San Sebastian, SpainAmara Berri
Zinema7 Hotel
Film-festival cinema hotel
Amara Berri San Sebastian, Spain
Opened
2009
Price
$$
Rated for
Design Social LocalOutside the door
The house
SadeFilm-festival cinema hotel
The city's film festival defines the stay. Guests can watch thousands of classic titles or sit in salvaged cinema seats.
What it’s good at
Listed
Recycled film reels suspend from ceilings beside large-format portraits of movie stars.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler.
the large-format film-star portraits in the guest rooms are only the most conspicuous example — locals will remember that one of the city’s iconic golden-age cinemas once stood on this very site.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Amara is a quiet residential quarter, where a riverside promenade leads down toward the old town and the bay.
1 of 4
The rooms
Each room takes its name from a visiting film icon, with large portraits above the bed and dedicated DVD players.
The gym
The top-floor fitness room sits under angled attic ceilings, with cardio machines and free weights.
Restaurant
Bistroteka Zinema7
Bistroteka Zinema7 serves Basque cooking beside floor-to-ceiling street windows. High-backed booths line the space under cinema wall art.
Each of the breezily designed contemporary rooms is named after an actor or director, and photographs throughout the hotel are a roll-call of winners at the annual San Sebastián Film Festival.
How it began
Local cinema operator SADE built the property, keeping the number seven in the name to honor the Astoria's original screens.
San Sebastian
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.