Michelin Key Hotels in Spain: Fora’s Picks

Image courtesy of La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel

The Michelin Key was born in France, and has made its way to Spain. From countryside eco-retreats to urban palaces and boutique gems, the Michelin team has done it again, applying their discerning, expertly honed taste to the country’s best places to stay.

Read on for a few of Fora’s favorite Michelin Key hotels in Spain. At the end of each section — three Keys, two Keys and one Key — you’ll also find the remaining Key hotels, all of which merit a visit. When you're ready to jet off, connect with Fora to plan and book your trip.

Three-Key hotels

Five hotels in Spain were bestowed with this enviable honor. Each three-Key property goes above and beyond in every way. They’re destinations in and of themselves.

Matarraña: Torre del Marqués Hotel Spa & Winery

Image courtesy of Torre del Marqués Hotel Spa & Winery

If you love organic wine and a serious locavore approach to fine dining, you’ll love the 18-room Torre del Marqués, a beautifully renovated 18th-century masía in Spain’s Aragon region. 

Fora Advisor Gabrielle Brechner said that her clients absolutely loved the place, which she aptly called a luxe agriturismo experience. Gabrielle was even able to organize a special gourmet dining experience for them, which they said was one of the best meals of their trip.

The property is committed to sustainability. It maintains two organic orchards — one for summer, one for winter — plus olive groves and an organic vineyard. (Aragon is famous for its olive oil and wine, after all.) The orchards, vineyard and olive groves are watered solely with collected rainwater, and are cultivated using the hotel’s organic compost. 

Sustainability extends beyond growing methods and energy efficiency, (and we love how they’ve eliminated plastics from their manufacturing processes and supply chain). Torres del Marqués hires locally, too, and champions a sustainable approach to supporting the local community. During renovations, the hotel hired a local architect, and building materials were sourced within a 50-mile radius. Any food the property doesn’t produce itself, it sources from sustainable, small local suppliers.

Don’t miss a private picnic in the orchard forest, nor a spa treatment. Luxuriate in the spa’s hot springs area, Turkish bath and sauna before or after a treatment courtesy of Natura Bissé (a natural Spanish skincare line also used by The Greenwich Hotel’s Shibui Spa).

“Torre del Marqués is one of those properties that your clients come home and tell you about, and then it gets stuck in your head for your own future travels,” Gabrielle added. “It definitely went on my bucket list after getting feedback from my clients!”

Fora Perks:

• $50 spa credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

Valladolid: Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine

Image courtesy of Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine

Art lovers will rejoice at this tranquil 30-room retreat, housed in a 12th-century abbey. The hotel is a veritable art gallery, with works from the Renaissance up to the 20th century. Expect pieces from artists including Guardi, Panini, Miró and Palma the Younger, in addition to French tapestries and intricate bargueños, old Spanish desks. The most recent addition to the collection is a sleek metal sculpture from the Spanish artist Eduardo Chillida.

The subterranean Santuario Spa is located in the abbey’s former stables. There’s even a dedicated spa sommelier: Sample wines and try different essential oils before he designs a custom treatment for you. 

The hotel is located in the Ribera Del Duero wine region, which is close to Rioja but less touristy, said Fora Advisor Matthew Berman, who has booked the property for wine-loving clients.

Sip on varietals from the estate’s winery at all of Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine’s dining outlets, which prioritize local produce, if not ingredients grown in their own vegetable garden. One of the restaurants, Refectorio, boasts both a Michelin Star and a Michelin Green Star, a marker of sustainability.

Fora Perks:

• $100 spa credit, complimentary spa sommelier experience when booking any massage ritual treatment, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

Madrid: Mandarin Oriental Ritz

Image courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Ritz

This Belle Époque palace in Spain’s capital is a study in luxury. Rooms and common spaces are timeless and classic, with ornate details like crystal chandeliers, golden accents and sophisticated furniture — all with a refined modern flair. Fora Advisor Kelly Harrington is among Fora’s top bookers of the hotel, and has also personally stayed there. 

