Discover the Flavours of Spain

Set right on La Concha beachfront, the historic Hotel Londres is housed in a grand belle epoque-style building, and has been welcoming guests for over 100 years. Occupying such prime city location, this opulent four-star hotel has become somewhat of a city landmark, offering luxurious and modern facilities, with a touch of old-world charm. The guestrooms and suites are spacious and light, featuring classic design and neutral tones, with small splashes of colour in the artwork and soft furnishings. Choose to wake up to the spectacular views of the sea and the famous promenade or the charming Xabier Zubiri Square and the city’s old town. San Sebastian is of course all about food and gastronomy, and the Hotel Londres is no exception. Dine on delicious Basque cuisine in the modern La Brasserie Mari Galant restaurant, paired with spectacular views over La Concha Bay, followed by a cocktail in the classic Bar Swing. Relax and rejuvenate after exploring the city by heading along the beach to La Perla Thalassotherapy centre, an opulent spa with modern-day technology and luxurious treatments.

The grande dame of San Sebastian hotels, the Maria Cristina sits overlooking the Urumea River and is set an elegant belle epoque-style building. It first opened its doors back in 1912 and since has hosted everyone from royalty and aristocrats to Hollywood celebrities. Its lavish gold and marble interiors exude grace and refinement, while its 136 rooms and suites add stylish touches of modernity in their colourful contemporary artwork and high-tech features. Choose from river, garden or city views, or even your own private terrace. Each morning begins here with an extravagant breakfast in the grand breakfast room, surrounded by Corinthian columns, heavy damask drapes and ornate plasterwork, while in the evenings pintxos (Basque-style tapas) and cocktails can be enjoyed in the Dry Bar, inspired by the glamour of the golden days of Hollywood. Dinner is also offered at the Asian-themed Saigon Café. With sites such as the San Telmo Museum of Basque Ethnography and History, the impressive Buen Pastor Cathedral and the pretty La Concha Beach right on your doorstep, it’s ideally situated.

In the charming village of Villabuena de Álava, surrounded by the Basque mountains and celebrated vineyards of Rioja, the Viura’s stacked cubed form contains cool and bright interiors that amplify the surroundings. 29 rooms are unobtrusively luxurious, with floor to ceiling panoramic windows, some with views over the quant village streets, the neighbouring San Andrés Church and to the Cantabrian mountains on the horizon. Six suites feature a separate living room and private terraces. Gastronomy takes pride of place here, with an intimate restaurant offering exquisite tasting menus of creative Rioja and Basque cuisine, paired with an extensive wine list by the Viura’s sommelier. Guests can enjoy a wide range of wines from the region and fully immerse themselves in the local viticulture on tours to local vineyards, tasting sessions and tutorage in pairing. The surrounding area can be explored on borrowed bicycles and the village swimming pool, a great place to relax and mix with the local, is open to guests and sits next to the hotel.

Eye-catching against the green of La Rioja’s hills, Hotel Marques De Riscal’s striking and innovative roof has been designed to reflect the precious liquid that’s produced in the celebrated adjoining winery of the same name. Created by architectural genius Frank Gehry, the roof resembles a sail in the wind. It’s stripes of titanium are coloured in shades of silver that represent a wine cup, gold for the cap of a bottle, and of course, red to embody the wine itself. Catch the hotel on any different day, and its hues will appear to have changed in the sun. With just 43 rooms divided between two wings connected by a bridge, a stay in this boutique hotel and winery will be an immersive experience. Due to the varying placements of the hotel’s huge windows, each room leaves a difference impression. When you’re not out sampling the delights of the region’s oldest winery, sit down to a meal in either of the hotel’s two restaurants, one boasting a Michelin star. As expected, the wine list is impressive and features collections which date all the way back to 1862. On a sunny day, there’s nothing more pleasant than enjoying a gourmet meal on the terrace and admiring the views of the distinctive countryside and the quaint town of Elciego. Should you fancy some indulgence, the Vinotherapy spa boasts a design-focused indoor pool and multitude of luxury treatments based on the grape. If you can bear the crowds, visit in Autumn to experience the full process of the grape harvest. Regardless of the season, you can look forward to wine tours, tastings, and pairings, as well as a profusion of exhilarating outdoor activities such as balloon rides, biking, and horse riding.