Spain offers an array of unforgettable stays across its diverse regions, ranging from Barcelona‘s vibrant streets to the historic charm of Seville. Whether you’re exploring the cultural hubs of Madrid and Bilbao or seeking a serene island escape in La Palma or Mallorca, these curated accommodations provide a balanced blend of luxury, comfort, and unique experiences, each reflecting the distinct character of their surroundings.
Best for: Cultural connoisseurs
Since its 1919 inception as the city’s first five-star hotel, an unwavering pride in local heritage is reflected in this property’s cultural experiences. The Great Hall reception room at El Palace Hotel Barcelona offers a rotating gallery of regional emerging artwork and also features musical performances. While the six signature Art Suites replicate the preferences of famous guests such as Salvador Dalí. Situated a short stroll from Gaudí’s La Pedrera and Casa Batlló, “we also encourage guests to visit smaller hidden gems like the newly opened Museu de L’Art Prohibit, the first museum housing international censored art in [ironically] a protected historic building,” says Arantxa Dominguez Garrido, the hotel’s communication manager.
Good to know: Take a little piece of culture home from select regional suppliers. “Our signature scent comes from artisan perfumer Carner Barcelona, and we work closely with Raima, a fantastic family-owned stationery shop,” says Garrido.
Best for: Eco-enthusiasts
Situated inside the biodiverse Serranía de Ronda region, Finca La Donaira is a restored nine-room cortijo(rural farmhouse) that features an upscale eco-retreat, biodynamic farm, and Lusitano horse equestrian center. Guests are nourished body and soul with ‘seed-to-plate’ meals via onsite organic and medicinal gardens and a farm on 1,730 acres of meadows, oak trees, and ancient ruins. Participating in curated activities is another way to appreciate the environment. “One special experience that reflects the hotel’s essence is shinrin-yoku, a Japanese practice combining nature and mindfulness alongside[in our case] nearly-extinct Andalusian donkeys,” says Ronald Jacobs, the general manager of Finca La Donaira.
Good to know: For adventurous travelers, guided hikes and trips to the Ruins of Acinipo can be arranged, as well as outdoor activities, including paragliding and rock climbing.
Best for: Family Fun
A deluxe seaside family resort featuring two outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a horseback riding center, and subtropical gardens, the real standout of this 115-room and 16-villa property is the mammoth 53,820 square-foot Kids Club. For guests ages 4 to 14, activities range from painting and cooking classes to supervised science experiments to gardening—while parents enjoy a break at the wellness spa or the neighboring golf course. When ready to regroup and explore, Marbella’s old town and Puerto Banús are just minutes away, or a bit further afield, visit picturesque towns like Estepona and Ronda. Older By car, families with children can drive 20 minutes from the hotel to wander by nearby forests, or from Estepona (a 20-minute drive to western coastline), to enjoy a dolphin-watching excursion.
Good to know: At the recently inaugurated expansion, Finca Ana María, “children can embark on treasure hunts, listening to exhilarating tales beneath the storytelling tree or learn about biodiversity,” says Kids Club manager Marta Arrese.
Best for: Architecture lovers
A protected Asset of Cultural Interest (ACI) since 2009, this classic hotel is “considered an important 18th-century Baroque structure still preserving most of its original architectural elements”, says Palacio de Villapanés’general manager Jesús Bonilla. Once the home of the Marquise de Villapanés, each room has distinct period elements: the Torreón Suite, for example, boasts coffered ceilings and a 19th-century marble bathtub. In public areas, guests can admire details like the triple-arch gate and columned courtyard with a hexagon-shaped fountain along with handcrafted wooden doors, shutters, and ceilings.
Good to know: The city’s top historic attractions are a short distance away on foot. Standouts include the Catedral de Sevilla, the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, and the Real Alcázar, a design marvel of multi-cultural palaces built over centuries.
Best for: Romantics
Neighboring the sleepy village of Puigpunyent and the Tramuntana Mountains (a UNESCO World Heritagesite) as a dramatic backdrop, this 17th-century manor house, dressed in luxurious textiles and curated antique furnishings, is a fairytale dream come to life. The 31 rooms and cottages—meticulously adorned with charming period touches— inspire romantic moments, as does the ornate Green Bar and Mar & Duix restaurant, where couples can enjoy classic cuisine accompanied by live musical acts. The newly minted spa, featuring a decadent saltwater pool, outdoor spaces overlooking vineyards, and a private vegetable garden, complete the relaxed, intimate setting.
