Arrizul Congress Hotel

A recent addition to San Sebastian, the Arrizul Congress Hotel opened in 2017 in a classic, formerly residential building with decorative cornices. High floor-to-ceiling windows anchored between stone block columns allow lots of natural light to stream into the fresh and contemporary lobby, where ring-shaped lights are suspended over parquet floors in a lounge with tufted couches and retro orange chairs. During the renovation, stained-glass windows were found that are now displayed along the back wall. Around the corner, there's a glossy black-and-white reception desk and a pair of high-backed black chairs accompanied by a bar cart. Most guests are tourists, but given its proximity to the congress center, business travelers also make up some of the weekday guests here.

The hotel is located just east of the Urumea River in the Gros district, close to the Kursaal Congress Centre and Auditorium, which is a four-minute walk away. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and tapas joints nearby, and most of the city's top attractions are within walking distance. The Maria Cristina Bridge is an eight-minute walk, while the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Chorus and the San Telmo Museum are each about a 15-minute walk away (as is the base of Monte Urgull, though a climb to the top is another matter). Zurriola Beach is less than a 10-minute walk, and La Concha Beach is about a 12-minute walk away. The Gros train station is a three-minute walk from the hotel, and it's about a 25-minute drive to San Sebastian Airport, or about 40 minutes via bus that stops a four-minute walk from the hotel. 

The hotel's 46 guest rooms have a stylish modern look, with a sophisticated neutral palette and rich wood details throughout. Wood flooring and gold curtains add extra warmth, and accent walls with grain-stalk-print wallpaper is a focal point. Small Single Rooms have twin beds with wooden headboards and reading lamps, along with wardrobe closets and small white desks. Slightly larger Deluxe Double Rooms have double beds or two twin beds, plus seating areas with beige chairs. All the suites add private terraces furnished with comfortable patio chairs and tables. Most are sleek bi-level Duplex Suites, with staircases lined by glass railings that lead up to living room lofts with sofa beds. There's also a Congress Suite that has a large terrace with sun loungers. The contemporary bathrooms have bidets, square sinks, and walk-in rainfall showers with removable showerhead, plus hairdryers, bathrobes, and toiletries. Free Wi-Fi comes standard, along with wall-mounted 43-inch flat-screen TVs, laptop safes, electric kettles, and free minibars. 

Features are slim at this boutique property. There's no full restaurant or bar, but a continental breakfast buffet, with some hot options, is offered for a fee in a breakfast room with plenty of tables, exposed stone walls, and sleek black pendant lights. The lobby lounge has a large, reclaimed stained glass door that slides open to reveal a coffee corner, where guests can help themselves to free coffee and soft drinks for most of the day. While the hotel has a fitness room, it's tiny, and the space is awkwardly arranged in what feels like a staircase, with a few cardio machines, free weights, and weight trainers. It also has an adjacent shower room, but there's no spa on-site. Other amenities include meeting space, on-site bicycle rentals, and storage lockers for surf boards and beach gear. Parking costs extra, but Wi-Fi is free throughout.