Looking to read a detailed review of Hotel Arbaso in San Sebastian before booking your next trip to Northern Spain? You’ve come to the right place!
Hotel Arbaso is a chic boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown San Sebastian. With its conveniently central location it’s the perfect accommodation option for those keen to explore the “World’s Michelin Capital” on foot.
I spent 2 nights in a beautiful duplex penthouse suite at the trendy boutique hotel in Basque Country. My review of Hotel Arbaso features info on the award-winning hotels accommodation options, restaurant, and unique on-site amenities.
Book A Luxurious Holiday at Hotel Arbaso in San Sebastian
Hotel Arbaso is the ideal boutique hotel to stay in San Sebastian for traveling art lovers and food fans.
It’s located in the heart of the city, right in front of Buen Pastor Cathedral in the Centro neighbourhood. Guests will find plenty of nearby shops as well as a traditional market, which is just a 2 minute walk away. The old town can be reached in 10 minutes, La Concha Beach in less than 5 minutes and you can cross the river to arrive in the Gros neighbourhood after a 15 minute leisurely stroll.
In the Basque language ‘arbaso’ means ancestors; so the hotel is a tribute to the properties Basque origins, traditions, culture, and gastronomy.
The 50-room Arbaso Hotel is an independent family run property that is managed by 3 sisters. It was constructed and launched in 2020 by FIARK Arquitectos.
All of Buen Pastor Square’s architecture is considered historical, and so is the Arbaso; a 19th Century neoclassical and eclectic building with a protected façade.
The reception of the 5-story hotel reminds you of the entrance of a home, doubling as a lobby and cocktail bar. Once guests skip inside, they take in the scent of the wood burning in the fireplace and the warmth of the wood throughout the interior. The front desk concept resembles a big table with lots of seats, an homage to traditional Basque dinner tables.
All of the staff uniforms have been designed locally by designer Irati Guarretxena, who is the owner of Letitare. The uniforms are inspired by traditional Basque clothing, which she tailor-made for staff working at the hotel and restaurant.
Ranked as one of the best boutique hotels in San Sebastian, Hotel Arbaso’s jaw-dropping interiors feature many well-known design pieces such as Rafael Moneo chairs, Norman Foster bed lights, Santa & Cole lamps, and Eames’ Plastic Chair.
Arbaso Hotel Review Highlights
San Sebastian offers a slice of chic cosmopolitan flare with a small town vibe, similar to Malaga, Corfu and Bodrum, offering an array of luxury accommodations. The city is a popular destination for freshly married couples looking to book a romantic honeymoon filled with Michelin Star dinners.
Before booking your trip, here are a list of highlights that make Hotel Arbaso in San Sebastian stand out from the rest.
- Hotel Arbaso is one of the most luxurious boutique hotels in San Sebastian, conveniently located in the heart of the city.
- The petite 50 room design hotel features unparalleled service, award-winning restaurant, and suites, which each boast their own unique interior design.
- Guests can borrow electric bikes to explore the city free of charge.
- The hotel’s basement features a boutique gym outfitted with Precor machines and a wellness area featuring a sauna, hammam and shower.
- Narru is the hotel’s signature restaurant, which offers an a la carte and tasting menu to guests each morning.
- Visit Narru in the evening to sip craft cocktails, fine Spanish wine and fork through award-winning Basque cuisine in a chic fine dining room.
Accommodation
The most important question you have to ask yourself when reading a Hotel Arbaso review is, “what type of accommodation would I like to book for my holiday.”
Most of the rooms are different from each other, as unique as a home away from home can be. The management have given each room a memorable name, such as the Zuhaitz, Hodei, Ilargi and Basoa.
When walking around Hotel Arbaso you’re surrounded by wood, leather, ribbon, rock and other noble materials that have been used in the furniture and within the design of the common areas and guest rooms.
