Exclusive Stays that give a new lease of life to castles, estates and historic stations

In Spain you can sleep in a thousand-year-old castle, stay in a train station transformed into an elegant hotel, or enjoy a Mallorcan estate that still preserves its ancient tower, chapel and oven. This year’s (2025) Michelin Key Hotels guide features accommodations with unmistakable charm, where heritage and modernity blend seamlessly to create one-of-a-kind experiences in exceptional destinations. Canfranc Estación, Royal Hideaway Hotel (Aragón). Nestled in the heart of the Pyrenees, the former Canfranc International Station has been transformed into a luxury 104-room hotel. With a contemporary-classic style, a spa with a pool and three restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Canfranc Express, this hotel offers an exceptional experience, honoured with two Michelin Keys. A remarkable blend of history, gourmet cuisine and breathtaking snowy views. Castle of Buen Amor (Castile and León). Just a few kilometres from Salamanca, this stunning 11th-century castle stands proudly as a boutique hotel, retaining its authentic fortress charm. With 40 rooms nestled among vineyards and gardens, it offers the unique experience of sleeping within walls that have been lived in by Catholic Monarchs. Its restaurant is housed in a vaulted stone room and serves cuisine elaborated using local produce. A Michelin Key acknowledges the exceptional value of this secluded, majestic and authentically charming hotel.

Set within a 116-hectare pasture and surrounded by holm oaks, cork oaks, pines, vineyards and almond trees, the Posada Real Castillo del Buen Amor is a 15th-century castle-palace built atop an 11th-century fortress © Ruralka Hotels

Hotel Puntagrande (Canary Islands). On the remote island of El Hierro, this intimate 5-room hotel was recognised in 1984 by the Guinness World Records as the world’s smallest hotel. Perched on a lava outcrop that extends into the Atlantic, it offers an evocative experience of sleeping as if aboard a ship. With nautical-style interiors, antique furnishings and oozing a cosy vibe, Puntagrande is an elegant Michelin Key retreat. La Torre del Visco (Aragon). In the province of Teruel, in a secluded setting near Valderrobres, this 15th-century country house was lovingly restored three decades ago by a couple from Madrid. Offering 12 romantic rooms with fireplaces and cosy reading corners, it also has activities such as olive oil tastings, horseback riding and cycling tours. Its restaurant embraces a farm-to-table philosophy, while the starry night sky rounds out an unforgettable experience. A Michelin Key is a testament to its authentic character. Son Bunyola Hotel & Villas (Balearic Islands). In the Tramuntana Mountain Range, Richard Branson revived this 16th-century estate in 2023, following decades of speculation. With 42 rooms and over 500 hectares (1,300 acres) of olive groves alongside UNESCO-protected coastline, the estate has a 13th-century tower, a chapel transformed into a restaurant and a spa housed in a historic oven. Its understated design and Mallorcan craftsmanship define the style of this historic Michelin Key hotel.