Hotel Akelarre

We stayed at Hotel Akelarre in San Sebastián for a few days during our honeymoon, and it was absolutely stunning. The hotel is modern, sleek, and beautifully designed — everything feels serene and luxurious. Our room was gorgeous and incredibly comfortable, with a spacious walk-in closet, a beautiful bathroom and bathtub, and best of all, a private balcony with unobstructed views of the ocean and gardens. We also loved the wellness area, which features an indoor whirlpool, sauna, and steam room — the perfect way to relax after a day of exploring. The whole atmosphere of the hotel was peaceful and restorative, making it an ideal spot to unwind. The property sits on a hill about a 20-minute drive from the old town, so we’d recommend renting a car if you plan to explore San Sebastián and enjoy the famous pintxos scene. We truly loved our stay and would return in a heartbeat. Hotel Akelarre is a perfect blend of modern design, comfort, and tranquility.

Modern and stylish hotel with exceptionally friendly staff. Everyone we encountered was helpful, accommodating, and truly went the extra mile. The rooms are spacious, all offering ocean views, and the spa treatment was both relaxing and enjoyable. That said, two aspects could be improved. First, the cocktail program falls short of what you would expect from a hotel associated with a 3-star dining experience. Second, the room design and descriptions are misleading. The "Panoramic Deluxe" category is advertised as offering a wide, panoramic ocean view, and all photos on Expedia show that specific layout. However, not all "Panoramic Deluxe" rooms match this description. Some are simply a slightly larger version of the lower-tier "Double Horizon" category, without the true panoramic layout. When we raised this concern, the response was that room configurations vary and no alternative "Panoramic Deluxe" room was available. This was especially disappointing given the +20% price difference. In reality, we received what could be described as a "Premium Double Horizon," offering only about 10m² more space than the regular version. This feels misleading and is not acceptable for a hotel of this caliber. The property should update its room categories with clearer sub-types and transparent descriptions to avoid future guest frustration.

A Truly Enchanting Stay at Hotel Akelarre From the moment we arrived, Hotel Akelarre exceeded every expectation with its understated luxury, breathtaking views, and thoughtful touches at every corner. Nestled serenely on a hillside overlooking the Bay of Biscay, the hotel exudes a quiet elegance that instantly puts you at ease. The design is a seamless blend of modern minimalism and warm natural textures, offering a soothing space that feels both refined and deeply connected to the surrounding landscape. One of the unexpected highlights of our stay was a peaceful morning walk along a nearby stretch of the Camino de Santiago - a gentle and soulful reminder of the region’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage. The air was crisp, the paths quiet, and the scenery utterly rejuvenating. A special shout-out goes to Kevin at the concierge, who was nothing short of exceptional. He is a rare gem - attentive, sincere, incredibly well-informed, and genuinely warm. Every recommendation he gave, from scenic walks to hidden local gems, was spot-on. His friendly yet professional demeanor added a wonderful personal touch to our stay and made us feel truly cared for. Breakfast at Akelarre deserves its own round of applause. The service was impeccable - gracious, efficient, and warm. The team worked seamlessly to create a welcoming, unhurried start to the day. And the selection? Simply outstanding. Every item was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor, but the truffle egg was a revelation - rich, delicate, and perfectly balanced. It was the kind of breakfast you remember long after the last bite. Hotel Akelarre is more than a place to stay - it’s a space to breathe, to savour, and to be gently inspired. We left feeling nourished in every way, and we can’t wait to return.

We stayed this week. Another level. Cannot fault this hotel gem. We cannot praise the build quality, attention to detail enough. Woodwork / stonework is jaw-droppingly good. Magnificent views. Service and food amazing.🥇 The stand out is ⭐️Jon… the incredible concierge… with so many recommendations of what to do with your time he makes best use of your time in San Seb and the surrounding areas. From our family… thank you.

This hotel is horrific and should never be stayed at as they lie habitually. At a $5000 stay cost for two nights I expected a baseline of competent service but was shocked by the lying. We prepaid for a dairy farm tour which was confirmed multiple times in writing. When the hotel booked guide and driver didn’t show up they said there was an accident at the farm and the tour couldn’t happen. Then later they blamed us for not confirming the tour. When confronted with email evidence that the tour was indeed confirmed in writing and there was no problem at the dairy farm they said they would refund one full night of the stay as compensation. I put this in an email to them while still at the hotel while physically with the duty manager and was told “do not worry, we will take care of this for you and contact Expedia”. 3 days later I receive an email saying the compensation they promised was too much but next time I come back I will receive “preferred” conditions.

The BEST HOTEL stay EVER! Everything to the perfection!! Everything extremely well taken care of and even to the last and most minor detail! Everyone knew our name and greeted us every time with a big smile. The restaurant (the breakfast/dinner one) was just perfect!

We had a great dinner, spent a wonderful and quality time tonight ( June the 8th 2025) thanks to 1) first, the food ( recommandation of the tuna with wasabi ice - very new and creative and the rice for two as well). Martin who is the Maître d hôtel and our waiter Javier paid a lot of attention to satisfy our needs and were also extremely friendly - Amelie , Leire and Lucy have been kind enough to show us afternoon one of their room’s available to allow us to make our final decision to come back and stay at the hotel later this year. The room with a view on the ocean is a big asset . Atmosphere is calming, relaxing, open . This is a great location - thank you to the entire team and her great sense of services . Delphine Richagneux ( épouse barthélemy)

Have been lucky enough to visit Hotel Akelare on several occasions. It is a fantastic hotel in a great location with amazing views. The staff and service are wonderful. The culinary offerings are one of the highlights. Top quality food and very knowledgeable staff to help you choose dishes.

Unparalleled Service at One of the Most Beautiful Hotels in the World While every review of Akelarre already highlights the breathtaking beauty of the resort--the striking architecture, stunning views of the Bay of Biscay, and the intimate luxury of a small number of suites--I want to echo that this property is truly exceptional in every way. But what really sets Akelarre apart is the level of personalized, world-class service that goes far beyond even five-star expectations. From the moment we arrived, the concierge team was always available, incredibly responsive, and genuinely warm. Every staff member seemed to know us by name and made us feel completely at home. It's rare to find service this intuitive and consistent. A standout moment came on the first day of our stay, during what turned out to be one of the worst power outages in Spain and Portugal's history. Remarkably, we didn't even notice--the hotel's private backup generator kept everything running smoothly. But when the staff tried to confirm our lunch reservation and taxi, they couldn't get through to any vendors due to the blackout. Without missing a beat, Lucie graciously offered to drive us to the restaurant in her own car. She walked us in, explained the situation to the staff, and didn't leave until we were seated with wine and appetizers. That level of care and thoughtfulness is rare and deeply appreciated. It turned an unexpected hiccup into a memory we'll treasure. We came here for a special occasion--our 40th birthdays and our anniversary--and left feeling like we'd been guests in someone's home. Akelarre is more than just a luxury hotel; it's a place where every detail is intentional, and every guest is treated like family. Could not recommend more highly. We can't wait to return.

This hotel is unparallelled in both its views, service and facilities. The rooms have the finest linens,mattresses, furniture,fixtures and appliances. The finishes are flawless, i simply could not suggest any improvements. I was loathe to leave the hotel, or my room, during our 3-night deluxe room stay. Yet we did and staff made arrangements. The breakfast featured local basque favorites as well as international standards served with refinement. Every staff member was top notch. Quiet, serene and breathtakingly beautiful.