Hotel Akelarre—Relais & Châteaux, San Sebastián

Pros

• You'll stay in a luxurious 5-star hotel with unique avant-garde architecture.
• The location is prime if you want to be out in nature, as it's perched overlooking the Basque coastline and the Bay of Biscay.
• Enjoy the Michelin-starred Akelarre restaurant, with exceptional culinary creations. There's another eatery that has an incredibly unique terrace with sea views.
• You can relax in the indoor pool and spa, featuring a heated hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, and treatment cabins.

Cons

• The hotel is located roughly 10 minutes outside of San Sebastián, so it may not be the best option if you want to stay in the city center.

Authenticity

Hotel Akelarre offers a luxurious and authentic experience, perfectly blending its avant-garde architecture with the natural surroundings of the Basque coast. Designed by the architecture studio Mecanismo, the hotel uses high-quality raw materials to create a warm and welcoming environment. 

Location

You'll be perched on stunning views along the Basque coastline and Bay of Biscay cliffs. The trade-off to this tranquil setting is that Hotel Akelarre is a 10-minute drive from the center of San Sebastián. Still, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the Basque coast while still being conveniently close to the city's attractions.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The rooms at Hotel Akelarre are designed for luxury and comfort, featuring sea views, seating areas with sofas, furnished terraces, large dressing rooms, and the option for king beds. The en-suite bathrooms offer bathtubs, separate rain showers, bathrobes and slippers, 100% natural toiletries, and hair dryers. Each room is also equipped with modern technology, including a Bang & Olufsen sound system, Apple TV, and espresso machine.

Amenities

The Akelarre Spa provides an adults-only oasis for relaxation, featuring three treatment cabins, a sauna, a steam room, and a heated hydrotherapy pool with hydromassage jets. Enjoy the spa's relaxation area with loungers, tea and infusion offerings, and stunning sea views. You can use their numerous spa services like massages, facials, body treatments, etc. The hotel also has a 24/7 fitness room with Technogym equipment. The hotel’s common areas, including the spa area, are accessible for those with wheelchairs, and there is also an adapted room. 

Family-Friendliness

The hotel is unsuitable for families as children are not allowed; the minimum age for check-in is 18. 

Other Highlights

For meals, you can enjoy the Akelarre Restaurant, which has three Michelin stars and is led by Pedro Subijana. It offers world-renowned cuisine in a spectacular setting, as does the Espazio Oteiza eatery, with fine wines and unforgettable sunsets over the Cantabrian Sea. You also have the option to go wine tasting in the cellar or even book a cooking course at the restaurant. There is a cozy lounge with a fireplace and a library where you can unwind or sit on the terrace overlooking the sea with a drink or tapas from the bar.