WHERE TO KICK YOUR HEELS

From French shoe designer Louboutin’s Alentejo hideout to Branson’s soon-to-open UNESCO protected Mallorca estate, the Olive Press picks a Top 6 of new Iberian Peninsula hotels for 2023

WHEN it comes to the world’s best luxury hotels, Spain ticks many boxes. And the accommodation on offer just keeps getting better, particularly when it comes to architecture, with a host of hip new hotels opening over the last year. Whether you are seeking rural tranquillity, a lively city break, a taste of history or a beach holiday, there is something for everyone. Here we take a look at 6 of the best new hotels in 2023…

CANFRANC ESTACION, HUESCA

Opened February 2023. From €159 a night

EXPERIENCE First Class accommodation at this former railway station.

Sitting in the heart of the Pynenees, just seven kilometres to the French border, this stunning hotel is an architectural gem, both in its original design and recent reform. Opened in 1928 with a cere- mony attended by King Alfonso XIII and president Gaston Doumergue, at the time it was a modernist masterstroke made of steel and concrete. Promising a route from Paris to Madrid and Lisbon, via Zaragoza, it was suitably grand (and long, at 241m in length). www.barcelo.com

But the Spanish Civil War ended any hopes of romanticism as the border shut and during World War II, Canfranc witnessed a wagon-load of arrests, espionage and gold trafficking across the border into Spain. It became known as ‘the Titanic of the mountains’ particular after the station (and route) closed in 1970. Thankfully after much tooing and froing it was acquired by the regional Aragon government and in 2017 work began on bringing it back to its former glory.

In February its doors finally reopened with 103 rooms, care of the Spanish Barcelo group. You enter the hotel via the grand, imposing central booking hall (right), with giant windows and views onto the Pyrenees. It sets the scene developed by Barcelona interior firm, ilmio, who have renovated the rooms to a high standard maximising the views.

SON BUNYOLA, BUNYOLA, MALLORCA

Open June 16, From approx €600 a night in September www.virginlimitededition.com

WE first wrote about the incredible UNESCO heritage estate British tycoon Richard Branson owns in the north-west of Mallorca a few years back… and when he opened a couple of villas last year we expected the hotel to follow soon afterwards.

Now, finally, after plenty of chopping and changing, the Son Bunyola Hotel will open with 26 rooms and suites next month.

The hotel is expected to be a new definition of luxury for the island, sitting in its incredible 1,300 acres of private land.

On a rocky headland, enveloped by a pine forest, the privileged guests can be guaranteed peace and silence.

It will count on two restaurants, an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, as well as a spa.

VERMELHO HOTEL, MELIDES, PORTUGAL

Opened May 2023, from €278 a night in low season

THIS sleepy part of central Portugal was mostly overlooked for decades, until the nearby coastal strip of Comporta got globally fashionable a decade ago. While a little way south and inland, the Alentejo boutique hotel of shoe legend, Christian Louboutin (above), is by far THE style hotel of 2023 so far.

Opening this month, it is inspired by Louboutin’s ‘eclectic, maximalist and daring’ tastes. And that is all too clear, looking at the photos on the website, which champions, as much, its artisan designers and artists as its actual location or rooms.

The Parisian fashion legend fell in love with the region decades ago and has carefully gathered together the best of its authentic style.

This is the listed historic home he frequently locked himself away to work on his winter collection and, who knows, maybe inspired his famous red soles (top left). It is very much a reflection of the region’s laid-back vibe and wonderful light and its 13 bedrooms are a riot of colourful details, including frescoes and unusual tiles. The Matinha suite, in particular, is out of the grand dreamy playbook of the kings of Sintra. While carefully preserving the building’s detailed architecture, the gardens are a step on, being designed by landscape specialist Louis Benech, who has even worked at the Gardens of Versailles. There is a natural heated swimming pool. Need we say more. www.vermelhohotel.com

CASA PALACIO PAREDES SAAVEDRA BY ATRIO, CACERES

Opened March 2023 From €1,139 a night

LIVE like a conquistador. The price for a junior suite may seem a touch high, but then you are staying in a five-star Renaissance palace with parts dating back to the 14th century. Caceres is one of the most charming towns in Extremadura, with the ancient streets reminders of the wealth that poured in from South America.

Its opening was a dream come true for Jose Polo and Tono Perez, famous for their three Michelin stars at the nearby Atrio Restaurant (also a hotel), in Caceres.

A further step into luxury, this architectural jewel is artfully placed in a key historic barrio of this wonderful city. The reception areas of the hotel follow ‘a simple, unified architectural canon in harmony with its surroundings’, and there is a distinct sense of tranquillity.

The beautiful courtyard has maintained its original columns and flagstone floors, while its suites are surprisingly modern, yet work with a range of original features from vaulted ceilings to Juliet windows.

At least the price includes breakfast and you can normally (one expects) get a booking in the nearby Atrio restaurant. www.restauranteatrio.com

GRAND HOTEL SON NET, PUIGPUNYENT, MALLORCA

Opened March 2023, From approx €615 a night in low season

IF grand, country estates are your thing, then Son Net takes some beating. Like an Italianate villa its grand proportions shelter some of the best appointed suites - and communal rooms - in all Europe. And this is no fusty, sit-on-their-laurels grand family sitting back and collecting tithes from the fortunate few. Son Net was taken over by Andalucia’s leading five-star delight, Finca Cortesin, last year. They know how to do luxury… and discreetly to boot. Far from worried about occupancy, they concentrate on amazing service (the sort where Santander bank’s Bo- tin family can feel comfortable, dining next to the likes of Slash, from Guns & Roses or Peter Andre). www.sonnet.es

After a year of expensive renovation which carefully conserved its palatial design (stone floors, beams and arches, etc) it has recently emerged as a sophisticated retreat with classically elegant bedrooms and suites.

Nudging into the foothills of the Sierra Tramuntana mountains, the grounds are to lay back and be pampered beside the 30-metre pool flanked by private shaded cabanas, a phalanx of flower-beds and a vineyard and ecological vegetable garden.