10 Best Hotels
San Sebastián curves around La Concha Bay, with green hills at either end and the Old Town tucked beside the harbour. Come for the food, from crowded pintxos counters to ambitious tasting menus, but leave time for the waterfront. Walk the promenade, climb Mount Urgull or cross to Gros to watch the surfers. Basque culture gives the city its character, and San Telmo Museum is a good place to begin understanding it.
Hotel Maria Cristina
City centre, Spain
Beside the Urumea River, Hotel Maria Cristina gives a San Sebastián stay the scale and ceremony of a grand European hotel. Its historic interiors, generous rooms and gardens suit travellers who enjoy a little formality, while the Old Town remains close at hand. Choose it for a celebratory city break, particularly if dinner at Amelia is part of the plan. River-facing rooms make the most of the setting.
Belle Époque grandeur
Akelarre
Igeldo, Spain
Akelarre sits above the Bay of Biscay on Monte Igueldo, pairing Pedro Subijana's restaurant with a small contemporary hotel. Large windows keep the sea in view, and the restrained interiors let the setting do much of the work. A spa provides a quiet counterpoint to an ambitious dinner. This is a place to settle into, with transport needed for most visits to the city centre.
A gastronomic retreat
Hotel Villa Favorita
La Concha, Spain
Villa Favorita occupies an original nineteenth-century villa directly beside La Concha's promenade. It offers the intimacy of a small hotel without giving up one of the city's most useful addresses. Interiors lean towards classic elegance, with decorative details and rooms that feel individual rather than standardised. Reserve a bay-facing category if the view is central to your stay, since other rooms face Zubieta Street. The hotel is intended for adults.
An intimate seafront stay
Hotel Villa Soro
Ategorrieta, Spain
Villa Soro trades the bustle of the beachfront for a nineteenth-century house surrounded by gardens. High ceilings, fireplaces and a carved staircase preserve the building's character, while its lounges encourage a slower start or a quiet evening after dinner elsewhere. The garden bar serves local delicacies. Choose it if a calm residential setting matters more than stepping straight into the Old Town, and allow time for the journey between them.
A garden retreat
Hotel Arbaso
City centre, Spain
Arbaso brings a darker, more contemporary aesthetic to central San Sebastián, using natural materials and clean-lined furniture rather than grand-hotel ornament. Its location makes the cathedral, shopping streets and beach easy parts of the same day. Narru, the hotel's restaurant, is a strong reason to book a table even when staying elsewhere. This suits travellers who want an urban boutique base with good food close to their room.
Contemporary Basque design
Lasala Plaza Hotel
Old Town waterfront, Spain
Lasala Plaza stands where the Old Town meets the harbour and La Concha Bay. Its contemporary rooms give a comfortable base for walking between the waterfront and the city's busiest eating streets. The rooftop is a particular attraction in summer, with views across the bay and port, while the lobby bar offers a quieter pause below. Request a sea-view room if the waterfront outlook is the reason for choosing it.
Harbour and bay views
Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra
La Concha, Spain
Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra has welcomed visitors beside La Concha for more than a century. Its traditional character suits the promenade, and the location makes it simple to alternate between the beach, central shops and the Old Town. Rooms vary in outlook, so a sea-view category is worth prioritising. Choose it for a recognisably grand seaside hotel with the city immediately outside, rather than a secluded resort experience.
Classic beachside comfort
Arima Hotel & Spa
Miramon, Spain
Arima sits beside Miramon Forest, giving a stay here a noticeably different rhythm from the seafront hotels. Natural colours, generous daylight and its Passivhaus approach shape the rooms, while the spa and seasonal rooftop pool support days spent close to the hotel. Misura focuses on seasonal ingredients and slow-fire grilling. It is best for travellers who welcome a green setting and are happy to travel into the city centre.
Forest-edge wellness
Catalonia Donosti
San Bartolome, Spain
Built around the surviving fabric of a former convent, Catalonia Donosti combines historic architecture with comfortable, English-influenced rooms. A rooftop pool and terrace provide a different perspective on the city, while the spa makes it a useful choice when the weather turns. Sea-view and terrace categories deserve a look when booking. The hillside position adds outlook, though visitors should consider the route back from the waterfront when planning their day.
Rooftop views and a spa
Mendi Argia
Ulia, Spain
Mendi Argia offers a more intimate alternative to San Sebastián's larger hotels, with just a handful of rooms in a restored villa on Mount Ulia. Oak, terracotta and dark stone give the interiors a warm contemporary character, while the outdoor pool and garden invite time away from the centre. It suits couples who value quiet and design, and who are comfortable arranging transport for restaurant reservations elsewhere in the city.
A small design hideaway