Hotel Maria Cristina

The Maria Cristina is San Sebastián’s grandest hotel and has been a fixture of the social and business scenes for over a century. It’s not on the seafront, but there are great views of the Urumea River and the Kursaal, the city’s iconic conference center and venue.

Since opening in 1912, this 136-room Belle Epoque beauty (designed by Charles Mewes, the same architect who did the Ritz Hotels in London and Paris) has embodied the genteel personality of San Sebastián, long a favorite destination of the Spanish aristocracy. The handsome building of ginger-colored limestone on the banks of the Urumea River looks better than ever after a recent renovation, and it’s a perfect location from which to discover one of Spain’s most charming and famous gastronomic cities.

Part of the Marriott’s Luxury Collection, the Maria Cristina remains distinctly Old World, with formal, even slightly cool, service, and a perceptible sense of self-importance. That said, it’s the best place to stay in San Sebastián for anyone who wants a full-service, bona-fide grand hotel. Rooms are attractively decorated in a soothing scheme of white and dove gray, with traditional furniture accented by modern pieces. The original moldings have been retained, however, and the spaciousness and high ceilings make the rooms very comfortable. Rooms on higher floors are quieter, and the best ones have views over the river.

Since many people visit San Sebastian for its world-class restaurants, the hotel has converted the former spa into the MIMO Cooking School, where guests can enjoy cooking classes, a wine tasting, or sign up for a local pintxos tour (there is still a full-service spa next door that partners with the hotel, if the need for a massage strikes). There’s also a well-equipped fitness center at the hotel, and San Sebastián is a great city for joggers.

Because there are so many spectacular places to eat in the immediate vicinity, the hotel doesn’t have a year-round restaurant. Instead, it hosts a pop-up in the summer season, run for the last two years by Francis Paniego (the chef at Michelin-starred Restaurant Marques de Riscal). The hotel is home to the upscale Dry Bar and a balustrade terrace—both lovely spots to relax with an afternoon tea or evening cocktail. Guests can also have breakfast on the terrace.

The Maria Cristina is a perfect choice for travelers who want a full-service hotel that’s within walking distance of almost everything in San Sebastián. It’s also family-friendly and overflowing with old world charm.