What pandemic? In April, more than seven million international visitors arrived in Spain, bringing the total for the first four months of 2023 to more than 20 million.
The April figure is 20 per cent higher than the same, pre-COVID month in 2019.
Yeah, what pandemic.
The Spain Tourism Board has been flat-out promoting the country, focusing on its “diverse landscapes, thriving gastronomy, innovative arts scene and Mediterranean way of life”.
And that has been given added impetus by a rash of openings of new hotels and restaurants.
These are some of the best…
NEW HOTELS
Nobu Hotel San Sebastian Due to open in July 2023, it will have just 20 guest rooms and suites, all set in picturesque La Concha Bay. San Sebastian is very much at Spain’s gastronomic heart and a Nobu restaurant will be a “hero feature of the hotel”. The restaurant overlooks La Concha beach.
Cavalata Boutique Hotel This five-star hotel opened in Seville in April 2023, on the “other side of the river” in Triana. The Cavalta Boutique Hotel is in a sensitively preserved historical building, with 12 rooms which an insider describes as “carefully designed and curated”. It has a restaurant, cocktail bar and the rooftop Garden Club with outdoor pool.
Seda Club Hotel Since February 2023, this member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, has been welcoming guests in Granada’s historical Plaza de la Trinidad. And they will be able to feel its historical and cultural roots. For its timber, marble, bronze and textiles are inspired by the 15th century silk trade in Granada.
Maribel This hotel, at one of the biggest ski areas in southern Europe (and with direct access to the Maribel and Auila slopes) opened in November 2022. In Sierra Nevada, Granada, it is of “sophisticated alpine chalet” style, with duplex suites and a Nordic-inspired spa with an outdoor area.
Casa Palacio Paredes Saavedra by Atrio This sternly architectural boutique hotel, which opened in March 2023, was launched by Tono Perez and Jose Polo, owners of Atrio Relais & Chateaux. That says a lot. For the five-star hotel has three Michelin stars. It is in Caceres, with 11 suites full of art and designer furniture.
NEW RESTAURANTS
Quirat Barcelona’s InterContinental Hotel is open, and with it comes this hot newcomer to the dining scene. Spain’s youngest Michelin star chef, Victor Torres, is behind two seasonal tasting menus. Dishes range from tartlets to caviar to offal stews with a twist.
Batea This new restaurant, also in Barcelona, has the backing of its well-received sister venue, Besta, which opened in 2021 and quickly got into the Michelin Guide. Batea is a marisqueria — a seafood bar. Laid-back, its menu includes seafood from oysters to clams, cockles to squid omelettes.
Bandini’s In Barcelona’s foodie hotspot of Sant Antoni, Bandini’s serves share plates with Scandi touches. It features local, seasonal produce.
Galeria Canalejas In Madrid, this is pretty much an “upscale food hall”, with 13 speciality restaurants. They include Michelin-star eateries. But, in an ornate and historic building, in the good shopping and foodie heart of Madrid, Galeria Canalejas actually spans three floors and is home to glitzy boutiques.
RavioXO Michelin star chef, Dabiz Munoz, has opened his third restaurant — this time in Madrid. The menu has 14 innovative dishes.
And on a final note, it’s worth mentioning that Cuenca has been named 2023 Spanish Capital of Gastronomy — the third time that it has taken the title in recent years. The city is set to unveil a series of new restaurants to bolster its already massive and thriving culinary scene. Restaurants hot on its list include the Michelin-recommended Las Casas Colgadas, Raff, and La Casa de la Sirena, by chef Jesus Segura.
For more information on travelling to Spain, spain.info/en/