“The hotel has maintained its regality throughout the years — while keeping updated,” she said, “and you feel like royalty when you arrive.”

The location is prime: Mandarin Oriental Ritz is steps away from the city’s famed Retiro Park and Golden Triangle of Art, a cultural trifecta that includes the Museo del Prado, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museo Nacional. (Kelly said the hotel’s gorgeous street “offers a bit of peace amidst a clash of city chaos.”)

Unique private experiences abound: watch a soccer match from a VIP area, embark on an eBike tour, take a paella masterclass or explore the city’s gastronomic dynamism firsthand through expert-led market tours and tastings. After a day of exploring, retreat to the hotel’s luxe spa, complete with a white-marble indoor pool.

In the evening, sip a glass of Champagne in the al-fresco El Jardin del Ritz before heading to the two-Michelin-Starred Deessa for an exquisite tasting menu. Kelly raved about the unbelievable spa, outfitted with a gorgeous indoor pool, steam room and sauna — plus “intentional ceiling lights that [make you] feel like you’re relaxing under the stars.”

Fora Perks:

• When you book Mandarin Oriental with a Fora Advisor, you will enjoy exclusive Fan Club preferred partner amenities. Your advisor will be pleased to give you more details.
  
  

More three-Key hotels to love

Fora Advisors can unlock perks at the majority of these properties. Reach out to learn more. 

Atrio Restaurante Hotel

Terra Dominicata - Hotel & Winery

Two-Key hotels

The 12 two-Key hotels across Spain all have exceptional, thoughtful design and a strong sense of place. 

Mallorca: La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel

Image courtesy of La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel

For an intimate, cultural and luxurious island getaway, head to Belmond’s La Residencia. The hotel is one of Fora’s top 10 most-booked hotels in Spain, and our number-one hotel in Mallorca. Meticulously restored 16th- and 17th-century hilltop manors serve as the setting for the elegant, stunning property, which sits amidst ancient olive and citrus groves.

“It's the perfect blend of luxury and authenticity with incredible mountain and sea views,” said Fora Advisor Elizabeth Kaczka.

La Residencia is near the artists’ village Deià, in the Tramuntana Mountains (themselves a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Belmond even offers a complimentary art tour, where guests can explore the town, meet local artists and watch them work in their studios. (Guests can also take painting and sculpting classes with the hotel’s resident artist.)

Fora Advisor Louisa Vann is one of La Residencia’s top bookers within Fora. She said that Deià is a gem of a town, and very much worth a visit. There’s gelato, shopping, wonderful restaurants…even a local nightclub.

Each of the 71 rooms (which includes a villa), are outfitted with local antiques, artwork and fabrics. In fact, the hotel features work from 85 local artists, plus 33 original Miró paintings. If you’re really a fan of the latter artist, dine amongst his work while enjoying live music and aperitifs in the hotel’s Restaurante Miró. For a fine-dining moment, opt for dinner at El Olivo. The restaurant serves an elevated Mediterranean menu in a 17th-century olive mill.

La Residencia is also family-friendly. Louisa shared that her kids loved the kids’ club, spending most of their time between there and the pool (“The pool is iconic,” she said). It’s the place to see and be seen in Mallorca. 

“But you will need a hotel reservation to truly experience it,” Louisa said. “They have very strict enforcement of hotel guests only during the high season.”

Fora Perks:

• $90 hotel / resort credit, welcome amenities, breakfast daily & an upgrade whenever possible.
  
  

San Sebastián: AKELARRE

Image courtesy of AKELARRE

AKELARRE was originally a restaurant. It opened in 1970; five years later, renowned chef Pedro Subijana came onboard. Today, the restaurant has a coveted three Michelin Stars. AKELARRE has been dedicated to excellence and rigor from the start, so an accommodation option to accompany the culinary destination was a no-brainer.

The modern, sleekly designed hotel overlooks the Bay of Biscay. Interiors incorporate natural materials and a stylishly minimalist aesthetic inspired by their surroundings: wood, stone, clean lines, keen restraint.

