The 21 Best Beach Hotels in Spain

Spain has long been a magnet for sun-seekers. With long stretches of varied coastline from soft yellow-sand beaches to beautiful craggy shores, whether you are a sunbather, surfer or ambler there is something for everyone here. The hotel options are, therefore, unsurprisingly good but the abundance can make choosing the best beach hotel in Spain for you quite a task! Our hotel experts have selected the cream of the crop, from small, intimate spa hotels and trendy beachside boutiques to sprawling high-tech party hotels and charming owner-managed stays. So why not browse through our collection to start planning your next break?

For families

• Hotel Punta Sur is a Moorish style boutique by the beach. Perfect for families, boasting views of the golden African shoreline, the chic interiors are defined by frescoed walls, and the vibe is laid-back. Family rooms sleep up to 6 and there's tennis, a small nearby lake, a pool in the shade of palms, and dinner is a candlelit affair in the garden.
• Truman Capote finished his famous novel, 'In Cold Blood', in one of the glamorous sea-view suites found in Hotel Trias. A good old fashioned seaside hotel with two restaurants, a swimming pool, slap-bang on the promenade, the nautical-chic rooms are spacious and family-orientated.
• Hotel Balandret offers airy and elegant rooms right on the beach. With views of the garden or sea, the interiors are stylish and modern while the multi-room suites are perfect for families. Complete with a Kids Club and restaurant terrace on the promenade, this property has it all.
• A golf, spa and beach resort rolled into one, Marbella Club was founded by a prince, so expect nothing less than complete indulgence. One of Spain's best luxury beach hotels for families, there's a Kids Club, 5 restaurants to choose from, and even horse riding facilities. The private villas sleep up to 8 - perfect for a family break.
• There's something for everyone at Barcelo Formentor. Smaller than the mega resorts, there's a quiet intimacy to this tropical idyll: the rooms are elegant yet homely, with artisinal flourishes and nautical splashes. Plus it's family-orientated with options for babysitting plus a games room, 2 pools, tennis courts, boat hire, countless restaurants and private beachfront cabanas.

For value chic

• Chic, light and airy rooms are found at La Caleta Bay, one of the cheapest beach hotels in Spain. It's a small, quiet and intimate setting, armed with a cool beachside restaurant and spacious whitewashed rooms with balconies affording gorgeous views of the sea. Perfect for a lazy beach holiday.
• Hotel Tamariu exhibits the kind of authentic charm that we feel far outshines the mega resorts. Owned and managed by the same family since 1930, it's a hair's breadth from the beach and has a sumptuous seafood restaurant. The rooms are simple, nautical-chic affairs, truly snug, and the vibe is laid-back.

For a romantic escape

• Hotel Gran Rey enjoys premier beach access. Flanked by craggy mountains and surrounded by a lush green valley, the location is spectacular. The rooms are elegant and warm, flushed with light from the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the rooftop pool - and its cocktail bar - are a wonderful addition.
• Romantic, simple and charming Cap Vermell Beach Hotel sits right on the beach. One of the best of Spain's beach hotels for couples, you can soak in the hot tub overlooking the sea, sip local wine at the bar, or sample fresh fish in the restaurant.
• Melbeach Hotel is a lovely choice for couples. This adults-only beachfront boutique has minimal chic rooms. Unwind in the spa, bathe in the hot tub with your significant other, or head down to the beach - it's just a stone's throw away!
• Hotel Puente Romano is built in the style of an Andulasian village. Boasting its own private beach, it's great for families because it's intimate and exclusive. Complete with all the luxury trimmings including tennis courts, countless restaurants, and a yacht for hire - there is hardly a need to leave.
• Couples love Hotel Playa Sol because it's primed for relaxation. The rooms have a seaside-chic feel. The restaurant and bar are delightful, and you can relax in the pool, enjoy a spot of tennis (or table tennis) or soak in the hot tub.

For the spa

• Gecko Hotel & Beach Club replenishes the soul. This small, luxury hotel caters to those wanting a spa break in Spain by the beach. With a pampering spa, healthy food and a white sand beach - it really ticks all the boxes. The rooms are bare, white, and minimalist with plenty of glass and modern art - a restful, quiet, gem by the sea.

For the nightlife

• For a cool, colourful and comfortable beach hotel in Spain, the Beach Hotel Arte Vida is a fun choice. Funky, upbeat, ideal for families or groups of friends, it's got its own surf club and nightly DJ. Plus Tarifa Beach is Europe's best beach for kite surfing. The rooms are chic and colourful, and the restaurant is a treat.
• W Barcelona is a trendy resort for partygoers. The beachfront, Burj-like building is a den of restaurants, terrace bars and elegant, chic rooms, with a definite youthful vibe. While the spa will cure any aches and pains from a big night!

For an eco-hotel

• Eco Finca de Arrieta is just a short stroll to the golden sand beach and a great choice for an eco family break. Stay in either the eco-tower or one of the marble-floored yurts - all powered by the sun and wind. Kids will love the trampoline and on-site donkey, while parents can enjoy relaxing in the spa.
• One of Europe's most eco-friendly hotels, and certainly one of Spain's best beach hotels, Hostal Empuries sits quietly in picture perfect cove in the shadow of Roman ruins. The interiors are sleek and modern while the atmosphere is undeniably sophisticated. Offering a bar, two pools, an extensive spa and several restaurants, it's a haven of relaxation.

For luxury

• A fairytale village with subtropical gardens tumbling down a hillside, all turrets and towers, Bahia Del Duque offers unabashed luxury and is one of the most deluxe beach hotels in Spain. This glittering 5-star resort has everything you need: whale-watching and waterskiing, tennis and horseriding, not to mention an extensive spa and 8 restaurants to choose from. Book a boutique villa for an intimate stay (and a private pool).
• Ritz Carlton Abama is an apricot-coloured Moorish-style building staring out over the Atlantic. Widely considered the best hotel in Tenerife, it's a truly indulgent stay. From the plush colonial-style rooms and the two Michelin-starred restaurant to the championship golf course and the deluxe spa, it'll pamper you silly. The golden, secluded beach and private balconies make it one of Spain's most romantic beach hotels.
• A delectable 5-star on the beach, Gran Hotel Atlantis Bahia Real emanates the decadence of a sultan's palace: the ornate, beachside-chic rooms open out to lovely private balconies with views of the sea. Relax in the cocktail bar, go dolphin spotting, unwind in the 3000m spa, or swim in the sea.

For a boutique

• Techy, minimalist, monochrome rooms await you at Hotel Minister, a sleek boutique by the sea. Relax in the pool, dine at the seafood restaurant, soak in the hot tub and unwind in the spa. One of Spain's most romantic beachfront hotels, book a luxury suite with a terrace for true intimacy (and gorgeous views).

Still not sure where to book?

• Look at our collections of the best places to stay in the Balearic Islands or Mallorca;
• Something for all the family? Try our collection on the Canary Islands;
• Hungry for the beach life? Try this on Costa Blanca, or Costa de la Luz, or Costa del Sol;
• Or expand further with our pick of the best hotels in Spain;
• Check out this collection of the best boutique hotels in Spain or Spain's best hotels with private pools;
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our Gurus for some expert advice.

 

Written by Edmund Wise

posted Wednesday, 30th September 2020