Hotel Akelarre, Relais & Châteaux

A short drive from the center of San Sebastian, Hotel Akelarre is a dream come true for travelers who love food, wine and wellness.

• The mesmerizing views of the coastline, with epic sunsets
• The hotel’s cocktail program and three-Michelin-starred restaurant Akelarre
• A design that’s both cozy and contemporary

Akelarre chef Pedro Subijana wanted to offer his guests five-star accommodations to match the experience at his iconic restaurant, which he has been running since 1975—and the result was this tranquil property. Located on a beautiful section of Basque coastline overlooking the water, the hotel is surrounded by traditional houses nestled into the hillside.

The sleek and modern hotel was built from rustic, natural materials like stone and wood, which allows it to blend in seamlessly with the landscape. Inside, the centerpiece is a spiral steel staircase that takes you from the ground floor to three floors below, where you will find the bar, terraces, spa and rooms. Despite the striking contemporary design and mid-century style Italian furniture, the hotel still feels warm and cozy. 

The hotel’s 22 rooms are built into the hillside, each one with a furnished terrace offering stunning views of the sea. The rooms are light and bright, with a simple yet chic design that incorporates warm wood colors and soft textures. Bathrooms are spacious, with rain showers and separate tubs, as well as oversized mirrors that reflect the sea. The Akelarre Suites—the hotel’s highest room category—come equipped with an indoor/outdoor heated plunge pool.

Restaurant Akelarre—where Subijana has helped shape Basque cuisine for more than four decades—sits at the top of the property and has floor-to-ceiling glass windows that look out over water. Other food and drink options include a cocktail bar on the hotel terrace run by the renowned mixologist Patxi Troitino, with a menu that has an entire section dedicated to infused gin and tonics, and Oteiza, a casual offshoot of Akelarre that serves straight-forward Basque-inspired dishes such as roasted lamb shoulder with vegetable couscous. (Breakfast is also served at Oteiza). Next to Oteiza’s bar, there’s also a wine cellar, where guests can arrange for a tasting.

Wellness is a focus of any stay at Hotel Akelarre, which has a three-room spa that overlooks the water and incorporates natural products from Sisley Paris into its treatments. Before or after a massage or facial, guests can relax with a hydrotherapy circuit that includes a sauna, steam bath and heated pool.

Hotel Akelarre is an adults-only hotel that is best for couples, thanks to its quiet, romantic feel. It’s also for travelers who want a peaceful stay away from the action of the city (though a transfer service to San Sebastian is available twice a day).