Best Luxury Hotels in Spain

Sierra Nevada starts the winter season with the much-anticipated arrival of a new destination hotel, Maribel. This reimagined alpine ski chalet opens under the new ownership and management of Puente Romano Beach Resort and Marbella Club, responsible for the renowned El Lodge Ski & Spa. Ideally located at the foot of the slopes, Maribel is the sophisticated ski and après ski chalet with a mix of high-altitude fun both on and off the piste for families, friends, and winter sports enthusiasts. With a season that lasts until the start of spring and coincides with the winter sports period of the Sierra Nevada resort, Maribel will have 29 rooms and suites, including the signature Maribel Penthouse Suite. Situated at 2,250 metres, with direct access to the Maribel and Águila slopes, Maribel offers its guests the perfect plan on and off the pistes. Once at this alpine lifestyle hotel, guests will find a compelling blend of wellness and dining. The hotel’s lounge and bar, with a ski-in/ski-out outdoor terrace, promises a unique après ski atmosphere. Maribel’s restaurant provides a ‘dining club’ experience with an alpine flavour. There’s even a Nordic-inspired spa where guests can rest their weary muscles after a day on the slopes and unwind under the stars.

This sleek venue was born in the 1970s as a restaurant. Enjoying spectacular success, it held two Michelin stars for 25 years, before securing a third in 2007, which it retained. Of course, the food is a massive draw, but in 2017, the arrival of rooms and a spa, made it the complete boutique dine and stay experience. Circular wooden terraces take advantage of the panoramic seaside views, as do private indoor/outdoor heated plunge pools in exclusive suites. Cantabrian multi-sensory cuisine is served in the top-class restaurants, Akelarre and Espazio Oteiza, with chef Pedro Subijana at the helm.

A region popular for wine tourism, Rioja Alavesa (specifically the village of Samaniego) is home to this boutique two-storey establishment, part of the Edmond de Rothschild Heritage portfolio. The stunning front elevation features wrought iron balconies and with just 9 rooms, it feels more like you’re a mansion guest as you climb the 17th-century original stone staircase to bed. Suites are named after wines, designed using natural regional materials and filled with local crafts and artworks. Chef Bruno Coelho blends French and Basque flavours with farm-to-table dishes at Tierra y Vino Restaurant. Two terraces accommodate a charming spot for drinks and a stone-clad pool.

Found at Carrer d’Aragó in Catalonia, OD Barcelona attracts a young audience with its relaxed house music and quirky interior. The rooms are made from bamboo, and the property is in typical OD hotel design. It’s a few minutes walk from Paseo de Gracia, which is one of the trendiest shopping avenues in Barcelona. The terraced rooftop has a solarium and pool where guests can spend their evenings marvelling at the goings-on below.

Located just 500 metres from Valencia Airport and served by a complimentary shuttle, Hotel Port Azafata Valencia is a modern four-star hotel ideal for short stays, business trips or family stopovers. Part of the Port Hotels group, the property sits in the suburban area of Manises, offering convenient access to both the airport and central Valencia. The hotel features a clean, functional aesthetic with neutral tones, light wood flooring and contemporary finishes throughout.

There are approximately 128 rooms and suites across a variety of categories. These range from compact single rooms with pool views to spacious family rooms and junior suites with hydromassage bathtubs. All accommodation includes wooden flooring, air-conditioning, blackout curtains, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, desks and private bathrooms with either a bath or shower. Premium categories add bathrobes and extra space for families or small groups.

Dining is focused around C el & Mar Restaurant, where Mediterranean and rice-based dishes take centre stage. Guests can also enjoy lighter bites from the Tapas & Snack Bar, a daily breakfast buffet, or refreshments in the casual lobby café.

The hotel offers a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a gym with views over the pool area, and a sauna. Business travellers benefit from seven meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 350 people, along with a dedicated business centre and event support services. Free on-site parking and a scheduled airport shuttle add further convenience.

