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Top Ten Spanish Hotels

It’s not easy to define what makes a good hotel – the service, the friendly welcome, the food, the setting, and the comfiness of the bedrooms all play an important part. Here we list some of our most highly praised Spanish hotels, which combine the best of some, if not all, of these factors.

Molino del Santo, Andalucia. Converted from a watermill, the Molino del Santo is a great place to unwind along our White Towns & Rugged Hills Walk. Owners Andy Chappell and Pauline Elkin pride themselves on their exceptionally high standards of service and care. Here, you are made to feel like royalty. The pool and terrace, shaded by willow trees, are idyllic.

Casona d’Alevia, Asturias. This truly special place is set in a mountain village in the Picos de Europa and features on our From the Picos to the Sea Walk. More like a guesthouse than a hotel, guests love it for the warm welcome from Gregorio and his wife Mari Lupe, the outstanding personal service, and the lovely décor. The attention to detail throughout the house is astonishing, right down to the hand-painted coat hangers which Mari Lupe made herself. The food is good too, and in fact the breakfasts (wonderful arrays of home-made pastries and other delights) have in past earned the Casona mentions in the Spanish national press.

Hotel Grèvol, Catalan Pyrenees. This 4-star mountain hotel is a real highlight of our Catalan Pyrenees Walk. The facilities are excellent and include an indoor pool, spa complex and sunny gardens, but the main reason for nominating this hotel is the food – some of the best that you will taste this side of the Pyrenees.

Villa de Ábalos, La Rioja. This is yet another hotel that astounds with the level of personal attention afforded to guests. Nothing is too much trouble for José Luis and Merche, who go out of their way to make your stay in La Rioja an enjoyable one. A favourite stop on the Rolling Hills & Vineyards Cycle.

Cal Sastre, Garrotxa. With its arcaded square and winding streets, Santa Pau, just one of several unspoiled villages featured on the Pyrenees to Garrotxa Walk, is a delight. The welcoming Hotel Cal Sastre, right by the old town walls, is beautifully appointed, with lots of personal touches throughout. The cuisine deserves a mention too – with cooking of this quality it’s no wonder that the hotel’s restaurant has built up a loyal local following.

Posada del Babel, Asturias. This is one of the first hotels we discovered in Asturias, and continues to earn high praise. Lucas and Blanca are charming hosts, and rooms are stylishly decorated. The focal point, however, is the locally renowned restaurant, where you can savour delicately flavoured fish dishes and mouth-watering desserts. A wonderful place to finish the From the Picos to the Sea Walk.

Iturrienea Ostatua, Bilbao. Located right in the heart of Bilbao’s atmospheric Casco Viejo (Old Town), the Iturrienea Ostatua oozes character. Rooms are individually decorated, with great attention to detail and many original features such as beams and exposed stonework.

La Central, Garrotxa. Built by an eccentric millionaire, the hotel is a celebration of modernista (the Catalan take on Art Deco) architecture and décor. What makes this hotel, however, is the superb setting in a tranquil, secluded valley surrounded by rivers and waterfalls. There is plenty of space to relax, including a sauna and jacuzzi, an outdoor pool and lovely gardens. It features on our Garrotxa to the Mediterranean Walk.

Torre del Visco, Fuentespalda. This is another hotel that deserves a mention for its setting alone. It is situated in a peaceful valley a few miles from the nearest road (Inntravel guests get to it on foot as part of our Mountains of Southern Catalonia Walk), and the location is so tranquil that a pair of Bonelli's eagles nests in the grounds. But the setting is just the start of it – the food is beautifully presented and imaginative, incorporating the freshest of local ingredients. The attention to detail is faultless too, right down to the bunches of fresh flowers that can be found in every corner and alcove.

Hotel Rosa, Catalan Coast. We were drawn to this hotel by the warm welcome from María Rosa and Narcís, who are charming hosts. Guests also highly rate the food, served in the atmospheric vaulted restaurant – Narcís is an excellent chef. The panoramic rooftop terrace, with its views over Begur and the Mediterranean beyond, is the perfect place to unwind. The hotel features on our Around the Gulf of Roses walk

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