The legendary Luxury Collection has two five-star properties in Spain that are getting major makeovers this spring: the Hotel Alfonso XIII (below) in Seville and the Hotel Maria Cristina (above) in San Sebastian. Ernest Hemingway, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy and Sofia Loren were regulars at the Alfonso XIII, while the Maria Cristina played host to the likes of Coco Chanel, Bette Davis, Gregory Peck, Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall and more. The two projects are part of The Luxury Collection’s ambitious plans for 2012, which also include new openings in Australia, Asia, India, Indonesia, and Thailand.

The Hotel Alfonso XIII will officially re-open on March 14 following a 10-month, $30 million restoration focused on infrastructure, interior design and creation of new spaces. Highlights include 151 fully refurbished rooms categorized as “Moorish,” “Castillian,” and “Andalusian." The famous American Bar will be re-created based on its original art deco design and The Bodega Alfonso, a contemporary tapas bar as well as a Moorish-inspired restaurant, The Pool, surrounded by gardens will be open.

The Hotel Maria Cristina, built in 1912 and located in San Sebastian’s historic city center and overlooking the Urumea River, will re-open on June 30. It features 108 rooms and 28 luxury suites, each devoted to the opulent style of the Belle Époque. It will also feature the Vietnamese Restaurant, Café Saigo, as well as the acclaimed Easo Restaurant and Gritti Bar, the place to see and be seen in San Sebastian. The Maria Cristina has also become the hotel of choice for chic travelers visiting the famed Bilbao museum designed by Frank Gehry.


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