Best Luxury Hotels in Spain

The former residence of the Empress Eugenia de Montijo, this five-star hotel has echoed its regal Renaissance past through a contemporary take on palatial decor, retaining original features such as stained glass domes and marble mosaic floors. Just 200 meters from the city’s stunning cathedral, it’s well-placed for sightseeing on foot. Local dishes can be sampled at Eugenia de Montijo’s restaurant Library Ferderico (named after the Empress’ designer) and there’s Mazapán Corner for Spanish pastries. SPA Club Eugenie’s Bath is a nod to the building’s previous owner and incorporates the old Roman hydraulic system and Mozarabic walls.

Alfonso XIII, great-grandfather of the present king, ruled until Spain declared itself a republic in 1931, and commissioned this centrally-situated hotel during 1929’s Expo 29 in Seville. Modernity mixes with Moorish and Spanish tradition in its elegant interior and stunning facade while dining outlets complement the meeting and function rooms. Sample authentic Andalusian cooking in the restaurant, or share tapas favourites in ENA by Carles Abellán. Meanwhile, as you might guess, the Bar Americano shakes (or stirs) a mean cocktail in an Art Deco setting.

As soon as you arrive in the building, the connection with wine is made clear, as an impressive bottle installation greets guests in the lobby. Pay a visit to the spa and you can book treatments which use wine-based products (guestroom toiletries are also infused with vino), or you can just drink it, in the restaurant, bar, or via a wine tasting arranged by staff. Golf is another draw for guests coming here; bedrooms and a dining terrace overlook the course with its pretty mountain views. And the gourmet offer is enticing, with its signature eatery, L’Olivera, cooking up Catalan favourites showcasing the local catch.

Inspired by traditional Andalusian architecture, this exclusive and luxurious hotel and resort is the perfect summer getaway. Blending the best of traditional Mediterranean lifestyle with contemporary living, the Finca Cortesin offers incredible cuisine, impeccable service and blissful tranquillity. Built around two sunny courtyards the hotel only has 67 rooms and yet feels palatial in style and space. Rooms are spacious and filled with light – a notable feature is their beautifully high ceilings. Spaces in the hotel manage to be both elegant and luxurious whilst still offering a lot of comfort. We adore the statement printed textiles which stand out against the warmly neutral décor. Surrounding the hotel is 23,000 sqm of landscaped gardens, a luxurious Thai spa, an incredible 4 swimming pools (our favourite is the heated indoor pool with views of the coast), tennis courts, and a spectacular beach club. The hotel is not lacking in dining options either – choose between the relaxed terrace restaurant El Jardin de Lutz, the Michelin-starred Kabuki Raw serving up Japanese-Mediterranean fusions, the traditional Italian brasserie from Sicilian chef Andrea Tumbarello, Don Giovanni, or casual tapas and drinks from The Blue Bar.

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.

Reserved for adult travellers, La Isla y El Mar was the first hotel in the world to receive the Biosphere Responsible Tourism certificate, awarded by the Unesco Institute for Responsible Tourism. Alongside its 81 modern suites, is The African Secret, the hotel’s wellness centre, a buffet dining area and an on-trend a la carte restaurant. If you’re in need of some time in a cool, calm oasis, book a stay here. 

A former 19th-century military fortress carved into golden cliffs overlooking Palma Bay, Cap Rocat stands as one of Mallorca’s most extraordinary hotels. This clifftop retreat features just 30 unique rooms and suites built into the original fortress structure. Dine at La Fortaleza restaurant for avant-garde cuisine, unwind at the Sea Club’s waterfront setting, and rejuvenate at the underground spa carved 12 metres into the rock.

Dating back to the 1930s, this neo-baroque building used to be Logroño’s Post Office. It lives up to its name and history, with walls decorated by stamp collages, mail art, original post boxes flanking the entrance, the Matasellos “Postmark” restaurant, and a collection of vintage postcards, including some antiques from the eighteenth century. In 2021 the hotel received a full makeover, upgrading rooms, the spa and the indoor pool area. Aurea Palacio de Correos also has a terrace for drinks with a view and a delicious choice of meals made using Riojan produce.

A futuristic masterpiece and a feat of building brilliance, this one-of-a-kind 61-bedroom property was designed by the lauded architect Frank Gehry. In the countryside just outside the beautiful medieval town of Elciego (The City of Wine), it’s a place of contrast, where the old meets the new. The avant-garde style continues inside, where bedrooms have cloud lamps and Porsche-designed electric kettles. Two restaurants – 1860 Tradición and Marqués de Riscal Restaurant – are under the direction of Michelin-starred Chef Francis Paniego. The Vinothérapie® SPA Caudalie Marqués de Riscal offers treatments using wine as a key ingredient, as well as hydrotherapy including a heated pool and barrel bath.

Mas de Torrent captivates as an elegant, timeless sanctuary in the Empordà countryside of Costa Brava. This distinguished Relais & Châteaux property centres around an 18th-century Catalan masía (farmhouse) that has been restored while preserving its authentic character and soul. The estate encompasses sophisticated suites distributed between the historic main building, garden bungalows and two signature suites, some featuring private pools and secluded terraces with sweeping views across the golden landscape.

There’s the signature Mas de Torrent restaurant showcasing Catalan culinary heritage, to rejuvenating treatments at the spectacular 600m² standalone Mas Spa with its heated indoor pool.

Lloret de Mar is one of Costa Brava’s premier destinations and it’s here that Hotel Santa Marta is found. Yet this property is hidden away, in an exclusive forested location beside Santa Cristina beach (this is accessed via a woodland path). The 76 room hotel is within reach of the town, yet provides plenty of activities on-site, such as tennis courts, beachside yoga, a waterfront pool with jacuzzi, supervised kids activities and an Ayurvedic spa. Guests can also bring their pets along when holidaying here. Fine dining is available at Hotel Santa Marta and there are two bars – one indoor, one alfresco.

The Gran Hotel Miramar has brought 5-star glamour back to Malaga capital, the birthplace of Picasso. Opened in 1926 by Alfonso XIII, the hotel has been completely restored and the new interior design is different for each floor being decorated in a different style, these being either Arabic, Mediterranean or Modernist. Book one of the extraordinary signature suites, the Crown Suite (with a circular bed!); or the Royal Suite with its exceptional and expansive private, sea-facing terrace. This hotel is situated in the heart of the city of Malaga, so there are plenty of shops and museums within walking distance.