Spain has something for everyone: great weather, superb food, and 5,000 miles of coastline, not to mention spectacular hotels. No wonder, then, that some 83 million people chose to vacation here in 2019 before the pandemic struck. Better still, as of last month, Spain is once again welcoming visitors from the U.S. who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
If you are thinking of visiting Spain this year, there is no lack of excellent accommodation on offer. From an ultra-romantic rural retreat to a remote converted lighthouse, and one of Europe’s hottest new luxury hotels, here’s your ultimate guide to Spain’s dreamiest hotels.
Belmond La Residencia, Mallorca
If your perfect vacation involves total peace and quiet in an unforgettable setting, then Belmond La Residencia on the idyllic Balearic island of Mallorca is the hotel for you. Clinging to a hillside in the medieval village of Deià, La Residencia offers dramatic views of the Tramuntana Mountains and the glittering turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea below. The hotel itself is a romantic maze of cobbled paths, stone buildings, art, flowers and olive trees, set around two renovated manor houses dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Nothing is too much trouble for the exceptional staff who are on hand to cater to your every whim—so all you have to do is lounge by the pool, breathe the fresh country air and relax.
Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid
The ultra-luxe Mandarin Oriental Ritz hotel has finally opened following an extensive restoration. The Spanish capital’s most iconic hotel, which first opened its doors in 1910 as Hotel Ritz Madrid, went on to host royalty, politicians, corporate leaders, and celebrities for decades. Over the last three years, it has been meticulously renovated by its new owner, Mandarin Oriental, and now sports a chic new look—that features 153 luxuriously appointed rooms (including 53 suites) and a fine dining restaurant overseen by three-star Michelin chef Quique Dacosta—all while preserving its unique Belle Époque character.
Hotel Bodega Tío Pepe, Jerez de la Frontera
Fortified wines are trendier than ever, so what better time to visit the home of Spanish fortified wine, Jerez de la Frontera? Jerez is the Spanish word for sherry, so it goes without saying this is the place to sample it. Add some eye-popping architecture dating back as far as the 12th century and a gorgeous boutique hotel set in a 19th-century winery, and you know you’re onto a winner. Located right in the beating heart of the historic old town, between the Baroque cathedral and Moorish alcázar, Hotel Bodega Tío Pepe is a delightful 27-room hotel, complete with a multi-level rooftop terrace and pool, three restaurants, two bars and all the sherry you can drink.
Can Faustino, Menorca
The Spanish island of Menorca is like a smaller version of neighboring Mallorca, but wilder, with even clearer crystalline waters and more pristine powder sand beaches. This year, the island’s most sophisticated hotel, Can Faustino, just got even dreamier, with the incorporation of a further two buildings to complete the complex set across three restored 16th-century palaces. Situated in the ancient center of the charming town of Ciutadella, Can Faustino’s lush gardens, spa and elegant swimming pool have been designed with romance and relaxation in mind.
Molino Tejada, Cantabria
A river runs through the grounds of this intimate boutique hotel set in a 17th century stone mill on the banks of the Ebro River in the Cantabrian countryside in the north of Spain. Apart from the soothing rush of the water, which can be heard in the hotel lobby, as well as the two cabins with private, in-room jacuzzis perched right over the river, the only sound you will hear at Molino Tejada is complete silence (hence the hotel’s tagline, “The Sound of Silence”). The rural-chic interior is full of bespoke artworks, designed and collected by owner Celia Tejada, whose creative spirit is present throughout this one-of-a-kind hotel.
Marbella Club, Marbella
Founded in the 1950s by German-Spanish Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe, the Marbella Club is a timeless luxury resort in the midst of Andalusia’s ‘Golden Mile’. This boutique property’s Mediterranean beachside setting offers a modern vision that stays true to its original charm and heritage. Featuring a whitewashed Andalusian village aesthetic and luscious botanical gardens, complete with orange, lemon, avocado, fig and banana trees, the Marbella Club enjoys a unique microclimate in what is arguably Spain’s number one jet-set destination, making it ideal for year-round travel.
Faro Punta Cumplida, La Palma
If you have ever fantasized about spending a night in a remote lighthouse, look no further than Faro Punta Cumplida on the island of La Palma. Unlike busy Tenerife and Gran Canaria, La Palma is among the smallest of the Canary Islands and is often overlooked by travelers. Built in 1867, Faro de Punta Cumplida is one of the oldest lighthouses in Spain. Partly operating as a hotel since 2018, it invites guests to enjoy unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean from their beds, spot whales and dolphins from the top of the lighthouse, or sip a glass of wine by the infinity pool while listening to the sound of the waves crashing onto the cliffs beneath them.
Atzaró, Ibiza
Atzaró Agroturismo Hotel and Spa is one of the most exclusive rural hotels on the “white island” of Ibiza. Set on a sprawling estate of fragrant orange groves and verdant gardens, this generations-old farmhouse has been converted into a luxury boutique hotel. The 24 bedrooms feature terraces or gardens, while some also have dreamy private pools. The on-site organic garden supplies the hotel’s restaurants with natural, seasonal vegetables, fruits and herbs. Atzaró also boasts a sauna, hammam, gym, and yoga pavilions, in addition to its famous 140-foot-long freshwater pool—all of which will make you want to check in and never leave.
Hotel V, Vejer de la Frontera
The southern Spanish province of Andalusia is famous for its “pueblos blancos”, or white villages, scattered across the region’s hilltops. These enchanting towns are distinguished by their whitewashed houses, cobbled alleyways and jaw-dropping views of the surrounding countryside. With its Moorish-inspired architecture and panoramic vistas stretching all the way to the coastline, Vejer de la Frontera is perhaps the prettiest of them all. The best views can be found at Hotel V: a tiny boutique hotel, with only 12 individually designed rooms, set in a 17th-century townhouse, which also boasts a stunning rooftop terrace with sun loungers and a jacuzzi, an honesty bar and a sensual subterranean massage room.
