Spain is not only home to gorgeous long, sandy beaches and picturesque coves, but it’s also Europe’s second most mountainous country, making it possible to hit the slopes and enjoy dipping your toes into the sea on the very same day. It’s also known for its fantastic food, a rich history that includes ancient Roman ruins and palaces as well as spectacular resorts like these.
Marriott's Marbella Beach Resort, Maraga
This breathtaking beach resort features Moorish architecture that speaks of age-old traditions, inviting guests to explore the mysterious and exciting world that surrounds it, located in the heart of sun-kissed Costa del Sol, where Andalusia meets the dazzling Mediterranean, yet only a few miles from the historic old town. This beautiful waterfront property features villas with one, two or three-bedrooms, all just steps from the sand along with dazzling free-form pools, a sauna, steam room and spa. Just a few of the recreational activities available include swimming, snorkeling, parasailing, windsurfing, kayaking, water skiing, hiking, horse riding, golf and much more. Nearby Puerto Banus Marina offers the ultimate cosmopolitan experience, but by venturing inland you’ll discover traditional Spanish life untouched by 21st-century modernization.
Gran Hotel Atlantis Bahia Real - Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
This family-friendly resort faces the beach next to Corralejo Natural Dunes Park, on the northern tip of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, featuring 3,125 acres of some of the finest, white sands which form dunes up to 165 feet in height at the edge of turquoise waters. One of the most luxurious hotels in the world, the stunning architecture of the property combines arabesque Neo-Mudejar style and colonial influences with warm tones along with an abundance of vegetation and local cultural elements throughout the complex. Amenities are designed for the ultimate in relaxation, including heated pools, tropical gardens, multiple restaurants and an impressive spa with luxe treatment rooms along with a host of pampering therapies. Outdoor recreation includes snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, whale watching, golf and mountain biking.
Vincci Seleccion Aleysa Hotel Boutique & Spa, Benalmadena
Vincci Seleccion Aleysa is a boutique resort/hotel located just 12 miles from the Malaga Airport in southern Spain on the beach in Benalmadena. Its guest rooms are all extremely spacious with huge sliding windows that open up to a patio featuring breathtaking Mediterranean Sea views along with an outdoor garden area. “Pure bliss,” is often used to describe this resort that features a spa designed to stimulate all the senses, relax, balance and purify the body, mind and spirit. You’ll also find a pool with waterbeds and waterfalls, a reflexology walking path, a Turkish bath, a Finnish sauna and a relaxation area.
Mercer Hotel Barcelona, Barcelona
A top-rated hotel in Spain, Mercel Hotel Barcelona is tucked amid the narrow, winding alleys of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, blending historic architecture with modern, luxurious amenities. This unique establishment is housed in a restored heritage building with origins that date back to the 1st century. Remnants of its origins can be seen throughout the property. Within its ancient walls, you’ll find stylish décor along with a hip, attentive staff and a terrace plunge pool from which guests can admire the city’s picturesque jumble of rooftops. Suites on the highest floor provide views of the ancient Gothic streets and 14th-century archaeological remains. When hunger strikes, visit the gastronomic eatery and bistro for tapas and traditional dishes.
Marriott Playa Andaluza, Estepona
Set along the spectacular Costa del Sol in the charming town of Estepona, this beachfront resort is near the exclusive “Millionaire’s Paradise” of Puerto Banus where top-of-the-line Mercedes and Rolls-Royces vie for position on the quayside as their owners sip Cristal. Private two and three-bedroom apartments feature master suites with oversized soaking tubs, fully equipped kitchens, separate living and dining areas, and even washers and dryers, providing all the conveniences of home along with jaw-dropping sea views. Enjoy relaxing on the rooftop terrace as well as unsurpassed dining experiences at the Solara Restaurant & Bar overlooking the Mediterranean.
Princesa Yaiza - Las Palmas, Canary Islands
Located on the island of Lanzarote, the easternmost of the Canary Islands, overlooking Blanca Beach, with its fine golden sand and calm waters, Princesa Yaiza is the ultimate luxury resort featuring a spa with Turkish baths as well as an indoor pool and multiple restaurants. Isla de Lobos, popular with non-guests, is one of the best eateries on the island with a lovely terrace overlooking the sea. Chef Carlos Pérez works with local producers to get the best ingredients to create exceptional cuisine. Suites decorated and furnished in Colonial Canarian style feature deep-soaking tubs, some with spectacular sea views. Just a few of the activities available at the beach and nearby include scuba diving, camel rides, tennis and volcano tours.
Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia, Maspalomas
This grand 5-star resort on Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands is not only one of the best hotels in Spain, but it’s also known as one of the best in the world. It features charming villas secluded in a palm grove, surrounded by magnificent landscapes of picturesque beaches and mountains in the distance. From the moment you step into the lobby, you’ll sense an especially tranquil, calming atmosphere that makes it easy to escape day-to-day worries and indulge in the best life has to offer. Amenities include a piano bar and restaurant, fitness center, three outdoor swimming pools and a full-service spa with a sauna and Turkish bath. Elegant rooms with a Spanish colonial flavor include bathtubs with whirlpool hydro-massage, satellite TV, DVD and CD players, bathrobes and slippers, daily newspapers and fresh fruit. Guests can enjoy onsite recreational activities like aqua gymnastics and yoga or take part in golf, scuba diving, hiking and horse riding nearby
Protur Biomar Gran Hotel & Spa, Sa Coma
Sa Coma, a village on the eastern coast of the island of Majorca, is the home of Protur Biomar Gran Hotel & Spa, an upscale 5-star resort with a relaxed atmosphere. Its world-class spa, Biomar Spa, provides the ultimate in rest and relaxation with hydrotherapy, Turkish baths, body treatments, body wraps, massages and facials, while gourmet restaurants feature menus with exquisite local and international cuisine. Not only can you use your swimsuit at the beautiful outdoor and indoor swimming pools, but you can also enjoy a refreshing dip in one of several area beaches, like Sa Coma Beach, made up of pristine white sands and azure-colored waters with shallow, small waves, ideal for families.
Iberostar Grand Hotel Salome - Playa de Fanabe, Canary Islands
Iberostar Grand Hotel Salome is a magnificent resort set between the beaches of Playa del Duque and Playa de Fanabe in the desirable Costa Adeje area in Tenerife on Spain’s Canary Islands. Discover an elegant, secluded adults-only oasis that provides the utmost in amenities, comfort and service with accommodations including luxurious suites with ocean-facing balconies or terraces as well as a hydro-massage bath and satellite DVD/LCD television in both the living room and bedroom. In the heart of the resort, you’ll find a massive, 21,000-square-foot saltwater pool, extensive gardens with comfy hammocks as well as a private heated freshwater pool and solarium terrace.
Riu Palace Maspalomas - Playa del Ingles, Canary Islands
Riu Palace Maspalomas is a Colonial-style property that is surrounded by a subtropical garden and the famous dunes of Maspalomas, known for its fine white sands set against the brilliant blue sea on Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. Here you’ll find impeccable service along with upscale amenities like freshwater swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, sauna, gym and wellness center. Enjoy all sorts of activities both on and off-site from table tennis to watersports as well as a variety of shows and live music. Its restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with menus reflecting influences from across the globe, including a wide range of fruits, vegetables and fresh seafood.
Hotel Balnerario Las Arenas, Valencia
Hotel Balnerario Las Arenas is a 5-star resort that combines historical elegance with modern design. It has an amazing seafront location and direct access to Las Arenas Beach, within close proximity to attractions like the Queen Sofia Palace of the Arts and L’Oceanografic. Suites feature terraces that open up to unsurpassed sea views along with cozy bathrobes and slippers. Guests can take part in a wide variety of activities including yoga and aerobics, dinners with live music, sports tournaments, dance and even cookery classes. The full-service spa includes a heated indoor pool with an organic design in steel that’s said to be the only one of its kind to date in the world. You’ll also find a Scottish shower, sauna, cold plunge pool, steam bath, ice fountain, aromatherapy shower, bubble beds, and an indoor and outdoor Jacuzzi.
St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort - Costa den Blanes, Mallorca
The St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort combines an amazing location with views across the Mediterranean Sea along with the epitome of luxury, elegance and exceptional service. You’ll find everything from distinguished golf courses to gourmet dining and an upscale spa dedicated to the pursuit of tranquil rejuvenation. Its menu features a long list of pampering treatments including Far Eastern and Western therapies, a dry sauna, Jacuzzi, jet shower, ice cave and fitness center. The 1,500+ square-feet Ocean One suite offers breathtaking Mediterranean views, stunning Mallorcan architecture and a selection of the property’s foremost local contemporary art collection in the Ses Obres Gallery that serves as artistic centerpieces. It also comes complete with full butler service.
