A landmark hotel in Marbella and a boutique guesthouse in Sevilla have been named among the world’s best in the latest Hot List by Conde Nast Traveler.
The influential annual ranking features a select group of standout new and refurbished hotels worldwide – and once again places Spain firmly among the top destinations for high-end accommodation.
Marbella’s luxury revival
Making the list from Marbella is the Don Carlos Hotel, which has undergone a €45 million transformation, turning it into a full-scale luxury resort.
Set among tropical gardens near the beach in Elviria, the hotel now offers a large spa, high-end dining options and access to the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre Marbella – the first of its kind on mainland Spain – as well as its proximity to the famous Nikki Beach Marbella.
Originally built in the 1960s, it remains one of the few high-rise buildings in a city known for its low skyline.
Sevilla’s more intimate offering
In contrast, Sevilla’s entry – Hotel Boutique Cristine Bedfor – takes a more low-key approach.
The boutique guesthouse offers a quieter, more personal experience, with relaxed communal spaces and a small pool – more akin to an elegant private home than a traditional hotel.
Madrid and Barcelona also recognised
Spain’s capital also secured two spots on the list.
The Metropolis Building – crowned by its iconic winged statue – has been reimagined as one of the most visually striking hotel projects in Madrid in decades.
Meanwhile, the historic Westin Palace Madrid has been restored to its former glory, blending classic grandeur with modern luxury after more than a century at the heart of the city’s social scene.
In Barcelona, a century-old hotel at the foot of the Collserola hills has also made the list following a full redesign, now offering a more contemporary style across 70 rooms and suites.
