Akelarre

Why book?

For a heady blend of sea air, three Michelin-starred cuisine, cliffside serenity, and architecture so seamlessly embedded into the Basque hills it feels as though it was always meant to be there.

Set the scene

Perched on the slopes of Monte Igueldo, above the crashing drama of the Bay of Biscay, Akelarre is more than a place to stay – it’s a slow, sensory unfolding. From up here, San Sebastián gleams to the east, the sea stretches endlessly forward, and silence settles like an ancient cloak. The aesthetic is minimal, meditative, and designed to let nature do the talking. Everything – the light, the salt, the slowness – conspires to shift your inner tempo.

The backstory

Before there was a hotel, there was a revolution. In 1975, a young Pedro Subijana took over the kitchen at Akelarre, and the rest is culinary history: three Michelin stars, a pivotal role in the New Basque Cuisine movement, and a legacy that has endured for decades. In 2017, alongside his daughter Oihana, Subijana expanded his vision into hospitality, building a 22-room boutique hotel discreetly carved into the hillside. Today, the project is part of Relais & Châteaux and holds two Michelin Keys, a rare seal of approval for a property that merges haute cuisine with understated luxury.

The rooms

The 22 rooms—ranging from spacious Doubles to dramatic Ocean Suites—are all outward-facing, designed to drink in the Cantabrian light. Interiors are warm and clean-lined: noble woods, soft fabrics and light tones. The suites feature plunge pools and terraces that serve as private viewing decks for sunrise, sea fog, and sunset. The scent of salt hangs in the air; the silence is devotional.

Food and drink

This is where Akelarre sings. The flagship restaurant, with its three Michelin stars, is a culinary pilgrimage site. Every plate – be it lobster and kiskilla under a cover of venere rice and salpicón sorbet, or the fried red mullet on a mosaic of barnacles and mussels – is artful, surprising, and profoundly anchored in the local terroir. In 2025, Subijana celebrated 50 years at Akelarre with Urteurrena, a tasting menu tracing a lifetime of flavour.

For something more relaxed (but still exquisite), Espacio Oteiza—named after the sculptor and close family friend Jorge Oteiza—offers breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner on its vast terrace. The cuisine is freer, season-led, and deeply local: txangurro lasagna, sea bass with green pepper, roast suckling pig with puffed potatoes, pantxineta with roasted apple ice cream… Cocktails and small bites arrive at golden hour, with views that demand a long, slow toast.

The spa

The 800-square-meter wellness space is pure hush. An indoor pool with a hydrotherapy circuit, dry sauna, hammam, and serene treatment rooms offers ritual-level relaxation. The products come from two main and high-end firms: Sisley Paris and Valmont. The relaxation area, lined with loungers facing the sea, is perfect for post-treatment reverie with herbal tea and a view.

The area

San Sebastián is one of Europe’s most elegant small cities, and from Akelarre you can reach the old town’s famed pintxo bars, the Belle Époque promenade of La Concha, or the surf-friendly Zurriola beach in 15 minutes. But you may never want to leave Monte Igueldo. The coastline stretches wildly in both directions—Getaria to the west, Biarritz to the north—and there’s as much to do as your appetite allows: hiking, sailing, wine tastings, even helicopter rides along the rugged coast.

The service

Discreet, generous, and deeply intuitive. The staff feels more like a well-knit crew than a traditional team, and the Subijana family’s presence is more than symbolic. Every detail is a quiet act of care. “For us, every client is unique. That client came to my house today. Today is their day”, says Pedro.

Eco effort

Akelarre’s architecture alone (by Mecanismo Studio) is an environmental love letter: low-impact, locally sourced, and designed to blend with the land. The culinary philosophy is also grounded in sustainability—local farmers, seasonal produce, low waste, and a reverence for raw ingredients define both kitchens. The spa products are natural and have formulas based on plant extracts.

Accessibility

The hotel is adapted for guests with reduced mobility, with accessible rooms, ramps, parking spaces, elevators, and spacious bathrooms with roll-in showers.

Family

Akelarre is an adults-forward hotel, designed more for couples and contemplative travellers than for toddlers with energy to burn. That said, older children (the hotel is not recommended for children under 14) with a taste for adventure – or good food – will find plenty to enjoy. Pets are not allowed.