The Melia Hotel is located in the heart of Alicante, nestled between the Marina and Postiguet beaches it rises out of the glistening Mediterranean. It is the perfect hotel for those guests seeking a balance between work and pleasure as it is situated right next to the cities bustling financial area. The hotel is also near the Santa Cruz neighbourhood and the Santa Barbara castle making it a great place from which to explore the history of Alicante. The rooms are comfortable and well equipped with many boasting sea views. The hotel has two pools, a gym and a sun terrace. For those wanting to taste local and regional cuisine the hotel’s Trasluz restaurant is the perfect choice. Yet if you desire more international and creative food then look no further than the Hotel’s Bribone restaurant.

The Level at Melia Alicante is an exclusive adult-only hotel for those guests wishing to work and relax at the same time. Situated inside the Melia Alicante the Level offers guests an added level of luxury and peace. The elegant and modern rooms and suites, some with glorious views of the Mediterranean, are ideal for those travelling for work or romance. The rooms are spacious and well-equipped with some even offering access to the hotel’s infinity pool. The hotel’s infinity pool overlooks the glistening Mediterranean making it the perfect place to relax in after a long day of work. The private Level Lounge offers guests a quiet place to work and relax throughout the day and is equipped with complimentary drinks and snacks for guests to enjoy.

The Avante-Garde Hotel Hospes Amerigo Alicante occupies a refurbished Salesian convent making it a magnificent place from which to explore Alicante and let down your hair. Its playful and light rooms seamlessly blend Mediterranean architecture and modern comforts. The hotel’s Bodyna spa is unique as one can enjoy a massage all whilst gazing out over the city. Its Fondillon restaurant is a gastronomic delight serving marvellous local dishes with chefs using only the best local ingredients. For guests wanting a more relaxed dining experience the Barra Fondillon tapas bars provides guests with a casual dining and drinking experience inside a traditional Alicante bar. The hotel also has a rooftop terrace where guests can enjoy delicious cocktails and house music all whilst watching the sunset over Alicante. After a night of good food and drink guests can visit the hotel’s dedicated breakfast restaurant Terraza Calle Mayor which is the best way to start your day, on Sunday it even hosts a relaxed brunch.

The AC Hotel Alicante is a great choice for business and recreational guests alike. Situated a stone’s throw away from the nearby commercial centre, city centre and Paseo de la Explanada the AC Hotel Alicante is a good base from which to explore Alicante. The rooms are sleek and modern to give guests optimal comfort. The hotels fully equipped fitness centre and outdoor swimming pool gives guests the opportunity to stay fit and relax after a day of work or recreation. The Hotel also has an onsite lounge where guests can work in during the day and enjoy a cocktail in at night. Whilst the lounge does offer some limited food options there is no onsite restaurant, yet this encourages guests to go out and explore the culinary delights of Alicante.

Welcoming guests for a quarter of a century, this hotel is housed in a Renaissance palace. The vibe is discrete and classy, rather than glitzy, with excellent, unobtrusive service. It’s small and intimate; there are 13 classically decorated bedrooms (replete with Bulgari toiletries and coffee makers), plus there’s a private lounge, but no restaurant. But as the Rector is right in the heart of the city, there’s a wealth of culinary options on the doorstep and staff will gladly provide recommendations to suit your preferences. The lounge is the place to relax post-sightseeing, drink in hand — its stained glass window and oriental rugs are stunning.

Also known as The Quiet Hotel, this is a peaceful haven for adults only. Housed in a refined mansion, it has 23 rooms, each with private terraces. The hotel is big on art and wellness. There are two outdoor swimming pools (one of which is heated with hydrotherapy), hammocks, sunbeds, a sauna, a gym, a spa with a variety of treatments and a bike garage for cyclists. The public areas feature paintings and sculptures by Mallorcan and international artists. And the hotel’s gastronomy is based on local ingredients, with the bar offering an excellent range of Balearic vermouths.

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.