AKELARRE is a short drive away from downtown San Sebastián, where additional foodie delights await. (The city has one of the world’s highest per-capita concentrations of Michelin Star.) Fora Advisor Angela Huang Walsh said staying here feels like staying at a resort, even though you’re only about 15 minutes away from town.

Also allow time to relax on the region’s beautiful beaches, as well as in the hotel’s adults-only spa. Anglea said the spa is stunning, as are its circular terrace areas overlooking the ocean. 

Fora Perks:

• VIP welcome & breakfast daily.
  
  

Madrid: Rosewood Villa Magna

Image courtesy of Rosewood Villa Magna

The Spaniards know their way around art, and this is especially evident at Rosewood Villa Magna, on Madrid’s famed Paseo de la Castellana. The hotel displays over 380 pieces, and the collection is regularly updated. (It’s no wonder Rosewood Villa Magna is one of our top hotels booked in Madrid.) 

Fora Advisor Martha Pearlstone said she always looks for a Rosewood when planning trips for clients.

“The Rosewood brand always strikes a beautiful balance of honoring the local architecture and history with contemporary design and amenities,” she said. “Rosewood Villa Magna in Madrid is a perfect example of this.” 

Upon entering, guests are greeted by a custom, sprawling 3D tableau inspired by the city and the Spanish tailoring of Balenciaga to Oteyza. Artistic surprises can be found throughout the hotel, from the hallways to the rooms themselves, which Martha shared are “spacious and elegant yet comfortable, welcoming and unpretentious.” 

It’s the perfect place to stay location-wise; the hotel is within walking distance of the trendy Serrano shopping district, the Golden Triangle of Art and numerous bustling bars and restaurants. 

The hotel is effortlessly elegant, with a vibrant, contemporary aesthetic and warm residential feel, courtesy of leafy terraces and gardens.

Fora Perks:

• $120 food / beverage or spa credit, a welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

More two-Key hotels to love

Fora Advisors can unlock perks at the majority of these properties. Reach out to learn more. 

Cap Rocat

Casa Beatnik Hotel

Four Seasons Hotel Madrid

Mandarin Oriental Barcelona

Marbella Club Hotel

Mas de Torrent Hotel & Spa 

Hotel Can Cera

Hotel Can Ferrereta

Pepe Vieira Restaurant & Hotel

One-Key hotels

Spain’s 80 one-Key hotels are character-driven, welcoming and endearing. All are in a category of their own when compared to other properties with a similar price point.

URSO Hotel & Spa Madrid

Image courtesy of URSO Hotel & Spa

This hip boutique hotel, among Fora’s 10 most-booked hotels in Spain, is dripping with charm. An airy, casual but nonetheless refined aesthetic creates a serene atmosphere: elegant furniture and patterned wallpaper, a modern glass staircase leading to a dining area bedecked with white-tablecloth seating. The balance is perfect. Fora Advisor Marissa Morrill also lauded the design: modern, but with tasteful historical character. (She also said the hotel is delightfully quiet, with large rooms by European standards.)

Don’t miss the spa, where the sleek wooden Water Room houses an even sleeker pool, plus a eucalyptus-scented hammam. Also don’t miss the hotel’s environs. URSO straddles some of Madrid’s liveliest neighborhoods: the youthful Chamberí and the LGBTQ-friendly Chueca.

Fora Perks:

• $100 hotel / resort credit, a complimentary Spanish tapa and glass of wine, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

Santiago de Compostela: A Quinta da Auga Hotel & Spa

Image courtesy of A Quinta da Auga Hotel & Spa

An 18th-century paper mill is the setting for this five-star boutique hotel. It’s the perfect, well-deserved reward after trekking the Camino de Santiago. 

Fora Advisor Jenn King stayed at the exclusive oasis after finishing her five-week camino journey. She loved the hotel’s remoteness and seclusion, but added that a taxi is required to get to the town of Santiago de Compostela (which she explained is very walkable, with a lot to offer). 

In addition to its remoteness, Jenn cited the hotel’s meticulous design and “the old furniture that felt so regal” as favorite details. Expect patterned wallpaper, exposed stone walls, colorful headboards and an overall moody, rustic-chic aesthetic. 

