Best Luxury Hotels in Spain

The Cotton House Hotel, part of the Autograph Collection, is housed in the former headquarters of the city’s cotton guild – a stunning 19th-century neo-classical property. We fell in love with this hotel from the second we walked through the door. Perfect for a romantic break, it offers easy access to the city’s major attractions, 83 refined rooms including some four-poster beds, divine Mediterranean cuisine, and even its own library. The communal areas are rich in history with original features and antique furniture. The rooftop pool with a view looking out to the Sagrada Familia is stunning as is the elegant terrace dining area and cocktail bar.

Located in the very heart of Barcelona on Passeig de Gràcia, the Mandarin Oriental is just seconds away from the city’s luxury boutiques and only a 2-minute walk from the Gaudi-designed Casa Batlló. Fusing modern interiors and timeless style from Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola, the 120 rooms are bright and airy. Book a suite for a freestanding whirlpool tub, terrace and even kitchen. Gourmet Michelin-star dining is available in three restaurants – one of which is al fresco. The addition of a  relaxing spa, first-floor terrace, indoor pool for year-round dips and a rooftop pool with views out over the city makes the hotel one not to be missed.

Another of Melia’s seafront properties, ME Sitges is found on Paseo Marítimo, beside a quiet stretch of beach, close to the town’s attractions. A kidney-shaped pool is surrounded by loungers and four-poster daybeds, swathed in muslin drapes. The decor is minimalist, with an emphasis on light, bright and flowing spaces, complemented by state of the art technology and funky black and white photographic art. Its main restaurant, Beso (meaning ‘kiss’), explores creative Spanish cooking, while three bars serve drinks and lighter meals — its Radio Rooftop Bar is on the eighth floor and specialises in multicultural street food with regular live music.

For some of the best views around, book a room at Melia Sitges with a terrace overlooking the Garraf Nature Park or Mediterranean sea. The four-star hotel has 307 types of accommodation, including suites and family rooms. Indeed it’s an excellent choice for those travelling with children; The Kids&Co programme provides special toiletries for younger travellers, chocolate milkshakes and cookies at bedtime on your arrival day. Breakfast is served buffet-style at Noray restaurant and caters to international tastes with over 100 different products, while Saffron Mediterranean Bistro has menus containing everything from light bites and cocktails, to main meals.

New to Sitges is the Sabàtic Sitges, Autograph Collection hotel. This chic hotel features 90 stylish and comfortable suites, each with a balcony or sea view terrace and interiors of neutral interiors designed by Barcelona-based interior designer, Sandra Tarruella. The hotel’s Mediterranean restaurant, Pasatempo, led by renowned Catalonian chef Rafa Peña and features an idyllic outdoor terrace. Guests can also enjoy an adults-only outdoor pool, daily wellness activities like yoga and Pilates, and stunning views of the Balearic Sea.

Like the Forum Boutique Hotel, this is better suited to an older clientele — children aged 12 and over are welcome. Hotel Can Mostatxins is named after a butcher (specifically his notable moustache) who once lived in these sensitively restored 15th and 19th-century buildings. A plunge pool and spa are hidden in an atmospheric courtyard and there are just eight bedrooms, ensuring a boutique experience. It’s independently owned and very homely. There’s no restaurant or cafe, but the hotel is conveniently located close to the town square, with restaurants and bars a stone’s throw away. Its public areas comprise an honest bar, library and small boutique.

Proving Alcudia isn’t all about young families, this is a hotel catering exclusively to adults. Exposed natural stone walls, pine beams, clean lines, Scandi furnishings, contemporary watercolour artworks, oversized freestanding tubs and industrial-chic lighting all contribute to a peaceful sophistication at Forum Boutique, which first opened in 2018. Guests can swim in an outdoor saltwater pool, relax in the interior garden and stargaze from the terrace hot tub. Forum Boutique has 16 bedrooms in total, a shared lounge and a bar and is located along a pretty cobbled street, a few minutes walk from the town marketplace.

Those seeking an all-inclusive holiday with five-star service and amenities need look no further than the expansive Zafiro Palace. Its facilities and 369 bedrooms are spread across multiple single-storey buildings, creating a low rise village-like feel. Stay here and you can swim in no less than 12 different pools (one catering for adults only), play on the golf course, visit the Zen Spa and dine in four themed restaurants (again, one is for adults only), as well as an international buffet. The Zafiro Palace is a family paradise too, with a kids’ club, organised sports and a food offering designed to appeal to younger – in addition to more mature – palates.

30 suites at this adults-only barefoot-chic retreat are furnished with Bang & Olufsen TV and sound systems, minibars, Nespresso machines, L’Occitane and Bulgari toiletries. The seaside property’s airy decor takes its cue from both Japanese and Scandi influences, creating a modern, soothing effect. The resort has three saltwater swimming pools (one infinity-style that’s semi-hidden and overlooking the ocean) within its grounds. Dine indoors or alfresco at Asador de Mar, on meaty feasts cooked over an open fire. Pleta de Mar is found a 15-minute walk from the east coast town of Canyamel and is an hour’s taxi ride from the airport.

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.

For those who want to be pampered in every possible way, there are few hotels that can compare to the Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel. As you might expect golf is at the heart of the hotel’s draw and guests are able to play unlimited golf at no cost when they stay at least one night. Even those who are not big fans of teeing off will appreciate the luxurious spa treatments, numerous restaurants and services that include private airport transfers. There are amenities for children as well as adults, and the hotel is designed to be a haven just outside of the hustle and bustle of Palma de Mallorca.

In a dreamy location in the Galatzo nature reserve, with the Tramuntana Mountains as a backdrop and just a short walk from Puigpunyent village is Gran Hotel Son Net. This beautifully Spanish country house is resplendent with marble floors, tall vaulted ceilings, and sumptuous textiles, walls are adorned with quirky artworks by the likes of David Hockney interspersed with antiques and historic bits and pieces. The main lobby is a cavernous space with lofty ceilings, tiled floors and comfy sofas. The 31 rooms are uniquely styled and super spacious. They each have a lovely romantic rustic charm about them, many with beamed ceilings, patios all with stunning marble bathrooms. The hotel boasts an intimate cocktail bar, a 30-metre pool set amongst lush manicured gardens, wellness centre for treatments and massages which can also be carried out alfresco, plus an incredible treehouse that can accommodate up to 8 guests for special occasions! For gourmet dining, Oleum is the hotel’s offering, a restaurant with exposed stone walls and old wooden beams. Gran Hotel Son Net is the ideal Spanish countryside retreat.