Akelarre - Relais & Châteaux

We stayed at Hotel Akelarre for a few days on our honeymoon, and it was stunning. The calm, restorative atmosphere made it easy to unwind. The hotel is modern, sleek, and beautifully designed, with a peaceful feel throughout. Our room was gorgeous and very comfortable, with a large walk-in closet, a lovely bathroom and bathtub, and a private balcony looking out over the ocean and gardens. We also enjoyed the wellness area, which has an indoor whirlpool, sauna, and steam room. The hotel is up on a hill, about a 20-minute drive from the old town. If you want to explore San Sebastián and try the famous pintxos scene, we’d recommend renting a car. We loved our stay and would come back in a heartbeat. It’s a wonderful mix of modern design, comfort, and tranquility.

The spa was a lovely quiet place to relax, with a pool, sauna, steam room, and relaxation area, all looking out at incredible views. With just 22 rooms, Hotel Akelarre felt private and intimate, more like a luxury residence than a regular hotel. Breakfast was the best we’ve had anywhere, with high-quality local ingredients, pastries, fruit, meats, and dishes made to order. The Spanish omelette was excellent, and the truffle egg was one of the trip’s highlights. This was the most important trip of my life: I was going to propose to my girlfriend. I spent countless hours comparing top five-star hotels across Europe, and Hotel Akelarre immediately stood out. It’s set in peaceful Igueldo countryside, though only a 15-minute drive from central San Sebastián. We woke to uninterrupted Bay of Biscay views, birdsong, and distant cowbells, something we won’t forget. The hotel is also built around Pedro Subijana’s legendary three-Michelin-star restaurant. The boutique property opened in 2017 with 22 spacious rooms overlooking the bay. Its reputation includes two Michelin Keys and a place on the Condé Nast 2026 Gold List. From arrival, everything felt smooth and thoughtful. We were welcomed warmly, helped with our luggage, and offered a glass of local wine on the terrace. The organic, sustainable architecture blends into the Basque landscape. Materials like wood, metal, and fabric, along with the lighting, finishes, and layout, all felt carefully chosen. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the ocean across much of the hotel, and the central spiral staircase gives the building a strong identity and sense of flow. Our Superior Horizon room was spacious, spotless, and well planned. The huge bed and excellent linens gave us some of the best sleep we’ve had in a hotel, and the room was very quiet. The bathroom had a rainfall shower, separate sinks for him and her, and a bath overlooking the sea, one of the stay’s standout features. Service was warm, professional, and attentive without being too much. The team helped with taxis and little requests in the room. Special thanks to Mikel, who was responsive and helpful before the stay and helped me coordinate parts of the proposal. My one small criticism is that the terrace’s cocktail selection was limited to classic options, which felt a little out of step with the rest of the refined experience. Hotel Akelarre lives up to its reputation and awards. For a special occasion or simply a memorable stay, I can’t think of a better choice. It manages to feel world-class and personal at once.

The staff were warm and genuinely helpful, and we loved the roomy ocean-view rooms and relaxing spa treatment. The hotel itself is modern and stylish. The room category, though, was a real letdown. Our “Panoramic Deluxe” was more like a “Premium Double Horizon,” with only about 10m² more space than the standard version. The category promises a broad panoramic view, and Expedia’s photos all show that layout, but apparently some rooms are just a slightly larger “Double Horizon.” We were told layouts vary and there wasn’t another “Panoramic Deluxe” available. With a +20% price difference, that felt misleading and wasn’t acceptable for a hotel of this caliber. Clearer room sub-types and descriptions would help avoid this kind of frustration. The cocktail program also fell short of what you’d expect from a hotel associated with a 3-star dining experience.

Jon was the standout for us. As concierge, he had so many ideas for how to spend our time in San Seb and the surrounding areas, and helped us make the most of the visit. The service and food were amazing, and the views were magnificent. We were also blown away by the build and attention to detail. The woodwork and stonework are jaw-droppingly good. We stayed this week and honestly, another level. Our family can’t praise this hotel gem enough. Thank you.