12 Best Hotels in The Basque Country, Navarra, and La Rioja, Spain

Built in the mid-19th century for Empress Eugenia de Montijo, wife of Napoléon III, this neo-Gothic limestone castle-cum-hotel with rooms in the watchtowers and defensive walls is one of the most extraordinary lodgings in the area (and Relais & Châteaux agrees). Overlooking the Urdaibai Nature Reserve wetlands 30 minutes north of Bilbao, near Gernika, it's a favorite home base for bird-watchers, with excursions by canoe available for exploring the marshes. The excellent restaurant focuses on local products, from seafood to Txakoli, making this a culinary destination as well.

Rioja's renowned \"gastro hotel,\" Echaurren is a food lover's paradise with two envelope-pushing restaurants and Relais & Châteaux--certified digs. The crown jewel of the property is El Portal, a two-Michelin-star temple to Riojan cuisine with surprising offal preparations, but there's also casual bistro dining in El Cuartito. Rooms are minimal and modern with blond wood, large windows, and—in upgraded rooms—uncommon perks like double showers and wine-based bath products.

The oldest hotel in Pamplona, where Ernest Hemingway conceived of his first novel, The Sun Also Rises, is a comfortable and conservative hotel with some early-20th-century accents such as velvet bergères and ornate headboards. Hemingway watched the running of the bulls from room 201 in 1924. 

This clean-cut urban hotel steps from the river and Zurriola Beach is a dependable option for families and business travelers. Rooms are bright and modern with charcoal-gray furniture, large TVs, and (in upgraded digs) balconies and sofa beds.

This sleek art hotel, previously known as Gran Hotel Domine, is across from the Guggenheim and has design highlights including undulating seven-story walls in the lobby, glass elevators, and bathrooms with wood-plank floors. Rooms are minimalist yet well appointed and decorated in calming grays, whites, and earth tones.

Tastefully converted from a private mansion, this 1911 landmark on the shore is a favorite for quick overnight rail getaways from Bilbao, and scenery along the 37-km (23-mile) train ride is spectacular. Guest rooms are charming and comfortable in a grandmotherly kind of way. Those upstairs have balconies with marvelous views. (No. 22 is the best room in the house.)

On the main beachfront promenade overlooking La Concha, this stately hotel has a regal, old-world feel and Belle Époque aesthetic that starts in the marble lobby, with its shimmering chandeliers, and continues throughout the hotel. The gentlemanly bar and restaurant face the bay through large windows, and the classically styled, pastel-tone guest rooms boast gasp-worthy ocean views. Seventh-floor rooms have private terraces with superb vistas.

A prim business crowd fills this modern, centrally located hotel under the Marriott umbrella that's known for streamlined digs and professional service. The Guggenheim is a 10-minute walk away, and there's a busy cocktail bar and well-outfitted gym on the premises. 

The Bilbao outpost of this trusted chain is a good value and offers choice extras—morning newspapers at your door, tasty breakfast, comfortable rooms, and professional service—all in a central location within walking distance of all the main attractions. The adjacent Doña Casilda park becomes part of your day as you set out for sightseeing. 

This 18th-century palace in the center of town has been restored to its original grandeur with wooden ceilings, Victorian furniture, and a grand staircase. Even the collection of carriages of the counts of Guendulain—who continue to live in the building—is on display and many of the sumptuous rooms have antique chairs and detailing. The property also has two suites.

At the foot of Mount Urgull sits this airy newcomer with streamlined modern furnishings and stunning views out over La Concha and the old harbor. With three rooms per floor and flawless soundproofing, the hotel feels a world away from the boisterous street life of the Parte Vieja, which is right around the corner.

Set in the renovated Astoria Cinema, this film-themed hotel has a spacious lobby adorned with autographed photos of the many movie stars who have attended the famous San Sebastián Film Festival over the years. Each of the contemporary rooms is named for a different star, from Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor to Robert De Niro, and adorned with their respective photographs and memorabilia.