Ultra-luxury travel is having its moment in Spain, with a boom in high-end hotels and exclusive travel services. The Local’s travel reporter Esme Fox breaks down the best Spanish ‘hoteles’ to stay at, for those who can enjoy the finer things in life.
According to the latest market report from commercial real estate services CBRE, Spain will add around 270 new hotels by 2028 and a third of them will be five-star and ultra-luxurious. This percentage equates to approximately 90 high-end establishments.
Meanwhile, global strategy consultants EY-Parthenon has identified 99 five-star and ultra-luxury projects in its pipeline, with 9,775 rooms.
CBRE reveals that the vast majority of these openings will be located in Málaga, Madrid, Cádiz, Valencia, and the Canary Islands, while Spanish newspaper El País says that Andalusia in particular is also having a boom in luxury hotel market.
They highlight Seville, Granada, and the Costa del Sol which are attracting some of the most exclusive hotel chains and have had several new openings recently.
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Ainhoa Cobo Cardosa, head of premium tourism at the Andalusia Tourist Board confirmed to The Local Spain that Marbella is having a glow-up moment due to billions in private investment and major upscale hotel rollouts, such as the renovation of the landmark Don Carlos Marbella, the opening of the Gran Marbella Resort & Beach Club.
Spanish tourism boards across the country are also trying to attract wealthier clients to try and drive the market away from budget package holidays and stag dos and towards high end tourism.
The Luxury Travel Report from the Preferred Hotels group reveals has also revealed that wellness is a major draw too with luxury tourists actively seeking “transformative wellness experiences”. This is evident from the rise in places such as the ZEM Wellness Clinic in Altea and the Lanserhof Marbella, which is due to open in 2027.
Our reporter and travel writer Esme Fox is just back from Duco Spain & Portugal, a luxury travel summit attended by some of the most exclusive hotels across the Iberian Peninsula.
Here is her pick of some of the most ultra luxurious hotels that she’s either stayed in, visited or is excited about going to in the future.
La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel, Balearics
La Residencia, located in the small village of Deià on the island of Mallorca. Surrounded by olive groves and the Trumuntana Mountains has been on the list of Spain’s most exclusive hotels for years now. It is said it was the place that Princess Diana fled to right after her split from the now King Charles. The property dates back to the 17th century and perfectly blends historic elements with modern luxury. Exclusive rooms sit scattered across the hillside, alongside facilities such as its own art gallery, art studio and sculpture studio with a resident artist. There’s also the hotel’s gourmet El Olivo restaurant where you can dine under twinkly lights in amongst the century-old olive trees.
Rooms at La Residencia sit dotted across the hillside. Source: La Residencia A Belmond Hotel
Anantara Marbella, Andalusia
The five-star Anantara Marbella is something else – more like a some opulent Italian palace, filled with busts, elegant statues of the Gods, a Roman amphitheatre, and over 1,200 original works of art along with water features all around. The hotel boasts no less than three 18-hole golf courses, it’s own beach club, a private racquet sports club and extensive beauty, spa and wellness facilities.
The Anantara Marbella has luxurious Italian influences. Source: Anantara Marbella
El Palace, Catalonia
The grand dame of hotels in the Catalan capital of Barcelona is El Palace. It first opened in 1919 as the Ritz. Since then it has been part of some of the significant moments in the city’s history and has been visited by everyone from the artists Joan Miró and Salvador Dalí to Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood and singer Joséphine Baker. Today it really does feel like a palace with lavish communal spaces like the Grand Hall to enjoy an English-style afternoon tea. They also have a rooftop cinema and go all out at Christmas with many activities and decorations.
El Palace sits right in the heart of Barcelona. Source: El Palace.
Finca Cortesin, Andalusia
Located close to the resort town of Estepona, Finca Cortesin oozes pure Andalusian opulence. Clustered around a set of classic Andalusian patios, it takes inspiration from Moorish-inspired architecture like the Alhambra, Mediterranean living and even British elegance. Think bold patterned wallpapers and antique furniture. It’s home to a total of four pools, including one olympic sized and a heated indoor marine-saltwater one. It also has a vast 2,000 sq metre spa and a yoga and meditation centre.
One of the many pools at Finca Cortesin. Photo: Esme Fox
METT Barcelona, Catalonia
The METT recently took over Barcelona’s grand hotel El Florida, sitting high above the city on Mount Tibidabo and offering one of the best views over the Catalan capital. The new hotel officially opened at the end of 2025, while keeping elements of the old classic. Floor to ceiling windows in the rooms means guests get to wake up to those views too.
The METT Barcelona has incredible views over the whole city. Photo: Esme Fox
Hotel Don Carlos, Andalusia
The Don Carlos is one of Marbella’s grand landmark hotels, having opened in 1969 as the Marbella Palace Hilton. Following an 18-month closure and comprehensive renovation costing €45 million, it reopened in summer 2025 and has been making waves once again. The hotel now features the first Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre in Spain with nine courts, two Nikki Beach clubs, an exclusive spa and several gastronomic spaces.
Serras Sevilla, Andalusia
The Serras Sevilla just opened its doors this past September and was one of the most anticipated properties in the Andalusian capital in years. Sitting just opposite the Seville Cathedral and La Giralda tower, it offers unrivalled views of one of the the city’s most important sights. Set in the restored historic Casa Álvaro Dávila, this boutique property has just 43 rooms, as well as the first Fismuler restaurant in Andalusia. It’s highlight is the spectacular rooftop.
The Serras Seville recently opened in September 2026. Source: Serras Sevilla
