Hotel María Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel

The Hotel María Cristina is the hotel San Sebastián built to announce itself to the world. It opened in July 1912, in the years when the Spanish court spent its summers in the city, and its first guest, the story goes, was the queen regent María Cristina herself, after whom it is named. The building, a cream-coloured palace with wrought-iron balconies and a grand entrance, stands on the left bank of the Urumea river, beside the Teatro Victoria Eugenia and facing the Kursaal across the water. For more than a century it has been the place to stay in San Sebastián, and after the city’s film festival was founded in 1953 it kept drawing the biggest stars of the screen, who still come every September. Today it is part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection, with 139 rooms, including a generous number of suites, decorated in a classic style of soft colours, rich fabrics and marble bathrooms, some with views of the river and others of the gardens. The hotel’s bars and restaurants are destinations in themselves: the Dry Martini by Javier de las Muelas, a branch of the famous Barcelona cocktail bar, The Gallery, a relaxed restaurant with a private terrace, a popular Sunday brunch, and Amelia by Paulo Airaudo, an acclaimed fine-dining restaurant. There is a complimentary fitness centre, and pets are welcome.

Location and getting around: the hotel is at Paseo República Argentina 4, in the Centro district at the mouth of the Urumea. The old town and its pintxo bars are about five minutes on foot, La Concha beach about ten, and the Kursaal and the Gros surf beach just across the river. The starting point of the hop-on hop-off bus is next door at the Teatro Victoria Eugenia. Bilbao is about an hour away by car or bus, and the city’s bus station is a short taxi ride.

Rooms: rooms are traditional and polished rather than minimalist, with high ceilings, chandeliers and calm tones. Ask for a river view if you want light and the sight of the Kursaal; garden-side rooms are quieter. Suites suit special occasions and long stays.

Who it suits: couples celebrating, film and history lovers, and travellers who want the most classic address in town. It is also excellent for gourmets, with fine dining in the house and the old town on the doorstep.

Good to know: parking is not on site; the hotel uses the nearby Okendo public car park for a daily fee, with electric charging subject to availability. Pets are accepted for a fee, one dog per room. Breakfast is charged separately unless included in your rate. Prices peak during the film festival in late September and in summer; November is one of the best-value months.