San Sebastián, as all the world knows, is a small city in the Basque Country whose reputation as a global gastronomic capital goes before it. It still seems remarkable that a town with no more than 190,000 inhabitants should harbor no less than 19 Michelin stars among its innumerable restaurants and bars—a concentration greater even than Manhattan’s. In the matter of characterful hotels, however, it hasn’t cut the mustard in quite the same way—which is all the more surprising given San Sebastián’s long history as a watering place for the Spanish bourgeoisie.
True, there was always the glorious María Cristina, a timeless classic and still one of Spain’s very finest grand hotels. But in a city once defined by characterless four-stars and cheap-and-cheerful pensiones, a glut of fine hotels has come along at once, building on the arrival of Akelarre, the high-design addendum to Pedro Subijana’s restaurant on Igeldo Hill. Chief among them is the revival of Villa Soro, the cool urban address Hotel Arbaso, and, of course, the renowned Nobu name, which enjoys a prime beachside spot on the Miraconcha promenade. With more on the way, the city can finally match its starry cuisine with a clutch of great places to stay. Here, we profile the best of them.
How we choose the best hotels in San Sebastián
Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury properties and boutique and lesser-known boltholes that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We’re always looking for beautiful design, a great location, and warm service—as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new hotels open and existing ones evolve.
The best hotels in San Sebastián at a glance
- Best for luxury: Nobu Hotel
- Best for history: Hotel Maria Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel
- Best for location: Lasala Plaza
- Best for families: Zinema7
