palma’s vibrant bar scene); fine-dining at the hotel’s Bala Roja restaurant (named after the hotel’s historic district, overlooking the city walls); and the upscale pampering of ‘Coco’, Es Princep’s luxury oasis spa – whilst the capacious guest rooms boast sea views.

Hidden along a quiet street in Madrid’s elegant Chamberí district, Hotel Orfila offers the intimate charm of a grand private residence. A member of Relais & Châteaux, the 19th-century mansion houses 32 individually styled rooms and suites filled with antiques, silk drapes, and classic art, creating an ambience of refined serenity.

The hotel’s tranquil inner garden serves as an oasis amid the city bustle — a rare luxury in central Madrid. Culinary excellence is at the heart of the experience, with El Jardín de Orfila, led by Michelin-starred chef Mario Sandoval, serving exquisite Spanish cuisine in a romantic garden setting. Guests can also enjoy afternoon tea on the terrace or cocktails in the drawing-room bar.

Moments from the Prado and Retiro Park, Hotel Orfila combines old-world elegance with discreet, personalised service the embodiment of Madrid’s cultivated soul.

Located on the Costa Adeje Golf Course, the award-winning Hotel Royal Garden Villas boasts twenty-eight sensational 1- to 3-bedroom villas, each with a private, heated pool and features the Queen Villa with Pavillion. There are three dining venues, including the gourmet Jardín restaurant with its extensive wine cellar, as well as the option to enjoy floating brunch from the comfort of your own pool. There is also a weekly poolside dining experience with a tasting menu and live music. Guests can enjoy the exclusive Golden Pond Spa with lavish treatments and facilities including Hydromassage showers, a Turkish Bath, and a fitness centre. Unique couples Spa packages are also available. The hotel also boasts scenic sailing and fishing trips aboard the ‘Royal Garden’ boat where you can spot Canarian marine life.

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.

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.