A Renaissance palace transformed into a sophisticated hotel with immaculate rooms and discreet service, Hotel Rector ticks all the ‘boutique’ boxes. But although this handsome gem has been gathering accolades for 25 years, it doesn’t rest on its laurels – interiors behind its golden sandstone facade are redecorated regularly. A grand staircase sweeps up to 13 guest rooms, all cool cream walls and sleek blonde parquet floors. There’s embroidered linen on the beds, beautiful stained-glass in the vast lobby and an air of serenity everywhere. We're yet to visit in person but those who have are full of praise.
Staff are professional and attentive – pouring coffee at the excellent breakfast and G&Ts in the tranquil bar. For other food and drink desires, they give personal suggestions. On the edge of the old wall, the hotel is a short walk from the city’s must-sees, like the 2 cathedrals, the Old University and the exquisite Plaza Mayor. Indeed, for lovers of culture and architecture, Salamanca and this sublime hotel are a perfect pairing.
Highs
- Salamanca itself: a Unesco site, with intricate gold sandstone palaces and plazas to explore, all magically floodlit at night
- Excellent restaurants nearby, everything from tapas to fine dining
- Just 13 peaceful rooms, with bathrobes and Nespressos
- A superb collection of art and history books in the lobby
- From birthday cakes to car washes, staff's sweet surprise gestures delight their guests
Lows
- No restaurant for lunch/dinner, and the minibars are snack-free
- Although families are welcome, it's not ideal for kids
- No pool or gym
Best time to go
Hotel Rector is open all year and Salamanca is a year-round destination. Spring (April – May) is mild but there is often rain, so bring an umbrella. June and September are pleasantly warm; the summer months of July and August can get very hot (but there are fewer students about). October can be chilly but clear. Winter (November to March), the city is cold – it rarely snows but packing coats and cardies is a good idea.
Our top tips
For a break from Salamanca's surfeit of ancient monuments, head to the Museum of Automation – it houses a collection of more than 200 classic cars, including one owned by Franco.
- Boutique Hotel
- 13 rooms
- Breakfast included, restaurants nearby
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
It's hard to pick a favourite room at Hotel Rector – they all possess an air of understated elegance. Perhaps the dramatic Suite Deluxe has the edge, as it’s the most spacious, with an adjoining sofa lounge. Romantic couples will love the sumptuous bed, its velvet Chesterfield headboard set in fabulous wood panelling. Indeed, the beds are a big draw here – guests consistently rave about their superior comfort.
Classic and Deluxe rooms have small sitting areas within the bedroom – stuffed armchairs and mahogany desks. Classic rooms and the Junior Suites (which have large living rooms) face the hotel's interior courtyard and may not be as bright but they are very quiet; Deluxe rooms have views of the old town. Throughout, windows are double-glazed with floor-length curtains so a peaceful night’s sleep is guaranteed.
Bathrooms are splendidly marbled affairs, with proper deep tubs and (aah!) underfloor heating. Bvlgari toiletries and fresh-cut flowers add a classy touch.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is a treat: tables are laid with white linen and silver; coffee, tea and fresh-pressed juice are brought to you by friendly servers. The buffet table is laden with cereal, yogurt, fruit and Spanish specialties like Iberico ham and custard tarts. Eggs can be cooked to order.
Like most Spanish cities now, Salamanca is a mix of old-school tapas joints and nueva cocina upstarts. Hotel staff are a mine of great restaurant recommendations, including lunch with the locals at Vinodiario tapas bar and the family-run Valencia near the Plaza Mayor. Be sure to dine at La Hoja21 one evening – it’s modern, minimalist and made for foodies.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Coffee maker
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Stroll around the expansive 18th-Century Plaza Mayor. Shops and cafes line its beautiful sandstone Baroque buildings and it’s magically lit at night, with buskers creating a lively ambiance
- Search for the Frog in the Skull, one of the arcane carvings of ‘plateresque’ that adorn the impressive 12th-Century Old University – it’s the third oldest in the world
- Wander through the stellar collection of painting, sculpture and ceramics at Casa Lis, a palace transformed into the Museo Art Nouveau y Deco – the aquamarine glass facada is dazzling
- Climb the stone towers of the Vejer y Nueva Cathedrals, a side-by-side blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture – the battlements have panoramic views over the city
- Count the 300 stone shells that decorate the charming Casa de las Conchas, symbolising the years since the 1st-Century Roman Bridge was built to span the Tormes River
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Shopping / markets
- Walking
Kids
Children are welcome, although the hotel is adult-oriented.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
There are 2 Classic rooms in a private corridor that can be connected for families to make a Family Room. And the Junior Suite comes with two bedrooms and a living room.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Hotel Rector is in central Salamanca, close to the old town and 5-15 mins' walk from the major monuments.
By Air:
The nearest international airport is Madrid (225km), from where it is 2 hrs 15 by road. Alternatively, Valladolid airport (130km, or 1hr 20 by road) has limited domestic flight connections. You'll probably want to hire a car to get here; alternatively the hotel offers transfers. There is parking in the reserved garage or, if it’s full, in front of the hotel.
By Train:
It's also easy to travel by train from Madrid (2hrs 30, 10 departures per day). The hotel is 5 mins' walk from the train station.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Madrid 225.0 km
- Valladolid 130.0 km VLL
Other:
- Beach 335.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km