7 Best Hotels in The Pyrenees, Spain

In a village on the outskirts of Jaca, this adults-only B&B is worth sacrificing city-center conveniences. The property was carefully constructed to resemble a traditional Aragonese country house and has charming rooms with wood-beam ceilings and rustic stone walls that look out over the mountains. The sauna (with hot tub) and massages can be reserved privately, and there is an honor system refreshment bar. The owners provide top-notch sightseeing and restaurant recommendations, as well as above-and-beyond hospitality. 

This six-bedroom hotel on the Plaza Mayor has exposed stone walls and simple (if dated) modern furnishings; some add whirlpools and wrought-iron balconies. The breakfast area in the cellar is a bit cramped, but the more spacious library-lounge area on the ground floor makes up for it.

Just outside the old town walls, this hotel has the best views around—overlooking the Río Vero canyon and the Colegiata de Santa María. Rooms are simple but agreeably decorated in rustic reds and yellows, and the open-plan lounge and breakfast room are warm and relaxing with wood furnishings, sofas, and an open fire. The breakfast buffet brims with all manner of pastries, homemade butter and preserves, local cheeses, and cold meats. Even the olive oil is pressed from homegrown olives.

A mountain refuge and state-run hotel, this family-oriented base camp has double, triple, and quadruple rooms. The lodging and dining are basic, and they're offered at 1,981 meters (6,500 feet) above sea level within an imposing gray monolith that looks strikingly out of place. For a day's outing or as a starting point for a major hike (12 hours) to Ulldeter, above Setcases, or even a weeklong walk to the Mediterranean, this is a handy spot, although it’s accessible only by the cogwheel train from Ribes de Freser (thankfully, pricey train tickets are included in the nightly rate). Camping is also available on the grounds. Book directly with the hotel for better rates. 

Once the house of Gaspar de Portolà, the military officer who colonized California, this modern parador with friendly staff and an outdoor pool (seasonal) has views of the Pyrenees and is handy for exploring the Romanesque sights in nearby villages. Vielha is 2½ km (1½ miles) to the north, and the Baqueira ski slopes are 7 km (4 miles) away. The restaurant ladles out a mean civet de jabalí (wild boar stew).

This stately town-house complex at the edge of the lake has some of the most sought-after rooms and food in the Cerdanya Valley. Along with lots of peace and comfort (think rooms with plush white linens and soaker tubs), the hotel restaurant, L'Estany Senzone, is worth a visit even if you're not staying upstairs.