Palacio Bellas Artes: San Sebastián’s Historic Moving Picture House Reopens as a Luxury Hotel
Palacio Bellas Artes: San Sebastián’s Historic Moving Picture House Reopens as a Luxury Hotel
This year, San Sebastián will witness one of the most eagerly anticipated openings in recent decades: the Palacio Bellas Artes Hotel, housed in the historic Teatro Bellas Artes building — Spain’s first moving picture house, built in 1914 by architect Ramón Cortázar in the aesthetic style of the French Second Empire.
To adapt it for its new life as a hotel, a meticulous restoration of its façades was carried out in accordance with the Special Plan for the Protection of Urban and Built Heritage. The ashlar stonework has been cleaned and repaired, while cornices, balustrades, and wrought-iron railings have been recovered, bringing back the building’s former grandeur. After its interior was cleared, the space was reinterpreted with the utmost respect for its original layout and purpose, preserving its theatrical essence. Today, in this new narrative, the guest becomes a privileged spectator of an experience inspired by the seventh art. Guests enter the lobby through the former stage, passing beneath the proscenium arch (the threshold between stage and audience) to reach what was once the seating area of the auditorium — the place where dreams were projected.
The 81 rooms and common areas reveal a classic yet contemporary atmosphere: sophisticated, vibrant, and designed to immerse guests in art and emotion. The building’s past converses with its present in every detail, enveloping guests in an aura of glamour and refinement that reflects the care, mastery, and meticulous attention to detail invested in its interior design.
The Palacio Bellas Artes Hotel, owned by the Sociedad Anónima de Deportes y Espectáculos (which celebrated its centenary in 2025), will operate under the Curio Collection by Hilton brand. And that was no coincidence: Curio Collection is one of the most prestigious brands within the Hilton universe, being comprised of a global portfolio of extraordinary hotels carefully selected for their unique character and personality — designed to inspire curious travelers in search of authentic experiences. Those restless spirits will surely enjoy a stay worthy of the silver screen at Palacio Bellas Artes.
Palacio Bellas Artes Hotel of San Sebastián
Calle Prim 40, San Sebastián.
