Best Luxury Hotels in Spain

Close to Marbella’s Marina and main attractions, Hotel Don Pepe Gran Melia offers guests one of the most luxurious hotel experiences in Marbella. With its serene gardens and beachfront access as well as cheerful and spacious rooms the Hotel Don Pepe Gran Melia is the perfect place for guests to relax in luxury. The hotel’s modern and open rooms have a range of views from the sea to the mountains. The unique RedLevel experience caters for those guests who are seeking the most luxurious experience. RedLevel offers guests tailormade VIP treatment with access to exclusive VIP areas, priority booking and round-the-clock assistance. Joining forces with the acclaimed cosmetics brand Tacha Beauty the hotel’s spa and wellness centre provides guests with world-class wellness facilities, it is the perfect place to relax and decompress. With 2 outdoor swimming pools, a gym, a golf course just moments away and live music in the hotel’s bars, there is always something for guests to do. The hotel’s Erre and Urrechu grill is a carnivore and wine enthusiast’s dream offering the ultimate grill experience for guests. Guests can also retire to the hotel’s Audrey cocktail bar for bespoke cocktails and mouthwatering pastries. The Tahini restaurant on the hotel’s seafront terrace also offers guests the chance to dine on delicious Asian cuisine whilst watching the sunset over the divine Costa del Sol.

Situated in the centre of Marbella the iconic El Fuerte Marbella has played host to the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Walt Disney. With the Plaza de los Naranjos only a 5-minute walk away and the San Luis Castle occupying an area in the hotel’s grounds, El Fuerte is the best place from which to explore Marbella. Despite the hotel’s rich heritage, its interior, designed by renowned Chilean designer Jaime Beriestain, is tasteful and modern. Every inch of the hotel’s interior and rooms has been perfectly curated to give guests the ultimate luxury experience. The hotel has a plethora of facilities and restaurants. Le Marche restaurant serves exquisite Mediterranean food as does the Levante Restaurant, both priding themselves on their use of local ingredients. The hotel’s Soleo restaurant is the perfect seafood restaurant for all guests and the hotel’s Coffee House run by Adrian Fernandez provides guests with delicious coffees and pastries.

A 14th-century Dominican monastery, this hotel has historic river view rooms (singles through to suites) in its Casa Grande and minimalist self-catering villas overlooking the vineyards. Christopher Colombus once stayed in the Tuscan inspired property, which is located in the lush Duero Valley, just 10 minutes from the city centre. It incorporates a winemaking hacienda – frequent guided tours are offered – and from which the hotel’s wine cellar is stocked. Produce from the onsite organic farm is also served in gourmet restaurants. Hacienda Zorita exudes understated luxury, with two pools, a terrace and open-air movie nights in the summer.

Rooms at Hospes Palacio De San Esteban come with hardwood floors and sleek furnishings accented by mid-century and antique pieces. The five-star amenities include minibars, pillow menus, robes and slippers. Dine on Castillian sharing dishes at El Monje restaurant, which features a roaring fire, an indoor tree and stunning high ceilings with dramatic original stone arches. Or eat alfresco, at the contemporary styled El Patio de Los Olivos. Enjoy a drink beside the vintage fountain, or recline on a poolside lawn lounger. Once the San Esteban Salesian Convent, the hotel’s modern ethos is to ‘find, feel and belong’.

Very sleek and modern, with a hint of urban chic and simple Scandi design influence, this stylish boutique hotel has a bayside position in Santa Cruz de Oleiros, close to La Coruña’s centre. It’s fully committed to sustainability, with a strong environmental focus — geothermal energy is used throughout. 32 airy, open-plan bedrooms have extra long beds, blackout drapes, terraces and floor-to-ceiling glass windows. NOA Gastro Lounge is its award-winning restaurant, complemented by the alfresco NOA at la Taberna. Climb to the rooftop to experience the highlight of an Insta-perfect infinity pool and jacuzzi. Noa Boutique Hotel also offers in-room massages, a gym and a Wellness Club.