Jenn also said the food is not to be missed. The hotel’s Filigrana Restaurant serves traditional, carefully sourced Galician cuisine in elegant environs. Also a must is the spa, where guests can take advantage of a saline flotarium, hydrotherapy circuit and personalized treatments.

Fora Perks:

• A welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade & late check-out whenever possible.
  
  

Asturias: CoolRooms Palacio de Luces

Image courtesy of CoolRooms Palacio de Luces

Palacio de Luces feels like a privileged secret. And in many ways, it is. The hotel, a restored 16th-century palace amid sprawling gardens, is a short walk from the charming fishing village of Lastres. 

Fora Advisor Emmanuel Perez said he loves the boutique feel of the place. There are 44 spacious rooms, each with a soothing, tranquil aesthetic and ample natural light. Mint-colored walls, velvet upholstered furniture and pale wooden floors only add to the pervasive serenity. Holistic wellbeing is a theme here, and extends both to the spa and restaurants (which Emmannuel says are excellent).

Treat your body to contrast showers, a sauna session and a rejuvenating spa treatment incorporating high-end natural products. Palacio de Luces’ restaurants serve organic, locally sourced Asturian cuisine, some of which with a masterful Asian flair. Try Tella for an exquisite, well-sourced culinary experience, and GastroBar La Palmera for a comforting meal highlighting the region’s bounty. 

Fora Perks:

• Early check-in & late check-out whenever possible.
  
  

More one-Key hotels to love

Fora Advisors can unlock perks at the majority of these properties. Reach out to learn more. 

ABaC Restaurant & Hotel

Alma Barcelona

Almanac Barcelona

Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavís Marbella Resort

Antiga Casa Buenavista

Bahia del Duque

Bless Hotel Ibiza

Boutique Hotel Posada Terra Santa

Can Alberti 1740 Hotel Boutique

Can Bordoy Grand House & Garden

Can Mascort Eco Hotel

Canfranc Estación, a Royal Hideaway Hotel

Cap Vermell Grand Hotel

Caro Hotel

Castell Son Claret

Castillo Hotel Son Vida

CoolRooms Palacio de Atocha

CoolRooms Palacio Villapanés

Cristine Bedfor

El Llorenç Parc de la Mar - Adults Only

Es Princep

Es Raco d'Artà

Finca Cortesin

Finca Serena Mallorca

Gran Hotel Inglés

Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques

Helen Berger Boutique Hotel

Helguera Palacio Boutique & Antique

Hospes Palacio Del Bailio

Hotel Arts Barcelona

Hotel Boutique Mirlo

Hotel Can Faustino

Hotel Cortijo del Marqués

Hotel L'Avenida

Hotel Maria Cristina

Hotel Marques de Riscal

Hotel Mercer Sevilla

Hotel Peralada Wine Spa & Golf

Hotel Rector

Hotel Santa María Briones

Hotel Unico Madrid

La Almunia del Valle

La Bobadilla

La Zambra Resort

Lasala Plaza Hotel

Little Beach House Barcelona

Mercer Hotel Barcelona

Monument Hotel

Nobis Hotel Palma

Nobu Hotel Marbella

Nobu Hotel San Sebastián

Ohla Eixample

Only YOU Boutique Hotel Madrid

Only YOU Hotel Atocha

Only YOU Hotel Valencia

Petunia Ibiza, A Beaumier Hotel

Predi Son Jaumell

Royal Hideaway Corales Resort

Sa Creu Nova Petit Palais Art & Spa

Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel

Sant Francesc Hotel Singular

Santo Mauro, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Seda Club Hotel

Seventy Barcelona

Serras Barcelona

Soho House Barcelona

Son Brull Hotel & Spa

The One Barcelona

The Principal Madrid

The Westin Palace Madrid

Torralbenc

Unuk

VIVOOD Landscape Hotel & Spa - Adults Only

Wittmore Hotel Barcelona

Yurbban Passage Hotel & Spa

Ready to travel to Spain? Connect with Fora to plan and book your Michelin-approved getaway.