Akelarre Relais & Châteaux

The BEST HOTEL stay EVER! Everything to the perfection!! Everything extremely well taken care of and even to the last and most minor detail! Everyone knew our name and greeted us every time with a big smile. The restaurant (the breakfast/dinner one) was just perfect!

A Truly Enchanting Stay at Hotel Akelarre From the moment we arrived, Hotel Akelarre exceeded every expectation with its understated luxury, breathtaking views, and thoughtful touches at every corner. Nestled serenely on a hillside overlooking the Bay of Biscay, the hotel exudes a quiet elegance that instantly puts you at ease. The design is a seamless blend of modern minimalism and warm natural textures, offering a soothing space that feels both refined and deeply connected to the surrounding landscape. One of the unexpected highlights of our stay was a peaceful morning walk along a nearby stretch of the Camino de Santiago - a gentle and soulful reminder of the region’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage. The air was crisp, the paths quiet, and the scenery utterly rejuvenating. A special shout-out goes to Kevin at the concierge, who was nothing short of exceptional. He is a rare gem - attentive, sincere, incredibly well-informed, and genuinely warm. Every recommendation he gave, from scenic walks to hidden local gems, was spot-on. His friendly yet professional demeanor added a wonderful personal touch to our stay and made us feel truly cared for. Breakfast at Akelarre deserves its own round of applause. The service was impeccable - gracious, efficient, and warm. The team worked seamlessly to create a welcoming, unhurried start to the day. And the selection? Simply outstanding. Every item was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor, but the truffle egg was a revelation - rich, delicate, and perfectly balanced. It was the kind of breakfast you remember long after the last bite. Hotel Akelarre is more than a place to stay - it’s a space to breathe, to savour, and to be gently inspired. We left feeling nourished in every way, and we can’t wait to return.

This hotel is horrific and should never be stayed at as they lie habitually. At a $5000 stay cost for two nights I expected a baseline of competent service but was shocked by the lying. We prepaid for a dairy farm tour which was confirmed multiple times in writing. When the hotel booked guide and driver didn’t show up they said there was an accident at the farm and the tour couldn’t happen. Then later they blamed us for not confirming the tour. When confronted with email evidence that the tour was indeed confirmed in writing and there was no problem at the dairy farm they said they would refund one full night of the stay as compensation. I put this in an email to them while still at the hotel while physically with the duty manager and was told “do not worry, we will take care of this for you and contact Expedia”. 3 days later I receive an email saying the compensation they promised was too much but next time I come back I will receive “preferred” conditions.