The 10 Best Hotels in the Basque Country, Spain

Since 1990, Ercilla López de Haro boutique hotel has provided their guests with quality and luxury. It is located in a renovated historical building which formerly housed a local printing press, whose last print can be seen on the wall of the hotel. Ercilla López de Haro offers large rooms complete with flat-screen TVs, some of which offer a private living and dining area and huge bathrooms. A restaurant is located on the first floor, offering a pleasing breakfast which is included in the rate and a champagne bar perfect for a romantic evening.

Wonderfully located on the riverbank of the River Nervión, the Hotel Conde Duque has stunning views of the Calatrava Bridge and is close to the center of Bilbao and its main sights. Only 750 meters away is the world-famous Guggenheim Museum, of which Hotel Conde Duque is a corporate member of, in the Associated Business category. This modern hotel strives to promote the city and its cultural events and points of interest. As for the guests, Hotel Conde Duque prioritizes relaxation and enjoyment, offering comfortable air-conditioned rooms as well as a restaurant and a cocktail-bar.

Inside one of San Sebastian’s beautiful Historical Heritage Buildings built in 1898 is HotelVilla Soro, a luxury hotel made up of two separate buildings. Helpful and friendly staff makes customers feel welcome at this hotel and the elegant décor adds to the relaxed atmosphere. Filling breakfasts are served in a pretty dining-room and there is impeccable bar service both inside and out on the quiet terrace. Offering free beach towels and bikes for guests to use, it is clear that the Hotel Villa Soro truly caters to their guests’ every need.

Set on the top of a small green hill on one side of San Sebastián’s Concha Beach is a little family hotel which boasts stunning views of the Basque coastline. Hotel Leku Eder is a cozy and pleasant place to stay, with old-fashioned décor but of good taste, which adds a homely touch. The breakfast offered also mirrors the general homely feeling of this hotel, with a continental breakfast being served, including homemade local cakes. Hotel Leku Eder (leku eder means beautiful place in Basque) is truly a gem in Donostia-San Sebastián.

Coming to Casa Rural Aristondo, a small hotel surrounded by nature, is taking a step into the Basque countryside, although it is still only 10 minutes away from the city center by car. Usually peacefully silent, occasionally you can hear the neighbors’ farm animals. Enjoying a delicious breakfast on the terrace with a magnificent view of rural Donostia-San Sebastian is just one of the joys which you can experience at this haven of a hotel. Casa Rural Aristondo has four well-sized rooms, equipped with a mini-fridge and microwave, and is the perfect location for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Jardines de Uleta is a modern hotel, located in the suburbs of Vitoria-Gasteiz, only a short tree-lined walk away from the town center. Jardines de Uleta boasts fantastic accommodation, with king-sized beds in large rooms which contain well-equipped shower rooms. Full-length windows overlook open greenery with a beautiful horizon of hills. The restaurant and bar offer traditional Basque dishes and snacks, including the world-famous pintxos and in 2014, the hotel was nominated at the Hotel Initiative Awards as the Best Gastronomic Hotel. Whether through gastronomy or location, staying at Jardines de Uleta is a superb way to experience the modern-day Basque culture.

The 16th century ancestral farmhouse which is known in the town as the Palacio de Elorriaga is now a luxurious hotel. Having been renovated but still respecting its beautiful original architecture, the building of the hotel has come far over the past years, which saw it being occupied as a prison for priests and a bomb-shelter during the Spanish Civil War among other things. The rustic décor brings charm and character to Hotel Palacio de Elorriaga, which offers rooms that have been modernized without losing the roots of the house, in which you can indulge in relaxation and peace throughout your stay.

In the old side of town stands Palacio Guendulain, a former family estate where even Queen Isabel II stayed once. Now a four-star hotel surrounded by history, Palacio Guendulain offers luxury to its guests. There are still many relics inside the hotel which recall the building’s past: a horse carriage from the 18th century, a porter’s chair and a beautiful fountain. Continental and hot breakfasts are served in a pleasant dining room which has excellent views of the Consejo Square. Palacio Guendulain’s history, central location and the modern and comfortable rooms are the perfect combination for a wonderful stay.

Along a little cobbled lane, on the top of the hill is Pamplona Catedral, a quirky and cozy hotel in the old town of the city. Because of its location, the hotel offers fantastic views of the mountains and the town. Offering different types of rooms, whether it is a standard room or a suite, this hotel has something to please everyone during their stay. The restaurant at Pamplona Catedral Hotel shows where the hotel got its name: inside a beautiful snowy-white chapel of a former convent is where delicious and varied meals are served.