Best Wine Hotels in Spain

Rioja’s Marqués de Riscal redefined the luxury hotel concept in rural Spain, offering a contemporary, immersive experience in the heart of the gorgeous Riojan countryside. Opened by one of the region’s oldest bodegas (wineries), the hotel has welcomed visitors since 2006 and has caused more than a bit of controversy in the sleepy village of Elciego. Legendary architect Frank Gehry, best known for the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, masterminded its avant-garde design. Today, Marriott runs the hotel.

However, high standards remain the same. Outside the hotel’s walls, you’re ready to explore the Rioja Alavesa sub-region, home to famous names such as Luis Canas and Bodegas Ostatu. Inside, visitors are cocooned in absolute luxury: 61 rooms and suites are complemented by a state-of-the-art spa, a glorious rooftop terrace, a wine library with over 1000 different volumes, and exclusive access to the Marques de Riscal cellars. But the real highlight is undoubtedly the hotel’s signature gastronomic restaurant, advised by Michelin-starred chef Francis Paniego. Paired with a fantastic selection of Marques de Riscal wines (the winery has kept a few bottles of every vintage back since its inception in the 1860s), the avant-garde cuisine is breathtaking in its intricacy and creativity. Trust us; you won’t want to leave.

Just as Marques de Riscal reinvented the concept of visiting a wine hotel in Rioja, so Abadía Retuerta has led the way in revolutionizing the tourism experience in Ribera del Duero. Although the estate lies outside the Ribera del Duero appellation, its vineyards have since earned their own protected designation of origin, DOP Abadía Retuerta. This beautiful hotel is undoubtedly one of Spain’s finest. Your home for the night (or several) is an ancient abbey founded in 1146 by an order of monks from France, now one of the most important Romanesque buildings in Castilla y Leon. It was opened as a luxury hotel in 2012 and restored with the help of Swiss-Italian architect Marco Serra. From the outset, the hotel has made a name for itself by offering exceptional service – each bedroom comes equipped with a multilingual butler who will do everything to make your experience as memorable as possible.

A luxury spa keeps guests pampered until it’s time to sample the dramatic Refectorio restaurant’s Michelin-starred cuisine in the abbey’s refectory. Accompanying your gastronomic adventure is a large selection of the estate’s wines and top choices from across the region, including old vintages of Vega Sicilia. The Vinoteca restaurant also offers a more informal, tapas-style dining experience—a world-class hotel for discerning sybarites.

Why can’t all wine hotels be like this? Located in an ancient Cistercian monastery built in the 12th century, Castilla Termal is ideally situated to explore the Ribera del Duero region, home to powerful, structured red wines. Castilla Termal is the ideal place to recharge after a busy day of sightseeing and wine tasting, offering excellent accommodation, amenities, and cuisine in luxurious surroundings. Each of the 79 bedrooms and suites is individually furnished and designed to an unparalleled standard: extremely comfortable beds, modern bathrooms, tasteful artwork, and beautiful balconies. An expansive pool and pampering spa await the weary, but we’re more excited about the Converso restaurant and its veritable treasure trove of rare vintages. Service throughout is professional, discreet, and highly courteous. It’s the obvious choice for a wine-themed weekend break.

A truly excellent hotel, Castilla Termal Burgo de Osma is effortlessly inviting and uniquely situated. Housed in the ancient University of Santa Catalina, the building has been lovingly preserved to ensure no trace of its Renaissance splendor is diminished by the arrival of a contemporary luxury hotel. Today, it attracts a discerning clientele who wish to explore the majestic surroundings of El Burgo de Osma, a town known for its perfectly preserved medieval center. The 70 rooms, including four suites, are decorated and furnished to the highest standard, while the suites boast remarkable views and gorgeous warm interiors. Also, and in keeping with the popularity of thermal pools, the magnificent spa area makes its home under the Renaissance cloister and a glass dome – dramatic and luxurious in the same breath. The food is another highlight: locally sourced and impeccably presented, creating a gastronomic paradise.

