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Hotel Akelarre

Akelarre

San Sebastián, Spain

Akelarre

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With three Michelin stars the Akelarre restaurant attracts diners from all over the world and has now been expanded into a hotel offering chic, contemporary lodging alongside world-class gastronomy. Situated on a cliffside 15 minutes outside San Sebastián, the modern hotel is sleek and minimalist and offers panoramic sea views. Fine art and sculptures fill the interior while a dramatic, twisting, concrete and weathered-steel staircase leads down to the rooms.

The 22 spacious rooms offer sea views through enormous floor-to-ceiling windows that lead to a private terrace. Carefully styled with clean, modern lines and a muted palette of light wood, natural linen and grey tones, they are bright, airy and inherently calm. Following the theme of refined indulgence, the hotel also has an extensive spa and indoor pool along with a small gym.

The highlight of a stay though, is the Michelin-starred restaurant, led by chef Pedro Subijana. Fresh, local ingredients are used to make elevated versions of Spanish classics and a series of set menus are available.

A complimentary shuttle runs to San Sebastián and a nearby beach, though you will need to order a taxi to return.

OUR OPINION:

Sharp and chic, the Akelarre Hotel is refined in every way. Sleek architecture and interior design complement the flawless service and a tasting menu that is not to be missed. We also love the sea views.

OUR RATING: Deluxe

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TrustScore 4.8 | 3960 reviews

Photos of Akelarre

  • Hotel Akelarre, San Sebastián
    Hotel Akelarre, San Sebastián
  • Hotel Akelarre, San Sebastián
    Hotel Akelarre, San Sebastián
  • Hotel Akelarre, San Sebastián
    Hotel Akelarre, San Sebastián
  • Hotel Akelarre, San Sebastián
    Hotel Akelarre, San Sebastián
  • Hotel Akelarre, San Sebastián
    Hotel Akelarre, San Sebastián

Rooms

Located on the floors below the main restaurant, the rooms look out to sea and feature large panoramic windows. The decor in each reflects the peaceful nature of the scene outside with warm woods and natural linens combining with mid-century modern furniture to create a pared-back, minimalist style. All rooms have a terrace and suites have the addition of a private heated plunge pool. The en suite marble bathrooms have rainfall showers and separate baths set beside more large windows with sea views. All rooms offer high-speed Wi-Fi and large-screen TVs with Apple TV connectivity.

Location

Sitting just inland from the Cantabrian Sea, the Akelarre Hotel enjoys panoramic views of the water from all of its rooms. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle on request to bring guests to the nearby beach or further into central San Sebastián which is about a 15-minute drive away.

Food and drink

Food is at the heart of what Akelarre does, and the restaurant holds three Michelin stars thanks to chef Pedro Subijana. The refined menu features Basque classics made with local ingredients but with creative, avant-garde twists. Dishes can be ordered à la carte or from an eight-course tasting menu. Guests can also opt to eat at the slightly less formal Oteiza restaurant on the floor below the main restaurant which also doubles as the à la carte breakfast room. Though when the weather is nice, breakfast can also be served on your room's private terrace. Upstairs, the comfortable lobby bar offers a large fireplace and patio where you can have a drink and enjoy the striking views.

Facilities and activities

For relaxation the hotel offers a large spa with stone walls and low lighting. Guests can take advantage of an indoor pool, sauna and treatment rooms, as well as a small gym.

Tour ideas in San Sebastián

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Akelarre as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favourite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.

    Experiences while staying here

    The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area's inhabitants.

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      Basque cooking class

      Basque cooking class

      As part of this hands-on half-day cooking class in San Sebastián, you’ll learn about the culinary heritage of the Basque Country. You get an introduction to typical ingredients and dishes from the region, and cook a multi-course meal, paired with local wines.

      View details
    • Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum
      Guggenheim, Bilbao

      Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum

      Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum

      Industrial hub turned cultural hothouse, Bilbao is home to Frank Gehry’s groundbreaking Guggenheim as well as a lively cultural and culinary scene. On this tour, you explore the city with a private guide for an insight into its changing fortunes and engineering marvels.

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    • Pintxos tasting tour
      Pintxos, San Sebastián

      Pintxos tasting tour

      Pintxos tasting tour

      You’ve an opportunity to sample some of the best pintxos in the Basque Country on this half-day tour of San Sebastián. You’ll try a wide range of typical local dishes with the help of an expert guide, as you wander from bar to bar.

      View details

    San Sebastián and nearby places