Hotel Iturregi

Eating

Breakfast is served leisurely; there’s no rush in the morning. You can eat in the airy breakfast room, where big windows frame those hypnotic views, or out on the terrace with the sun for company. Everything is brought to you: jugs of freshly squeezed orange juice, yoghurt mixed with fruit and served in cocktail glasses, baskets of hot patisserie, plates of ham and cheese, and eggs from the neighbouring farm, cooked to order.

During the day there’s a small room-service menu - gazpacho, salads, cheese and ham sandwiches. Sandwiches are also served on the swimming pool terrace, and there’s an honesty bar in the sitting room from which to help yourself.

Staff know all the local restaurants and will book tables and provide directions. You can get lost in the hills behind and eat earthy Basque food with the locals at Bedua, a small rustic restaurant most tourists can’t find - a must one night. Alternatively, head into Getaria for a handful of good restaurants. Best of all is Elkano, which stands on the main road through town; expect fabulous seafood cooked to perfection. If you want something simpler, drop down to the waterside for a couple of good fish restaurants with terraces at the front. Getaria has a small port and fish comes straight off the boats. The town is famous for its grilled sardines.

San Sebastián is fairly close, about 30 minutes away by car. It takes its food extremely seriously and 3 of its restaurants have 3 Michelin stars, but the Old Town is littered with pintxos bars (tapas with attitude and finesse). If you want great food, go for the former; if you want a great night out, go for the latter.