13 Best places to stay in Basque Country

Built by Charles Mewes, the architect of the Ritz Paris and Ritz Madrid, San Sebastian’s grandest hotel was named in honour of its first guest, the Regent Maria Cristina.

To celebrate its centenary in 2012, it underwent a massive facelift, buffing up the opulent Belle Epoque rooms that have played host to movie stars galore during the city’s annual Film Festival.

Located in the heart of town, it’s as suited to first-time visitors as Hollywood heartthrobs, with spacious bedrooms and lovely views of the water.

There’s a sumptuous breakfast buffet in the elegant dining room, a royally plush bar and terrace, and Café Saigon restaurant with an all-Asian menu.

It’s an easy walk to the beach and the buzzy bars and restaurants in the old town. Its neighbour on the elegant riverfront paseo is the equally opulent Victoria Eugenia Theatre, which plays host to the Film Festival.

Bilbao’s most luxurious grand dame hotel, this gleaming landmark dates back to 1926. It’s only 400 metres from the Guggenheim Museum, at the start of the ‘Golden Mile’ of high-end boutiques, bars and restaurants, and within walking distance of the Casco Viejo with its characterful tapas bars.

A touch of old-fashioned class recalls the days when it played host to the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Ava Gardner; the gorgeous lobby with its stained glass and sweeping grand staircase adds a sense of occasion to your check-in, and easy valet parking means road-trippers can simply ditch their car at the door.

There’s elegant dining at the Aratagan restaurant, a clubby bar for cocktails and pintxos and a summer terrace.

Special weekend packages include a double room, buffet breakfast and two tickets to the Guggenheim. For a blow-out stay, book the top-floor Imperial Suite.

This petite, light-filled hotel by Barcelona designer Antonio Miro is emblematic of post-Guggenheim Bilbao, with chic, black and white minimalist rooms, contemporary photographs, library, a cool spa and laid-back, helpful staff. There’s an honesty bar and free umbrellas to borrow on rainy days.

The location, on Bilbao’s ‘Golden Mile’ of exclusive shops and restaurants (the Gran Via), is superb – and only a five-minute walk from the Guggenheim and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Upper floor rooms with a river view are best: the views at night, when the Guggenheim is illuminated, are spectacular.

After designing Bilbao’s Guggenheim, Frank Gehry brought his titanium-shaping skills to the Rioja region to create the ultimate wine hotel. Rising above the vine-clad hills, with the Cantabrian mountains filling the horizon, the estate is a short walk from the medieval village of Elciego.

The hotel forms part of a wider ‘City of Wine’, alongside the Bodega Marqués de Riscal and the Caudalíe Vinothérapie Spa (an offshoot of Bordeaux’s wine and grape spa), with an indoor pool and fitness room.

The estate also boasts its own wine bar, the informal 1860 Tradición restaurant with lovely views and a superb Michelin-starred restaurant.

Guests are entitled to a free tour of the bodega, one of the oldest wineries in the area, and you can hire bikes to explore the La Rioja hills.

With its unique glass façade placed directly opposite Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum, this cool design hotel allows you to drink in the ever-changing colours of Frank Gehry’s titanium-clad masterpiece.

The hotel itself is a kind of prelude to the contemporary arts museum, too – from its towering pillar sculpture of white stones in the lobby to the contemporary paintings that brighten the minimalist, white-and-charcoal rooms (some with premium ‘Guggenheim views’).

There’s no better way to start the day than digging into the Domine’s extensive breakfast on its lovely roof terrace, which becomes an excellent Basque restaurant after dark.

Hands-on staff and a well-equipped gym top off this superb base – a stylish and modern base in arts-obsessed Bilbao.

Hidden away among the vineyards, 2km from the charming Basque fishing port of Getaria, this exclusive eight-room hotel is set in a typical, half-timbered Basque baserri (farmhouse).

Incredibly peaceful and quiet, this is a romantic place to relax and get away from it all, making it popular with couples. The vibe is akin to staying at a friend’s country house: rooms are large and ooze rustic chic, with enchanting views over the rural landscapes.

Immediately surrounding the hotel are vines, farmhouses and sheep-filled meadows, while slightly further afield is the spectacular coast, crowned by Getaria’s lighthouse.

A superb, locally-sourced breakfast is served al fresco, accompanied by birdsong, but there’s no restaurant.

From Getaria you can follow the beautiful coastal path to Zarautz (approx 3km); you’re 20 minutes by car from San Sebastian.

There are special two-night packages for touring cyclists or for fashionistas keen to visit the nearby Balenciaga Museum.

Inspired by San Sebastián’s famous film festival, this stylish boutique hotel is set in a former cinema, with movie-inspired décor and affordable room rates.

