Villa Soro
Hotel · San Sebastian ·
Restored 19th-century villa with elegant rooms, gardens, bar
Restored 19th-century villa with elegant rooms, gardens, bar
"Once a fin‑de‑siècle summer house on the outskirts of Gros, I found Villa Soro’s renovation by the Soldevila family and designer Núria Ferrer has given this 1898 property a spring in its step: original elements like a carved wooden staircase sit alongside smart new furnishings and curated modern Basque art, including works by Eduardo Chillida, while wallpapers and rich fabrics restore the old lady’s elegant ambiance." - Paul Richardson, Marti Buckley
"A 19th-century private estate just outside San Sebastián’s city center, Villa Soro was commissioned by a wealthy businessman as a wedding gift for his daughter; it was designed by the same architect who built the iconic Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra, which towers over the La Concha waterfront at the city center. In contrast to that classic belle epoque building, the villa takes its inspiration from English architecture—complete with peaked roofs and faux-Tudor beaming—that was in vogue at the time, while the manicured gardens were designed by renowned Romantic landscape designer Pierre Ducasse. Now an intimate, 25-room boutique hotel, Villa Soro maintains the same relaxed, cozy atmosphere one might expect to find at a friend’s estate, complete with two elegant drawing rooms outfitted with armchairs that beg to be curled up in with a book. The dark-wood-and-leather bar room (complete with a fireplace, of course) beckons visitors with vermouth and txakoli. Rooms are homey and classically elegant, spread between the main house and the restored carriage house, and they make for a romantic retreat within walking distance of the city’s sights and Michelin-starred restaurants."
"Hotel Villa Soro occupies 2 classical buildings, one of which was built in 1898 and is a Historical Heritage Building of San Sebastian. Free WiFi is available. All rooms include free water from the mini-bar. They each have a separate shower and bath. Rooms have luxury individual design, some including artwork from Jorge Oteiza. Room service is available, offering local dishes. There is a private parking with extra charge on site. Hotel Villa Soro is surrounded by trees and stately homes. The hotel has a gym and offers free bicycles and beach towels. There are spacious lounges and a fireplace. Zurriola Beach, the Kursaal Concert and Convention Center and the old town are within a short walk." - My Boutique Hotel (en)
"This grand old villa stands back from the road with a pretty terrace to one side. The décor is traditional - marble hall, sweeping staircase, panelled bar, attractive salon. It is not the sort of hotel that tries to serve as your social hub during your stay. On the contrary, it is a discreet base with a clutch of extremely comfortable bedrooms that offer sanctuary in the city. Staff are unfailingly helpful. They greet you on arrival, and carry bags up to your room. Later, they pore over maps and point you in the direction of San Sebastián’s world-class restaurants. You’ll find complimentary bicycles and beach towels for your stay, so spin over to La Concha or Zurriola, both fabulous beaches in the middle of the city. Bedrooms - some in the main house, others in the stables behind - have sparkly white bathrooms and extremely comfy beds. You’ll also find a small gym, an elegant salon, and rather handy off-street parking that’s included in the price. This classy hotel sure delivers where you need it to. A great haven in a cool city. Highs Arzak, one of the best restaurants in the world, is just up the road San Sebastián is a bike-friendly city and the hotel offers complimentary bicycles - a neat touch and a great way to get around Plenty of stately style in the grounds and communal areas Elegant bar and sitting room for pre- or post-dinner drinks, with a sunny terrace in summer and a fire in winter Helpful staff make all the difference Lows There’s no restaurant, but this actually makes sense: San Sebastián is Spain’s gastronomic capital and the competition in town is hot. Staff can book tables and taxis It's a 10-minute walk into town and for the first 5 minutes you're on a fairly busy road Some feel that the stable rooms lack character compared to those in the main house You may hear noise from the road, though rooms are double-glazed and manicured grounds separate the hotel from the worst of the traffic" - Tom Bell
"San Sebastián is not quite at the top of the list for Spanish destinations, but it’s hard to say why. Perhaps it’s that those few tourists who venture north find themselves at the Guggenheim in Bilbao, but everyone, it seems, is missing out on a perfectly shaped bay and some extraordinary cooking, a cuisine that even the Catalonian super-chef Ferran Adrià counts as the finest in Europe, with the Michelin stars to prove it—the city is home to no fewer than seven starred restaurants." - Tablet Hotels