Rioja is full of great hotels, but we can assure you that Hospederia de Los Parajes is seriously a cut above the rest. A sophisticated boutique address at the heart of Laguardia, Hospederia de Los Parajes is simultaneously friendly, inviting, and refined. The building is a renovated historic palace, sympathetically restored to balance the contemporary and historic. In particular, we love the glass-roofed central courtyard. The original building’s ancient stones are combined with the modern structure to create a charming, welcoming space centered on a delightful fireplace.

The bright and elegant communal spaces complement 18 spacious, airy rooms, some facing the courtyard. Indeed, relaxation is the name of the game at this hotel; chill on the terrace with a glass of wine in tow or explore the surrounding Rioja Alavesa region. And what a culinary treat you have in store, for Hospederia de Los Parajes boasts two excellent restaurants, Los Parajes and Las Duelas. An inviting basement spa and wellness center also features a Turkish bath, an ice fountain, various water treatments, and a wide range of massages. When in Rome!

A small hotel with a big heart, Finca de Los Arandinos is way ahead of Rioja’s boutique competition. It is a key venue that has redefined what luxury wine hotels should offer their guests, establishing a new breed of intelligent, sophisticated, yet relaxed accommodation for discerning travelers. Set in the heart of the Rioja Alta sub-region, the hotel is easily accessible from Bilbao airport (just over 2 hours by car) but far enough from civilization to offer an unparalleled haven of relaxation. 14 sleek, sophisticated rooms keep guests suitably pampered while the spa offers an extensive range of treatments.

The hotel’s Tierra restaurant serves contemporary Spanish dishes, combining traditional Riojan produce with a modern approach. Utilizing local produce and working with local suppliers, the cooking is all heart and soul – divine yet intensely nourishing and homely. However, the wine list is suitably extensive, with a plethora of rare vintages from across Rioja. Muy Bien!

Navarra is undoubtedly one of the most captivating and beautiful of the Spanish wine regions. The expansive landscape, filled with vineyards and majestic mountain scenery, never fails to take a first-time visitor’s breath away. Nowhere is there a better place to experience Navarra in all its splendor than Pago de Cirsus, a family-run hotel attached to a leading bodega (winery). Twelve elegant, traditional bedrooms are complemented by an excellent restaurant and some of the friendliest staff in Spain! However, the real highlight is that viticultural exploration at Pago de Cirsus takes only a few steps, as the winery is a stone’s throw away. They will happily organize vineyard tours, tastings, and visits to other leading properties in the region. The only problem will be where to start.

There are quite a few contestants for the Catalunya region’s finest winery hotel prize, but we can assure you that Mastinell is ten leaps ahead of the rest. A sophisticated cut above most of the competition, Mastinell is effortlessly chic. An imaginative modern design is put to spectacular use, with numerous circular glass panels (13 rooms) offering superlative views over Penedès vineyards. Service keeps pace with today’s consumer ethos and is engaging and warm rather than stuffy. A large outdoor swimming pool allows guests to work off dinner; a particular highlight is tapas, which don’t get any better than the memorable creations of the hotel’s ‘En Rima restaurant’- fresh, perfectly prepared tapas, with fish being the absolute highlight. Shellfish on tap and an extensive wine list are all present and correct.

With its enviable position overlooking the dramatic scenery of Priorat, splendid isolation, and gorgeous, individually designed rooms, Terra Dominicata is undoubtedly one of Spain’s most relaxing hotels. It boasts just 26 deluxe rooms spread across the two historic buildings that make up the estate. The Deluxe Suites, in particular, are utterly gorgeous, lavish, and rustic simultaneously. The ambiance is more akin to staying with friends than a luxury hotel – the staff is very warm and hospitable, and the overall ethos is very much relaxed luxury. Guests continue to rave about the inviting outdoor pool, the proximity to Catalunya’s finest vineyards, and the excellent gastronomy at Terra Dominicata.

Elegance be thy name! Nine perfectly appointed bedrooms await you at Vina de Alcantara, the sherry region’s most elegant and understated hotel. No bling or lavish amenities at this address; instead, you’ll receive a warm welcome and the hospitality the Andalusians are famous for. The building is historic and charming, a testament to this region’s proud legacy. Unfortunately, there’s no restaurant, but a splendid breakfast is included with your stay—the perfect base for exploring the enticing vineyards of Jerez de la Frontera.