Many of the rooms feature 300 thread count bed sheets, comfy King sized bed, bathtub, living room space, viewpoint with a terrace, exclusive Eight & Bob sustainable amenities, Marshall speaker and a tablet loaded with helpful information about the hotel such as restaurant menus, direct 24h contact with the reception team and a plush pillow menu.
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Restaurants
No review of Hotel Arbaso in San Sebastian is complete until you’ve had an opportunity to wag your finger down the hotel’s restaurant menu.
The hotel operates a cocktail bar in the reception/lobby space as well as a fine dining restaurant called Narru.
Hotel Arbaso Breakfast
Guests at Hotel Arbaso wake up to the world each morning by sipping frothy cappuccinos at Restaurant Narru.
A la carte breakfast is offered as well as a “tasting breakfast menu,” perfect for those who are feeling really peckish.
Highlights from the Narru breakfast menu at Hotel Arbaso include fruit salad, yogurt with toasted granola, flaky croissants, ham cheese & egg sandwich, avocado toast, and the signature Narru eggs (sous vide poached eggs, hollandaise, and pork blade).
Narru
In the evening Narru serves traditional Basque cuisine based on local and seasonal market products.
“Narru” was the nickname of the chef’s father, who was a professional player of the Basque sport “pala.” The word Narru comes from “larrua,” which means leather in the Basque language and is also made of material used to cover the balls that are used in the sport.
The restaurant is divided into three areas: the bar, the restaurant and the outdoor terrace. The menu slightly changes from the restaurant to the bar, with grilled items being served only in the dining room at dinner.
Iñigo Peña is Narru’s chef who founded the restaurant more than 15 years ago. He started cooking in the Gros neighbourhood, than moved to La Concha and is now located on the ground floor of Arbaso, facing the Buen Pastor Cathedral.
Narru boasts many culinary awards, from being featured in the Michelin Guide to winning Repsol Guide Sol. It is currently ranked the 8th restaurant of 10 in Gipuzkoa (San Sebastian’s province) by MACARFI Guide.
Highlights from the Narru menu include Ox Ravioli with foie and truffle, Spider Crab with Iberian pork jowl, Grilled turbot and succulent Txuleta steaks.
Fun Things To Do In San Sebastian
We suggest spending at least 3 nights in San Sebastian, especially if you’re visiting during the summer. Bliss would be spending your days relaxing on the beach and swimming followed by evenings bar hopping in search of the Old Town’s best Pintxos.
- Zurriola Beach: this beach sits in front of the modern Kursaal Conference Centre and is famous for its wild waves so you’ll see plenty of locals skipping across the bridge with their board to go surfing.
- La Concha: is San Sebastian’s most famous beach, which was named one of the top 20 beaches in the world in 2023, thanks in part to its fine, golden sand, stretching over 1,300 metres, and crystal-clear waters.
- El Peine del Viento: most hotels offer complimentary bike hire so we suggest peddling to the end of La Concha to visit the famous “Wind Comb” sculpture by Eduardo Chillida. Or enjoy a pleasant stroll, which takes approximately 1 hour.
- San Vincente Church: the city’s Gothic-style church was built in the 16th century and features soaring ceilings and round stained-glass windows. Right by the entrance there’s a bar with a pretty patio so we suggest sipping an Aperol Spritz while saying a midday Hail Mary!
- Basilica of Saint Mary of the Chorus: our favourite architectural marvel in the Old Town is this historic 18th-century Catholic church as it boasts ornately carved exterior doors. It’s conveniently located next door to some of the city’s best Pintxos bars.
- Victoria Eugenia Theatre: built in 1912, the city’s historic theatre is where start studded screenings take place during the San Sebastian Film Festival. Each September many of the world’s top directors and actors stroll down the red carpet to attend premiers at the festival.
- Plaza de la Constitucion: this scenic square is located in the city’s Old Town and is a popular spot to enjoy an afternoon aperitivo on a patio in the sun. The balconies in the square are numbered, since they served as boxes for the bullfighting festivals held in the square.
Hotel Arbaso Contact
Hondarribia Kalea, 34-843-93-14-00
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