Akelarre - Relais & Châteaux

Modern and stylish hotel with exceptionally friendly staff. Everyone we encountered was helpful, accommodating, and truly went the extra mile. The rooms are spacious, all offering ocean views, and the spa treatment was both relaxing and enjoyable. That said, two aspects could be improved. First, the cocktail program falls short of what you would expect from a hotel associated with a 3-star dining experience. Second, the room design and descriptions are misleading. The "Panoramic Deluxe" category is advertised as offering a wide, panoramic ocean view, and all photos on ******* show that specific layout. However, not all "Panoramic Deluxe" rooms match this description. Some are simply a slightly larger version of the lower-tier "Double Horizon" category, without the true panoramic layout. When we raised this concern, the response was that room configurations vary and no alternative "Panoramic Deluxe" room was available. This was especially disappointing given the +20% price difference. In reality, we received what could be described as a "Premium Double Horizon," offering only about 10m² more space than the regular version. This feels misleading and is not acceptable for a hotel of this caliber. The property should update its room categories with clearer sub-types and transparent descriptions to avoid future guest frustration.

Great stay at Hotel Akelarre…spectacular view , rooms are sleek & super comfortable and the staff made everything easy.A perfect way to relax enjiy tge scenery and treat yourself. Tge highlight of our stay was dining at Akelarre Restaurant - food is amzing!!! Highly recommend…

We might have liked staying at a hotel in town for convenience, but the Akelarre was amazing! Service was great all around. Great breakfast. It’s one of those places where it’s so nice that you may forget that there is great stuff to see, eat, and drink in town! The only drawbacks: Having to call the concierge and wait 15-20 minutes anytime we needed taxis to go somewhere off-property. Fitness center was too small. No outdoor pool. Very expensive. The 3-star Akelarre Restaurant was a special experience, but I wouldn't do it again because we have a few picky eaters, and it lasted over 4 hours. My mistake was having that dinner the night before we had to wake up at the crack of dawn to get to the airport. That made our first day in the next city exhausting after getting only 5 hours of sleep.

While every review of Akelarre already highlights the breathtaking beauty of the resort—the striking architecture, stunning views of the Bay of Biscay, and the intimate luxury of a small number of suites—I want to echo that this property is truly exceptional in every way. But what really sets Akelarre apart is the level of personalized, world-class service that goes far beyond even five-star expectations. From the moment we arrived, the concierge team was always available, incredibly responsive, and genuinely warm. Every staff member seemed to know us by name and made us feel completely at home. It's rare to find service this intuitive and consistent. A standout moment came on the first day of our stay, during what turned out to be one of the worst power outages in Spain and Portugal's history. Remarkably, we didn't even notice—the hotel’s private backup generator kept everything running smoothly. But when the staff tried to confirm our lunch reservation and taxi, they couldn’t get through to any vendors due to the blackout. Without missing a beat, Lucie graciously offered to drive us to the restaurant in her own car. She walked us in, explained the situation to the staff, and didn't leave until we were seated with wine and appetizers. That level of care and thoughtfulness is rare and deeply appreciated. It turned an unexpected hiccup into a memory we'll treasure. We came here for a special occasion—our 40th birthdays and our anniversary—and left feeling like we’d been guests in someone’s home. Akelarre is more than just a luxury hotel; it’s a place where every detail is intentional, and every guest is treated like family. Could not recommend more highly. We can’t wait to return.