Big news from Spain today: The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, has reopened the historic Hotel Maria Cristina in San Sebastian following a $25 million restoration.
The renovation, which was completed in time for the hotel's 100th anniversary this month, is part of a larger strategy to invest in the restoration of Starwood's Luxury Collection properties. The reopening of Hotel Maria Cristina follows the Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville, which underwent a multi-million dollar refurbishment earlier this year. The restored Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris and The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice, will debut in 2013.
Opened in July 1912 by a visit from the queen herself, Hotel Maria Cristina was built during the Belle Époque, a time when haute couture was still burgeoning and there was a fluid emphasis on Art Nouveau. We hear the restoration of the hotel brings those values back to the forefront. The hotel has 107 guest rooms and 29 suites with plenty of Art Nouveau detailing.
And foodies will be happy, too: The hotel is also launching Tse Yang, a haute cuisine Chinese restaurant first established 15 years ago in Madrid, then in Geneva. Signature dishes include lobster mushi, Peking roast duck and dim sum. And Easo Restaurant focuses on local Basque, international and organic dishes, (with impressive views of the Urumea River and Victoria Eugenia Theatre Square, we hear). The bar, Dry San Sebastian, a joint collaboration between Hotel Maria Cristina and the Dry Martini Group, has also been renovated. Cool detail: The bar was inspired by legendary actress Bette Davis and features art that pays tribute to the San Sebastian Film Festival. Dry San Sebastian offers live musical performances each evening.
The Hotel Maria Cristina is located at Paseo Republica Argentina, 4 in San Sebastian. For more information, visit www.theluxurycollection.com/mariacristina.