Next to the historic centre and an easy stroll to the beach, this hotel brings together classic and contemporary design. Every room at the NH Collection comes with a hydro-massage bath and a minibar, with spacious family suites available. Dinner at the hotel can be taken at La Terraza, accompanied by stunning views and live music, or at the Novo Restaurant, both offering vegetarian and child-friendly dishes. Guests staying here have access to multiple pools, a gym and sports courts and you can bring your pooch along for the stay too, with NH’s accommodating pet policy.

Set in a 19th-century building which was once one of the oldest perfumeries in the capital (and retains many original features), the JW Marriott oozes all things fragrance; from the lobby aroma, to the personalised olfactory journey curated for each guest in collaboration with the Spanish Perfume Academy, to wellness treatments and El Patio JW Garden, where many of the botanical and herbaceous ingredients used in the food and drink, are grown. Taste those uber-local flavours in the QÚ restaurant which is headed by the two Michelin-starred chef Mario Sandoval. The JW Marriott is a place to immerse in some of Madrid’s history and discover a unique part of its heritage.

UMusic Hotel Madrid, located just a few steps from the Puerta del Sol, combines accommodation in a five-star hotel with the best entertainment of the refurbished UMusic Hotel Teatro Albéniz. The choice of a renowned and well-known property within the epicentre of the city’s music and entertainment scene is part of UMusic Hotels’ firm commitment to recover a historic building and bring it back to life for the local community. The hotel, boasting 130 guestrooms and suites (including accessible rooms), has undergone careful renovation, elevating it into a distinguished 5-star establishment renowned for its design and comfort across every guestroom and suite.  With two exquisite lobbies, the esteemed “El Albéniz” restaurant, an inviting outdoor swimming pool, and the exclusive rooftop “Nota Alta” offering breathtaking views of Madrid’s skyline, along with well-appointed meeting rooms and direct access to the iconic theatre within, the accommodation sets a new standard of hospitality. This marks an international debut for UMusic Hotels, uniting with other projects across Europe, the United States, and Latin America to craft immersive music-centered experiences.

This hotel had an unenviable opening date in September 2020 during one of the toughest periods ever for hospitality. Yet this hasn’t prevented the stunning new hotel in Plaza de Canalejas from becoming a huge success. A total of seven historic buildings were brought together over an eight-year refurbishment period to form the Four Seasons in Madrid. The results are impressive – a four-level spa (arguably the best in the city) with a dreamy indoor pool, a massive art collection, a lobby eatery, a gastro bar and a stunning rooftop restaurant. Many of the buildings’ original features have been maintained adding to the now single building’s authenticity. 

Another property from a well-known chain, Autograph Collection’s Hotel Palacio Del Retiro is a 50-room boutique hotel. The building is just over 100 years old, having been re-imagined into its current form, from its original purpose as a grand home. Its location in the city’s magical art triangle is reflected in the eclectic design, fusing traditional Spanish style with contemporary simplicity. The Suite Bar serves light snacks and elaborate Mediterranean dishes, while the spa’s extensive menu provides everything from ayurvedic treatments to massage lessons, to fitness counselling. Guests can relax in the plunge pools and therapy baths and even get married in the hotel.

Relais and Chateaux handpick the finest international properties, each with its own personality, individuality and renowned gastronomy. The Heritage Madrid is situated in the heart of Madrid, on the leafy Barrio de Salamanca, a pleasant stroll away from the boating lake. Designed by Lorenzo Castillo, the style is somewhere between a stately home and a hip boutique hotel. The 46 rooms each have hardwood or parquet flooring, jacuzzis and many of the suites boast balconies. A meal at chef Mario Sandoval’s Restaurant Haroma is a must, with a choice of executive, tasting and hunting menus, as well as high tea and brunch.

The Hotel Gran Melia Palacio Los Duques is found in the refined Hasburg district, a short distance from The Royal Palace, Opera House and Cathedral. This modern resort is housed in a 13th-century convent and a 19th-century palace. It’s a popular choice for families, with 160 spacious rooms and a babysitting service. There’s also a valet, concierge, four eateries, 24-hour room service, a translation service, private tours, personal shoppers, a spa, a fitness centre and a lush peaceful garden. Plush textiles, period features and geometric patterns all merge to create a contemporary urban vibe. The hotel is a member of the American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts, and part of the wider Melia Group.