Best Independent Style Hotels in Spain

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.

Located in a 19th-century building in Valencia’s Eixample Noble District this chic boutique hotel perfectly reflects the elegance and charm of Valencia. Each of the stylishly appointed 66 rooms and suites offers guests plenty of space, modern amenities and natural light. Valencian gastronomy crafted using local produce is served in the traditional Andalusian style Ampar restaurant with a welcoming and charming atmosphere. Al fresco dining and drinks can be enjoyed on the terrace and informal garden space. Within the hotel is Bodyna spa, the ultimate place to relax and enjoy wellness experiences along with an indoor pool-jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and a fitness area. The boutique hotel is within easy walking distance of the historic centre where guests will find themselves in one of the most vibrant and enchanting areas of the city.

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.

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

Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean sits the H10 Playa Meloneras Horizons Collection in Gran Canaria’s scenic Meloneras area. The hotel is comprised of a lush selection of comfortable and contemporary guestrooms and suites with options from the Privilege Service which offers exclusive rooms and amenities including the Doble Privilege Terrace with views out to sea or over the pool from its expansive terrace. There are five à la carte dining venues featuring Il Trastevere and Sakura, serving Italian and Teppanyaki Japanese cuisine respectively, as well as a buffet restaurant with show cooking. The hotel’s four bars include the poolside Naturalia and the Lobby Bar with live music. Guests are invited to take full advantage of the Despacio Spa Centre with bithermal shower and other wellness facilities. The hotel also provides guests with fitness facilities including a fully equipped gym and tennis courts. There are heated outdoor swimming pools including a gorgeous infinity pool and a children’s pool. The H10 Playa Meloneras Horizons Collection entertainment programme is sure to suit guests of all ages throughout your stay.

This is another converted palace with a view of the bell tower, but this one dates from the fifteenth century. Despite the recent renovation, the original features and style have been respected, with rooms grouped around the central indoor courtyard, while another patio has its own well. The attention to detail continues with the care and attention that staff give to their visitors, with even kettles being provided. Terracotta flooring cools the bedrooms, some of which contain carved wooden ceilings; spaces range from standard double to suites, and there is disabled access. A Basque restaurant features a charcoal grill, and in another nod to that region, there’s also a Pintxos Bar.

The Lodge Mallorca offers that rare and perfect balance – a serene retreat that still embraces discovery and adventure. This boutique sanctuary, with signature lavender fields, in the UNESCO-protected Sierra de Tramuntana welcomes guests with elegantly appointed suites, between the historic farmhouse and standalone buildings across the 157-hectare estate. Days unfold at your preferred pace – perhaps lounging by the stylish infinity pool, indulging in fire-cooked Mediterranean cuisine at ‘Singular’ restaurant, rejuvenating in the wellness area with its pool and wooden barrel sauna, or exploring over 20km of private trails.

A converted 19th-century building homes the airy Boutique Hotel Calatrava, which sits as part of a façade of buildings that used to form an ancient Arabic wall in Palma. The hotel is decorated in a contemporary Spanish style – there is a lot of natural wood throughout, interesting art adorns the clean walls, and the furniture is a stylish mix of modern and vintage. There are only 16 rooms for a truly boutique experience, all of which have King size beds and spacious closets. We recommend going for a suite if you can as you are guaranteed a view over the bay of Palma from your private balcony, perfect for lazy holiday breakfasts. The Boutique Hotel Calatrava also offers a comprehensive luxury concierge to ease the stress of travelling – from organising day excursions to booking your private yacht, their staff can do it all for you.

Just off Passeig de Gràcia, a stone’s throw from Gaudí’s Casa Milà and close to Avinguda Diagonal, home to most of Barcelona’s designer boutiques, sits Barcelona’s the Sir Victor Hotel. Its ever-evolving design has kept its cutting edge since it opened in 2003 and the hotel’s restaurant Moo is one of Barcelona’s best. The communal areas are a work of art, with the 91 rooms taking a crisp and fresh design and featuring original artworks, Bose sound systems, Nespresso machines and rainfall showers The hotel’s rooftop terrace and plunge swimming pool are the pinnacles of urban living.

With its concept deeply rooted in the island’s culture, S’hotelet Des Born is centrally located in Ciutadella de Menorca, close to the infamous Plaza del Borne, found on Menorca’s stunning south eastern coast. Exquisitely designed, this five-star hotel truly is a sophisticated sanctuary. Enjoy the spacious rooms, nearby restaurants and spa. The Thalis Spa, built in an ancient cave forming part of the hotel’s basement, provides a peaceful oasis in which to relax and replenish.

El Vicenç de la Mar is an adults-only design hotel on Mallorca’s northern coast above the hamlet of Cala Sant Vicenç. This contemporary boutique property features 35 rooms and suites across ten categories, including swim-up rooms and a penthouse with private pool. Dine on Michelin-starred chef Santi Taura’s cuisine at U Mayol bistro and El Vicenç restaurant, unwind at the comprehensive Wellness Studio, and enjoy rooftop cocktails with sea views.

Occupying a refurbished building in the centre of Santander the Gran Hotel Sardinero is the perfect place from which to explore the delights of Santander with the Gran Casino and Magdelena Palace only moments away.  Whilst the hotel occupies a historic building its interior is modern and has a maritime feel to it. Its rooms are elegant and welcoming with many boasting glorious sea views and some having private terraces where guests can sit out and watch the sunset over the glorious Bay of Biscay. The hotel’s restaurant prides itself on its gastronomic excellence offering guests a range of traditional meals which are made only with the finest local produce. The restaurant is open and spacious making it the perfect place for fine dining.  The Gran Hotel Sardinero is a great choice for travellers who like relaxed luxury and who want to explore all the sites Santander has to offer.