Take a nostalgic walk down memory lane toward the best movies of yesteryear. Once home to San Sebastián’s largest cinema, the Zinema7 Hotel blends its cinematic roots with modern comforts, making it a haven for film lovers and travelers alike. This unique hotel celebrates the city’s deep connection to the silver screen, with every suite, room, and shared space paying homage to the stars who have graced the Donostia Zinemaldi International Film Festival (San Sebastián International Film Festival).
Located in the peaceful Amara neighborhood, Zinema7 Hotel offers a perfect balance of calm and convenience. Just a 15-minute walk along the scenic riverbank from the train station, the hotel provides easy access to San Sebastian’s most beloved sights. Whether you’re headed to the Cathedral, La Concha Beach, or the charming Old Quarter, the journey reveals glimpses of the city’s vibrant character and natural beauty.
Getting around couldn’t be easier, as multiple buses and trams stop in front of the hotel. Within steps, you’ll find a small grocery store, a cozy bookstore, and various local eateries serving delicious Basque specialties. A coffee shop with an excellent breakfast buffet is attached to the hotel. Whether starting your day with a coffee or winding down with pintxos, everything you need is close.
Location
San Sebastián, Spain – Photo Credit Pablo Axpe Zinema7-Hotel
A one-hour flight or a 5-hour train from Madrid will take you to San Sebastián, Spain. This coastal city is a gourmand’s dream, and it is located in the Basque Country in northern Spain. With multiple Michelin-starred restaurants and abundant pintxos bars, you will love visiting this city on the coast of the Bay of Biscay. This area is well known for its t-bone steaks (txuletas), seafood, wine, and unique language and culture.
We chose this hotel because of its proximity to the bus and train station and reasonable price. Just a fifteen-minute walk along the river, you can also catch a few different bus lines that will leave you right in front of the hotel. We got a rechargeable bus pass that made exploring the city and neighboring towns easy.
Room Features
Twin Room – Photo Credit: Pablo Axpe Zinema7-Hotel
Our twin room was mid-size, with two single beds and a large bathroom with a soaker tub—great for relaxing after a long day of walking and exploring the city. The room also had a hairdryer, small safe, mini-fridge, Nespresso Coffee maker, and TV with a CD player. You could borrow CDs in the lending library and lounge, and there was a small fitness center.
Room Rates
As with any hotel in Europe, the price varies greatly. In the low season (January-March), it can be as low as $100 USD a night; in the high season (July and August ), it is $440. For shoulder seasons (April-June and October-November), expect to pay $200 USD per night. During the international film festival, the prices will rise to $300 USD (somewhat reasonable for Europe).
There are 107 rooms in total, including suites and accessible rooms. Single, double, and twin rooms are in a similar price range if booked well enough in advance. The Hitchcock Suite and family suites are priced higher—$586 USD (but you will get more room and a terrace).
Breakfast is €15/person and parking is available for €15/day.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com.
Special Features
Book & film lending library & Lounge Photo Credit: Pablo Axpe Zinema7-Hotel
What sets this hotel apart is its focus on movies. The beautiful lounge is a lending library of films and books. You can borrow one of hundreds of movies and enjoy it in the comfort of your room, or you can read any number of books on film stars, directors, or the cinematic art form. The lounge is spacious and comfortable, and open 24/7.
Each room is named after a movie star or director who has attended the Donostia Zinemaldi International Film Festival (San Sebastián International Film Festival). The celebrities include American, European, and other international stars. The lobby has a statue of Alfred Hitchcock, perfect for the perfect Instagram post. The props throughout the hotel make this stay memorable.
Dining Options
Breakfast buffet Photo Credit: Pablo Axpe Zinema7-Hotel
You can add a breakfast buffet for €15/person a day. It is extensive and includes local meats, cheeses, fresh Nespresso coffee, fruits, granola, and pastries. There is also a cafe adjacent to the lobby where you can pick up sandwiches or a light lunch. Across the street, there is a local chicken place, a small grocery store, and other restaurants and bars within easy walking distance.
Casa Julián offers the best T-bone steak you’ll ever have. Located 20 minutes away in the scenic town of Tolosa, these huge T-bone steaks are cooked on a charcoal grill with seasonal veggies—worth every penny!
Devour Pintxos Tour—To get a real taste of Basque food, take a guided pintxos (tapas) tour. Our tour guide provided history lessons (architecture, politics, art, etc.) and took us to numerous pintxos bars for Txakoli (pronounced chacolí), a light sparkling wine.
Mimo Experience – perhaps you prefer to learn how to make a local dish. Consider taking a cooking class and learning how to make traditional Basque dishes.
Why Visit San Sebastion
La Concha Beach in San Sebastian, Spain Photo Credit: Margarita Ibbott via DownshiftingPRO
San Sebastián, or Donostia in Basque, is a captivating blend of natural beauty, rich culture, and culinary excellence. Known for its iconic La Concha Beach and mild coastal climate, it’s a year-round destination perfect for seaside strolls or exploring its vibrant Old Quarter. The lush Basque countryside offers hiking, charming villages, and vineyards to explore just outside the city.
Food lovers will enjoy the city’s gastronomic appeal, from its casual pintxos bars to world-renowned Michelin-starred restaurants. Visiting during the San Sebastián International Film Festival in September adds a cultural highlight. Its proximity to the French border makes it an excellent base for exploring Spain and France.
Overall Experience
Zinema7 Hotel in San Sebastián, Spain Photo Credit: Margarita Ibbott via DownshiftingPRO
This was a solid four-star stay. The beds were very comfortable, the bathroom was spacious (by European standards), and the overall cinematic theme was a fun twist to otherwise dull hotel decor. The cost of our stay was reasonable, and it was easy to make a reservation directly with the hotel – although you can find it on most booking sites.
The location is excellent, but walking to the Kursaal conference center was a bit far. However, its proximity to the bus and train station is ideal. We felt very safe walking around late at night, and the public transit service was exceptional. I highly recommend the Zinema7 Hotel in San Sebastián, Spain.
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