Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra

If you picture waking up to the view of La Concha, this is the hotel. The Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra stands right on the bay, its facade and balconies facing the promenade, the beach and the island of Santa Clara, at the point where the curve of the sand meets the city centre. The building dates from the nineteenth century, the age when San Sebastián became a fashionable resort for European aristocracy, and its name recalls the British visitors who helped make it famous. It has been welcoming guests ever since, and it was renovated in 2020, bringing modern comfort to its 167 rooms while keeping the old-world atmosphere of the public spaces. The best rooms face the bay, with views that change through the day from the morning light on the water to the lights of Monte Igueldo at night; the interior rooms are quieter and cheaper. The hotel is a reliable upper-mid-range choice, with the services of a large hotel, including parking, and staff used to helping visitors find restaurants and book experiences. Its position is its greatest asset: the beach is across the road, the old town and its pintxo bars are a few minutes to the east, and the shopping streets of the Centro are behind the hotel. The city hall, housed in the former casino, and the Alderdi Eder gardens are next door.

Location and getting around: the hotel is at Zubieta 2, on the Paseo de La Concha at the edge of the Centro district. The old town is about five minutes on foot through the Alderdi Eder gardens, the starting point of the pintxos tour at the tourism office is close by, and the funicular to Monte Igueldo is a pleasant forty-minute walk along the bay. Buses along the seafront and to the bus station stop nearby.

Rooms: rooms vary from compact interior doubles to bay-view rooms and suites, all refreshed in the 2020 renovation. Book a sea view if you can; it is the reason to stay here, and in winter storms the bay is spectacular.

Who it suits: first-timers who want to be in the middle of everything, beach lovers, couples on a romantic break and families who appreciate having the sand across the road. It also suits travellers who arrive by car, thanks to the parking.

Good to know: rates depend heavily on the view, so compare room types carefully. Breakfast may not be included. Summer and the film festival in September are the busiest and most expensive times, while November brings quieter streets, dramatic seas and better prices.