Hotel Palacio Bellas Artes San Sebastián: A Boutique Luxury Hotel with a Stunning Rooftop

A historic architectural landmark, bold contemporary interiors, and a private rooftop terrace made Hotel Palacio Bellas Artes one of the most memorable hotel experiences of our trip through Spain.

San Sebastián is famous for its pintxos, Michelin-starred restaurants, beautiful beaches, and exceptional Basque wines. But finding a hotel that feels as distinctive as the city itself can be a challenge.

During our recent visit, we stayed at Hotel Palacio Bellas Artes San Sebastián, Curio Collection by Hilton, a beautifully reimagined historic building that combines dramatic architecture with contemporary boutique luxury.

From its striking exterior to its sophisticated interiors, the hotel has a personality all its own.

A Historic Landmark Reimagined

One of the first things that makes Palacio Bellas Artes special is the building itself.

The former Palacio Bellas Artes is an architectural landmark, with an ornate façade, dramatic mansard roof, and large arched windows. Rather than creating another conventional luxury hotel, the renovation embraces the building's historic character while introducing a completely contemporary design aesthetic.

Inside, the atmosphere changes dramatically.

Soft pinks, warm terracotta, sculptural lighting, curved furniture, marble, and natural wood create an interior that feels more like a sophisticated design hotel than a traditional Hilton property.

The centerpiece of the public spaces is a spectacular multi-tiered chandelier suspended above a circular lounge. It's an impressive architectural feature and one of the hotel's most photogenic spaces.

The overall design is bold without feeling excessive, balancing modern luxury with a sense of warmth.

Our Room: Contemporary Design with a Private Rooftop Terrace

Our accommodations were one of the highlights of the stay.

The room featured soaring curved ceilings, pale wood finishes, soft pink furnishings, and a large bed set against a dramatic upholstered headboard.

A plush curved sofa, marble-topped table, and carefully selected artwork gave the room a residential feel.

The bathroom was equally memorable, with a freestanding soaking tub, warm coral-colored walls, marble surfaces, and striking geometric floor tiles.

The combination was playful, sophisticated, and unlike the typical luxury hotel bathroom.

But the real standout was our private rooftop terrace.

Perched among the rooftops of San Sebastián, the terrace offered an intimate outdoor space with comfortable seating, greenery, and views across the surrounding historic architecture.

One evening, we enjoyed a bottle of red wine and small bites on the terrace. With the city illuminated around us, it became one of our favorite moments of the stay.

Having a private outdoor space like this in the heart of San Sebastián added something truly special to the experience.

The Lobby and Cocktail Lounge

The hotel's public spaces are just as thoughtfully designed as the guest rooms.

The circular lobby lounge is dominated by its extraordinary chandelier, surrounded by curved seating, warm wood paneling, and beautifully finished stone floors.

It's an inviting space to relax after exploring the city.

Naturally, we also made time for cocktails.

The lounge offers a stylish setting for an afternoon drink, and we enjoyed a round of espresso martinis while taking in the architecture.

It's not the kind of traditional hotel lobby where you simply pass through on the way to your room. The design encourages you to stay and enjoy the space.

Breakfast at Palacio Bellas Artes

Breakfast was another enjoyable part of our stay.

We particularly liked the avocado toast, served on rustic bread with sliced avocado, a soft egg, fresh herbs, and a creamy green sauce.

The presentation was excellent, and the dish felt fresh and satisfying without being overly heavy.

For a city where food is such an important part of the travel experience, having a quality breakfast before heading out to explore was a welcome addition.

Of course, San Sebastián offers so many outstanding restaurants and pintxos bars that we recommend leaving plenty of room for eating around the city.

Location: A Great Base for Exploring San Sebastián

One of the advantages of staying at Palacio Bellas Artes is its central location.

San Sebastián is a wonderfully walkable city, and the hotel makes it easy to explore many of its highlights without relying on taxis.

The famous La Concha Beach, the shopping streets of the city center, and the pintxos bars of the Old Town are all within walking distance.

For us, the location worked particularly well because we wanted to balance sightseeing with San Sebastián's incredible food and wine scene.

We also used San Sebastián as our base for exploring the surrounding Basque Country, including wine experiences in Getaria and Rioja Alavesa.

Returning to a comfortable, beautifully designed hotel after a full day of wine tasting was a pleasure.

What We Loved Most

There were several things that made Palacio Bellas Artes stand out:

• The architecture: A beautifully restored landmark with a distinctive historic exterior.

• The interior design: Sophisticated, contemporary, and full of personality.

• Our rooftop terrace: A wonderful private space for enjoying wine and the San Sebastián skyline.

• The bathroom: The freestanding soaking tub and geometric tilework were particularly memorable.

• The lobby lounge: One of the most visually impressive hotel public spaces we encountered on this trip.

• The location: Convenient for exploring San Sebastián on foot.

Is Hotel Palacio Bellas Artes Worth Staying At?

For travelers who appreciate architecture, interior design, and boutique luxury, Palacio Bellas Artes is an excellent choice in San Sebastián.

What makes the hotel particularly appealing is that it doesn't feel like a conventional chain hotel.

Although part of Hilton's Curio Collection, it has a distinctive identity, with a strong design concept carried throughout the property.

The rooftop terrace was the defining feature of our stay, transforming what would already have been a beautiful room into a genuinely memorable experience.

If you're visiting San Sebastián for its exceptional food, wine, and culture, Palacio Bellas Artes provides a stylish and comfortable base for discovering the city.

Our verdict: A distinctive luxury boutique hotel that successfully combines historic architecture with bold contemporary design. For us, the private rooftop terrace and beautifully designed interiors made it a standout stay.

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