Hotel Maria Cristina
Grand historic Belle Époque hotel with soaring columns, crystal chandeliers, 19th-century Impressionist portraits, and rich silk brocades. Contemporary in its service sensibility but deeply rooted in old-world ceremony. Film-festival glamour runs through its bones.
River-view rooms are worth the premium: you get the Urumea, the Kursaal, and glimpses of the sea all at once
Why It Matters
One of Spain's most historically significant hotels — opened 1912, designed by Charles Mewes (Ritz architect), and the beating heart of the San Sebastian Film Festival for over 70 years. Now also home to Paulo Airaudo's Amelia (2 Michelin stars), making it a serious gastronomic destination on top of everything else.
Hotel Maria Cristina is San Sebastian's grand dame, a Belle Époque landmark that opened in 1912 on the banks of the Urumea River. Designed by Charles Mewes — the same architect behind the Ritz in Madrid and Paris — the building sits directly across from the Victoria Eugenia Theatre, and its 139 rooms offer river views, sea views, or garden-facing outlooks. Since the San Sebastian Film Festival launched in 1953, the hotel has been the de facto address for stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Davis, Woody Allen, and Brad Pitt. In 2026, two-Michelin-starred chef Paulo Airaudo moved his celebrated Amelia restaurant into the hotel, adding serious gastronomic weight to an already strong food-and-drink lineup.
Where You'll Stay
12 room types available
Bette Davis Suite
Dedicated to the iconic actress who spent her last visit to San Sebastian here in 1989. Belle Époque-inspired living room adorned with Davis's iconic photographs and memorabilia. Tranquil bedroom with river views and a king-size bed. A curated selection of Bette Davis films is available in-room.
Classic Garden View Room
The entry-level category at Maria Cristina. Decorated in elegant grey and cream tones with aubergine finishes, chandelier, 200-thread-count bed linens, and feather duvets. Marble bathroom with separate bath and rain-effect shower. Views face the garden rather than the river.
Deluxe Garden View Room
A step up from Classic, still garden-facing but with more space. Same elegant palette and marble bathrooms. Allergy-friendly rooms with air conditioning, iPod dock, flat-screen TV, and minibar.
Eduardo Chillida Suite
A tribute to the late great Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. The suite is decorated with his works and personal images, a bespoke carpet featuring his motifs, and furnishings inspired by his abstract forms. Guests also receive tickets to the Chillida Leku museum.
Garden View Suite
Suite with garden-facing outlook and separate living room. Belle Époque-inspired décor with contemporary details. Can be connected with additional bedrooms for family or group stays.
Junior Suite
Spacious suite with a separate living area. Contemporary Belle Époque decoration with marble fireplaces, glass lamps, and velvet turquoise armchairs in shades of grey, beige, and green. Oversized marble bathroom.
Multi Bedroom Suite
For families or groups requiring more space: connecting suite configurations ranging from 2 to 5 bedrooms. Contact the reservations team directly for availability and pricing.
Premium River View Room
The most desirable standard room category — faces the Urumea River with views toward the Kursaal and, in the distance, the Cantabrian Sea. Same Belle Époque-inspired interiors with marble bathrooms and rain-effect showers. Worth requesting a high floor for the full panorama.
River View Suite
Suite with direct Urumea River views and a generous separate living room. Same rich Belle Époque-inspired palette with contemporary furnishings. A strong choice for longer stays or anyone wanting extra space with one of the hotel's best outlooks.
Royal Suite
Three Royal Suites, each featuring a majestic oval-shaped living room with unparalleled city views. Timeless crown moulding, contemporary photography, king-size Luxury Collection bed, and a sprawling marble bathroom.
Royal Terrace Suite
The hotel's crown jewel: a rooftop suite with expansive private terraces offering majestic river views. Grand oval-shaped living room, crown moulding, 55-inch flat-screen TV, work desk, and a king-size Luxury Collection bed in the master bedroom. Oversized marble bathroom. This is the suite for milestone occasions.
Terrace Suite
One of the hotel's top-tier offerings: a furnished private terrace with panoramic views of the river, sea, and Kursaal Congress Centre. Separate living room with crown moulding and contemporary photographs. 55-inch flat-screen TV, work desk, and king-size Luxury Collection bed.
The Property
Eat & Drink
6 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Complimentary bicycle rental available at the hotel, ideal for cycling the coastal paths and promenades around La Concha and Zurriola beaches. Ask the concierge for recommended routes.
Guests staying in the Eduardo Chillida Suite receive complimentary tickets to the Chillida Leku museum — a permanent outdoor sculpture park created by the legendary Basque artist Eduardo Chillida.
The hotel is the epicenter of the San Sebastian International Film Festival every September. Stars and filmmakers from around the world converge on the property, making it one of the most atmospheric times to stay — if you can get a room.
State-of-the-art Technogym fitness center with cardiovascular equipment, ellipticals, exercise bikes, strength training, and weight machines. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ground-floor shop stocking hard-to-find local gourmet products, unique Basque and Rioja wines, rare spices, and kitchenware. Also carries perfumes, bags, illustrations, and hand-painted crockery.
Daily cooking classes at the on-site MIMO culinary school covering modern techniques and traditional Basque cuisine. Also available as private events with leading local chefs.
Guided gastronomic tours of the Basque region led by expert local guides. Combines spectacular scenery with culinary insights into the region's food culture.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
On-site business center with computer access. Open to all hotel guests.
Multiple function rooms including the Ibaia ballroom (suitable for up to 350 in theatre setup), Elkano ballroom, Easo, Zubia, and Elcano meeting rooms. Suitable for weddings, conferences, and private events.
Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Marriott Bonvoy members receive complimentary in-room internet when booking direct.
On-site library for guest use.
The hotel is bordered by gardens and a riverside promenade. Outdoor terrace used for events, Sunday brunch, and The Gallery restaurant.
Pets welcome. One dog per room allowed (vaccination certificate required). Non-refundable pet fee: €100 per stay. Pets not permitted in F&B areas.
Complimentary bicycle rental for guests. Ideal for exploring the coastal paths and promenades.
The hotel does not have an on-site swimming pool.
Daily housekeeping and evening turndown service.
Room service available around the clock.
Bilingual concierge team certified by Les Clefs d'Or — the international concierge society. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Can arrange airport transfers, babysitting, in-room floral arrangements, restaurant reservations, and bespoke local experiences.
Ground-floor specialty shop with local gourmet products, Basque wines, rare spices, perfumes, artisan crafts, and kitchenware.
Convenient on-site parking at the Okendo Telpark garage. €59.10 per day. EV charging stations available.
Airport shuttle service to San Sebastián Airport (EAS, 24 km, €115 one-way), Biarritz Airport (BIQ, 50 km, €250 one-way), and Bilbao Airport (BIO, 100 km, €330 one-way). Reservation required.
Electric vehicle charging station available on-site (subject to availability).
On-site spa offering massages, facials, body scrubs and wraps. Appointment required.
Technogym-equipped gym open 24/7. Includes cardiovascular equipment, ellipticals, exercise bikes, strength equipment, and weight machines.
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