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| Alfonso XIII, Seville |
Five-Star Gran Lujo Hotels in Andalucia
By Chris Chaplow
Andalucia has 16 five-star Gran Lujo (GL) hotels in Malaga, Cadiz, Granada and Sevilla
Gran Lujo means Grand Luxury and represents a level of service and facilities in excess of the five-star rating. Some hotels around the world use the term "six-star" to denote an establishment which is another level above a five-star.
In Andalucia, the hotel star-rating system is overseen by the Consejeria de Turismo (actually Consejería de Turismo, Regeneración, Justicia y Administración Local) of the Junta de Andalucia (regional government's Ministry of Tourism and Sport). A new hotel star rating system was published in May 2020 (Decree 13/2020 and 14/2021), long overdue since it had remained largely unchanged since 1984.
The 'new' or 18th May 2020 leglislation retains the one to five stars system however for hotels and aparthotels it is based on a points system from the assesment of 301 different and wide ranging criteria, rather than a list mandatory requirements for each star rating.A 1-star hotel needs 180 points up to a five-star hotel needing 650 points. There is a five year transition period in which all the hotels, aparthotels, hostals, pensions will need to carry out an assesment under the new criteria and apply for their stars under the 2020 system. The law also creates a new category 'alberges' (hostels) which can offer beds rather than rooms. Read more about Andalucia Hotels Star Rating
A Gran Lujo classification was only for five-star hotels that have been "declared Gran Lujo by the Consejería de Turismo y Deporte for exceptional conditions with respect to their installations, equipment and service". The 2010 revised legislation stated that the Consejería de Turismo y Deporte would establish the conditions for Gran Lujo, but this has never been done. This made it difficult for the hotel industry to plan, build a new five star GL hotel.
The 2020 legislation finally defines 57 criteria with a separate points system. In other words to be awarded a five-star GL the 5-star establishment needs an an additional 150 points from the 57 GL criteria. Hotel Miramar in Malaga was the first hotel (and so far only) to be awarded under the new definition.
Industry issues aside, we list below the 16 current five-star GL hotels in Andalucia. One or two, in our humble opinion, do not merit inclusion, and there are some apparent omissions. Please also check our famous hotels in Andalucia listing for the region's most iconic establishments.
The following five star gran lujo hotels are selected from our affiliate partners.
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The luxurious Gran Hotel Miramar GL is set in a listed XX century building and is located in Malaga, 10 metres from La Malagueta Beach. This beachfront hotel has a spa centre and a seasonal pool.
Hotel Las Dunas is a luxury health-focused hotel located in Estepona. Set in a traditional Andalusian-style building, this property offers two health and wellness Spa Centres, and various pools.
Set in Úbeda, Hotel Palacio De Úbeda 5 G.L features a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, bar and terrace. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge.
Hotel Casa Palacio María Luisa has a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and bar in Jerez de la Frontera. 500 metres from Jerez Cathedral and less than 1 km from Plaza del Mercado, the property features a shared lounge and a garden.
Set in Seville in the Andalucía Region, 1.1 km from Plaza de Armas, Hotel Mercer Sevilla boasts an outdoor pool and sun terrace. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant.
This luxurious beachfront hotel, set between Marbella and Puerto Banús, has 2 luxurious pools and 5 restaurants. Surrounded by lush gardens with direct beach access, it offers 1 free green fee per person per stay at Marbella Club Golf Resort.
Featuring 3 18-hole golf courses, this luxury hotel is 10 minutes’ drive from Puerto Banus. Designed like a Tuscan palace, it features a 2, 000 m² spa, Roman Amphitheater and a luxurious beach club.
Situated in the heart of Andalusia on a large country estate, La Bobadilla, a Royal Hideaway Hotel features a seasonal outdoor pool and a spa.
Constructed in the style of a traditional Andalusian palace the hotel offers elegant, air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi.
Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá is located on the seafront next to Marbella's Don Pepe Beach, 15 minutes' walk from Marbella Old Town. It offers 3 outdoor pools surrounded by gardens, and a spa; and each luxurious room has a large plasma-screen TV.
Kempinski Hotel Bahía Beach Resort & Spa is a luxurious beachfront hotel overlooking the Mediterranean, just 15 minutes’ drive from Puerto Banus. It features 3 outdoor swimming pools, gardens and a spa.
One of Spain's most prestigious hotels, Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville is located next to Seville’s Real Alcazares. It offers an outdoor swimming pool, gym and a typical garden courtyard with fountain.
This luxury, beachfront hotel is located just outside Estepona, on the Costa del Sol. It offers a spa, indoor and outdoor pools and elegant rooms with sea view and a private balcony or terrace.
This stylish hotel is 500 metres from the beach in a quiet area of Marbella. It features an outdoor pool, beach club, rooms with balconies or terrace and free Wi-Fi. Puerto Banús is 15 km away.
This luxury hotel and spa, with its own championship golf course, is a 5-minute drive from Bahía de Casares Beach. It features 2 outdoor pools and a private, seasonal beach club with infinity pool, restaurant and bar.
Located between Marbella and Puerto Banús, Puente Romano Beach Resort is situated in front of the beach, surrounded by gardens and waterfalls, and offers tennis courts, several swimming pools, and a wellness centre.
Set in an Andalusian palace, this luxury hotel offers a free spa, a large outdoor pool and direct access to La Barrosa Beach. Each elegant room includes a furnished terrace.
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This romantic hotel in a converted Renaissance palace boasts an impressive façade with a famous tower, and equally beautiful interiors. The main patio has marble columns and a wooden first-floor… More →
This is Malaga's most luxurious hotel, reopened in 2017 after a massive refurbishment with the top five-star GL rating (Gran Lujo, or Grand Luxury). Formerly known as the Palace of Miramar, it was a…
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The luxury hotel scene in Seville moved up a gear in November 2016, with the opening of the glamorous Mercer Seville, sister to the similarly tasteful luxe Mercer Barcelona, which has a reputation…
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This five-star luxury hotel offers a wellbeing programme with five meals and only 1300 calories per day, created by two-Michelin-star chef Andoni Luis Aduriz of Mugaritz restaurant. It boasts a 3000…
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This five-star hotel is situated in the beautiful Arena Beach resort, looking right out to sea. It is close to the lively coastal town of Estepona and just 65km from Malaga airport. The hotel has an…
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The Kempinski Hotel Bahia is on the Mediterranean coast just east of Estepona and is surrounded by luxurious sub tropical gardens, complete with three lagoon type swimming pools, one of which is…
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A five-star hotel, spa and golf resort, Finca Cortesin on the Costa del Sol is considered by many to be one of the finest hotels in Spain. Most of Andalucia's landmark hotels - ones which are well… More →
Located on La Barrosa beach, on the Costa de la Luz, this sleek, modern hotel with Andalucian features has a Michelin-starred restaurant and a spa, and is located near three golf courses. The Gran… More →
This beachfront hotel is named after a Roman bridge, which is at the centre of its lush grounds. Situated on Marbella's Golden Mile, the Puente Romano boasts nine bars and restaurants, including… More →
Michelle Obama chose this hotel to stay in during her visit to Marbella in 2010. A grand Italianate palace decorated in classical style, with an elegant and exclusive air which attracts many other… More →
This classy beachfront hotel is an institution in Andalucia's most glamorous beach resort, with a fascinating history and a cachet other establishments would kill for. Marbella is famous for its… More →
This five-star GL hotel, near Loja in Granada province, is world-famous; it has been described as a cross between a parador and a pueblo blanco. Placido Domingo, Tom Cruise and King Juan Carlos of… More →
This hotel is a true landmark - a Mudejar palace built for a king, whose name it takes. Located near the Parque Maria Luisa, the Alfonso XIII has an important place is Seville's history, and in its…
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