Each of its large, quiet rooms – with super-comfy beds – is dedicated to a different film star or director who has appeared at the festival. Continuing the arts theme, there’s a great media room with books and DVDs to borrow, with players in every room.

The hotel has a  good restaurant, Bistoreka, and serves a breakfast buffet, but you’re better off heading to the adjacent café, where you can order what you fancy.

It’s worth noting that the hotel is a fair old hike from the centre of town and the beaches – about a 20-minute walk, albeit along a pretty riverside path. But you’re staying in an authentic residential area, with cheaper shops and restaurants than those in the city centre. There’s an onsite garage, a bus stop is across the street and the train station is within walking distance.

A swish Belle Epoque building overlooking San Sebastian’s mesmerizing La Concha bay, Lasala Plaza has been rejuvenated as a romantic and relaxing boutique hotel.

Even if you don’t book a seafront room, you can take in the views from the cool rooftop pool and bar; the kind and helpful staff will make you feel right at home; and there’s an excellent contemporary Basque restaurant, which is popular with the locals.

It also has a convenient underground car park and valet parking for road-trippers. This is a stylish and sociable base for visitors to this foodie, seafront city.

This hotel, set right beside northern Spain’s most fashionable beach, is a reasonably-priced, family-run treasure in San Sebastian, near enough to the sea to hear the waves.

The key here is simple grandmotherly charm, down to the old-fashioned lift: the rooms are bright, and nearly half enjoy a spectacular view over La Concha bay, on a lively, bustling seafront promenade lined with swanky shops and bars.

The bar-restaurant has a convivial waterfront terrace, where delicious breakfasts are served each morning.

There’s a small garage that fills up fast; if you’re driving, it’s essential to book a spot and finding parking anywhere nearby is tough.

Niza is an easy walk to the city’s main sights and renowned pintxo bars, and guests can borrow bikes if they want to go any further.

Housed in a beautiful 19th-century ‘British-style’  villa in the lively San Sebastian suburb of Gros, this 25-room hotel set back in gardens is a wonderfully tranquil base for visiting Spain’s foodie city.

It’s within striking distance of the old town – a 20-minute walk or five-minute bike ride away – and the city’s legendary three-Michelin-starred restaurant Arzak is a few minutes’ stroll.

Hardwood floors, oak panelling, antiques and blazing log fires make it cosy all year round, and the free garage parking is a rare bonus in San Sebastian.

Enjoy breakfast on fine china or a snack and glass of Rioja in the bar or on the terrace, and there are free bikes to borrow for exploring.

If you have kids in tow or a car to park – or simply want to avoid the bustle – this hideaway feels apart from, but still connected to, the city.

This imposing, historic hotel, with its distinctive white Belle Epoque façade, sits right on San Sebastian’s seafront, with uninterrupted views across La Concha bay.

Many rooms have splendid views over the beach, and there’s a stylish and affordable ground-floor restaurant, Brasserie Mari Galant.

Set on a glamorous seaside promenade, the hotel divides the lively beach scene from its bustling centre, so expect a fair amount of noise and action in peak summer.

It’s perfect for first-time visitors and romantics, who will love the sense of history and being lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves.

The bars and restaurants of Parte Vieja are only a 15-minute walk away, but the hotel bar is a key gathering place for locals, too, and great for people-watching – in good weather, sit out on the seaside terrace.

Within walking distance of San Sebastian’s main sights and only 100m from La Concha beach, this hotel occupies a golden stone-built convent dating back to 1887, alongside a tall modern extension. The newer section has a sun-drenched roof terrace with a good-sized pool, and modern bedrooms with tranquil, natural-feeling raw woods and pale greens.

The smart, slightly retro lobby and lounge – with throw-draped sofas and shelves full of art books – are in the former convent, which is decorated with colourful neo-Renaissance murals and a star-spangled ceiling.

The onsite parking (for a fee) is an added bonus for drivers exploring the area.

A few blocks from San Sebastian’s La Concha beach, this warm, relaxed and family-friendly hotel goes the extra mile for foodies and first-timers who really want to tap into the city scene.

Neoclassical on the outside, minimalist and contemporary within, it offers free guided tours of the city in English, tastings of Basque foods and wines, a complimentary coffee and soft drink corner, and a handy free guide to the local restaurants and pintxo bars.

There’s a petite, modern gym, and rooms come in various shapes and sizes from single (great for solo travellers) to a grand suite with a terrace, sleeping four. Brilliant value for groups or families.

They also have bikes for rental – and if you’re here to ride the waves on Zurriola, the city’s surfing beach, they will store your board and wetsuit (a nearby shop rents them out).