"The first sign that Hotel Arima is something special is its breathtaking aluminum‑slatted façade that shifts with the sun, and inside I encountered a 69‑room Passivhaus retreat whose calm Scandinavian decor extends to the Foresta spa—claimed to be the world’s first Passivhaus‑certified wellness center—with hydrotherapy pools, infrared saunas, an ice plunge and a large gym. Rooms are zen‑inducing with white walls and light oak, and the eco‑conscious details (rainwater‑filtered toilets, sulphate‑free toiletries, four‑compartment recycling) sit alongside Misura’s farm‑to‑table Basque menu featuring dishes like wild mushroom risotto and local grilled fish; in summer don’t miss the rooftop pool and bar for txakoli and pastel sunsets." - Paul Richardson, Marti Buckley