VILLA MAGALEAN HOTEL & SPA

Between San Sebastián and Biarritz, just on the Spanish side of the border, is the Basque town of Hondarribia. It’s not a household name, not by a long shot, nor is it meant to be — the appeal of Villa Magalean rests, to a large extent, on its setting, in a port town that’s a long way from becoming a built-up resort. Well, that, and the fact that the hotel itself is something quite a bit more refined than what you’d ordinarily expect from an eight-room guest house by the marina where the fishing boats moor.

For one thing, it’s clear that Villa Magalean has seen some attention from a contemporary designer or two. The rooms stay true to the historical style of the house, but the color palette is focused, the furnishings are modern, and the fixtures, from the walk-in showers to the Marshall bluetooth bedside speakers, are right up to date. It is, in one way, the best of both worlds: boutique-hotel style and comfort combined with bed-and-breakfast atmosphere and charm. A small spa elevates the experience even further; so does the all-day restaurant, whose name, Mahasti Gastronomic Wine Bar, hints at its versatility.