I am planning a trip to Spain next month. We haven't picked any particular city, but want to find a place that has a great luxury hotel.
Any suggestions?
Do you have a preferred city or area you would like to visit?
Madrid, Barcelona or perhaps somewhere smaller like Seville or the island of Majorca/Mallorca?
Are you interested in staying outside a city, perhaps in a beach resort or vineyard hotel?
A search here in the luxury forum or the Europe forum might help you focus on a particular area.
La Residencia Majorca/Mallorca is lovely and has a nice rural spanish feel.
I struggle to find a really good hotel in Barcelona and Madrid. Although there are some nice hotels in both cities which I enjoy, they are not destination hotels.
I enjoyed Marquis de Riscal, the only hotel designed by Frank Gehry. It is in a vineyard in Elciego. The loops of pink, lavender and gold titanium are meant to look like the pulled back foil around the top of a champagne bottle. There is a nice Caudalie spa here.
It's easy to put together a trip of the Basque area of Spain, beginning in Bilbao to see the Guggenheim, then down to Elciego and up to San Sebastian. There is a concentration of amazing gastronomic restaurants in the Basque area. You would want to buy the Michelin Red Guide.
Luxury hotels and Spain do not really go together. However, for better than average quality, try the Hospes group of hotels - they have some very nice properties all over the country, including Mallorca.
Otherwise, Spanish city hotels are not great. Best resorts are on Mallorca - Hospes Maricel, Gran Hotel Son Net.
I would highly recommend Maricel. The pool terrace is very nice indeed. When it first opened it was a bit stark, but I was there in August and it had a lovely relaxed atmosphere.
I have never been to La Residencia, but would be keen to try it.
In Marbella, I really enjoyed the duplex rooms at the Los Monteros (http://www.monteros.com/en/). The beach club is very nicely done, as is the service and resort grounds. Many of the staff have been there for years and take great pride in the property. I recall they they offer airport transfers with a Rolls Royce.
In Madrid, I had a good experience at the Westin Palace hotel, which is very centrally located and is well run. Lovely lobby and rotunda bar area. Many rooms offer a small terrace.
In Barcelona, I have heard very good things about Hotel Arts.
I would highly recommend Maricel. The pool terrace is very nice indeed. When it first opened it was a bit stark, but I was there in August and it had a lovely relaxed atmosphere.
I have never been to La Residencia, but would be keen to try it.
Did you now that they just opened the annexe across the road at Hospes Maricel? It has a tunnel from the main hotel and includes a proper spa with excellent views.
La Residencia is a magical property but unfortunately as with so many Orient-Express hotels the food is dreadful. Pity as it used to be good when the hotel was privately owned.
Hotel Arts in Barcelona continues to work rather better than most other Ritz-Carltons, but it is a very large hotel and is not in a great part of town if you want to sightsee, although the sea views are good.
Did you now that they just opened the annexe across the road at Hospes Maricel? It has a tunnel from the main hotel and includes a proper spa with excellent views.
La Residencia is a magical property but unfortunately as with so many Orient-Express hotels the food is dreadful. Pity as it used to be good when the hotel was privately owned.
Hotel Arts in Barcelona continues to work rather better than most other Ritz-Carltons, but it is a very large hotel and is not in a great part of town if you want to sightsee, although the sea views are good.
I saw the construction going on last August. My concern was whether the additional rooms would mean a crowded pool area (one of my pet hates, as you may have noticed!).
I was disappointed by the Hotel Arts Barcelona on two visits. The service was very poor on both occasions. My last visit was 4 years ago, so perhaps it has improved.
I smiled when Moonbeam suggested The Marbella Club and Punte Romano. I like to visit both for dinner and drinks when staying in the Marbella area but I havent stayed as a guest at either hotel. They are rather flash in the way that only some mediterranean resorts can be...not everyones taste but can be fun!
I was disappointed by the Hotel Arts Barcelona on two visits. The service was very poor on both occasions. My last visit was 4 years ago, so perhaps it has improved.
I smiled when Moonbeam suggested The Marbella Club and Punte Romano. I like to visit both for dinner and drinks when staying in the Marbella area but I havent stayed as a guest at either hotel. They are rather flash in the way that only some mediterranean resorts can be...not everyones taste but can be fun!
I am at the Hotel arts now, service on my last few visits has been great i stay here fairly often!
Yeah they are eurotrash but good hotels all the same!!
Best resorts are on Mallorca - Hospes Maricel, Gran Hotel Son Net.
The Mardavahl on Mallorca, now a St Regis property, was nothing short of fabulous during my stay 5 years ago. The spa rivals any hotel I have seen in Asia.