Good to know: For a memorable escape à deux, the hotel offers sailing excursions to the island’s lesser-known beaches and hidden coves or to witness sunset views from the shores of Cabo Formentor.
(Plan your trip with our list of the top things to do in Spain.)
Best for: Oenophiles
A two-hour drive from Barcelona, the 24-suite Mas d’en Bruno sits in the award-winning Priorat wine region, home to robust reds harvested from steep, terraced vineyards. Vino lover amenities include vinotherapy spa treatments and “a choice of wine tastings, either with the resident sommelier in the new wine cellar or vineyards, or a Wine Masterclass with a renowned, local wine expert filled with anecdotes and a walk through our 50-year-old vines”, says Jesus Heras, CEO of The Stein Group. “To promote local winemakers to our visitors, [restaurants Tarraco and Vinum and Bruno’s Bar] offer over 200 wines, 70 percent of which come from Priorat.”
Good to know: After visiting popular local wineries Perinet and Clos de l’Obac, partake in the hotel’s stargazing experience (available every two weeks), complete with an astrology expert and thematic cocktail.
Best for: Gourmands
A must for inventive Spanish cuisine seekers, celebrated Michelin-starred chef Quique Dacosta oversees all five in-house dining areas—including the décor. The glass-topped Palm Court serves a classic breakfast spread and afternoon tea adjacent to the intimate Champagne Bar, offering top-tiered bubbly and caviar. Outdoors, the leafy Ritz Garden features paellas and BBQs. Cocktail bar Pictura pours inventive drinks in a gold-tinged space highlighting local celebrity portraits in vintage dress—a creative nod to the Prado Museum nearby. The property’s two-star Michelin Deessa, takes diners on a three-hour epicurean journey by way of Históricos, an indulgent tasting menu serving Dacosta’s artfully plated signature dishes.
Good to know: Salón Condesa Maslov, Deessa’s private dining room, is named after Margaretha Geertruida Zelle, better known as the infamous Dutch spy Mata Hari. She used the pseudonym when reserving a stay in 1916.
Best for: Art aficionados
A privileged locus overlooking the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and Jeff Koons’ Puppy floral sculpture sets the scene for the hotel’s contemporary collection of artwork peppered throughout the property’s renovated spaces. “While we continually update our installations, we completed major renovations and rebranding this year,” says marketing manager Erik Garcia Blanco. A million Times 120, an animated piece comprising 120 clocks in continuous motion, is one of several notable pieces. As is Fossil Cypress, a stone-filled vertical tower by multi-medium artist Javier Mariscal, whose whimsical paintings adorn the property’s 10 modern suites.
Good to know: For a deep dive into local art culture, the hotel arranges private tours to the Guggenheim, the neighboring Fine Arts Museum, and the Abandoibarra art district.
Best for: Thalassophiles
The lighthouse, inaugurated in 1867, boasts a heroic tale dating back to World War II. As the story goes, a British battleship sank near La Palma. Ninety-seven castaway sailors survived the attack when spotted by the property’s lantern three days later. Housing guests since 2019, all three suites—in varying sizes and décor—offer a breakfast basket and views over the Atlantic Ocean. For the best viewpoint, however, climb 155 stepsto the lookout for a glass of wine and a striking seaside perspective.
Good to know: The surrounding area is wild and ideal for hiking and mountain biking. “The coolest I participated in was a route from the Roque de los Muchachos summit down to the lighthouse’s infinity pool,” says Tim Wittenbecher, the co-founder of Faro Punta Cumplida.
Best for: Design devotees
The hot pink façade of Casa Beatnik, a restored 18th-century manor house, is the first clue that this is no ordinary countryside hotel. The eye-popping, red-tiled pool is the second of many distinct design oddities. “Our aesthetic is driven by three countries close to my heart: Morocco for its sumptuous combinations of color and sublime craftsmanship, France for its music and artistic confidence, and Italy for a proper dose of polish and panache,” says founder Daniel Alonso. A 20-minute drive from Santiago de Compostela, the chic, artsy vibe spills onto onsite restaurants Tribu and Bambola, serving contemporary Galician fare and international favorites. To enhance your stay, book a luxury yurt fashioned after Kyrgyzstanian models, available year-round.
Good to know: For artistic inspiration, the hotel offers immersive guided walks to UNESCO World Heritage cities Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, or Lugo. And for the fearless, head out on a personal pilgrimage along the legendary Camino de Santiago.
(The best time to visit, must-try food, and more in our essential guide to Spain.)
Jessica Benavides Canepa is a lifestyle journalist with words at AFAR, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Robb Report, Time, and more. Follow her adventures on Instagram.
