One Shot Tabakalera House

For nearly a century, one of San Sebastián’s larges plots of land was occupied by a riverside tobacco factory. When the industry was privatized, the factory closed, and the Basque government snapped up the property with the plans to open a cultural center. Today, this landmark building has been cleverly redesigned — a prism-like glass roof now encloses the large interior courtyard, lending the structure a striking new silhouette. Today this old tobacco factory is the Tabakalera International Center for Contemporary Culture — and the One Shot Tabakalera House boutique hotel.

Befitting its unique location, the hotel’s aesthetic blends industrial cool with art gallery–style elegance: lots of glass and concrete, large windows, high ceilings, exposed pipes, futuristic light fixtures, and an abstract sculpture creeping up the white walls behind reception. Rooms are minimalist, with blonde wood paneling, built-in furniture, leather accents, and pops of turquoise and ruby red. Larger rooms come with modern four-poster beds and free-standing tubs; duplex rooms have upper-level living rooms with plush sofas and writing desks. Rotating art exhibitions enliven the hotel’s common spaces — even the breakfast area has a street art theme — and the city’s famous Old Town is just a short stroll away.