San Sebastian It is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. Among its attractions are The Ensanche; the most elegant and commercial area; its beaches such as La Concha, Zurriola and Ondarreta, escorted by the Comb of the Wind of Chillida; the Kursaal Center, a modernist building by Rafael Moneo; the Monte Igueldo Funicular; and the church of Nuestra Señora del Coro, on the main street. Furthermore, every September, thousands of film stars land in San Sebastián for its Film Festival, with great international prestige. Among the well-known faces that have walked this red carpet is Robert de Niro. It is very possible that due to its architectural and natural charms and its excellent gastronomy, the protagonist of The Irish has fallen in love with San Sebastián, the place where the Nobu hotelchain of which the actor is a partner.
© Nobu San SebastianIn the city of San Sebastian we can find accommodation that knows how to combine luxury with a serene atmosphere: the Nobu hotel. Formerly, it housed the Vista Eider Palace, a name that refers to its privileged views of La Concha Bay, framed by the Igeldo and Urgull mountains and with the island of Santa Clara right in the middle. Furthermore, this place, designed by the illustrious neo-Renaissance architect Francisco Urocal (who also created the Victoria Eugenia theater and Plaza de Toros de Sevilla), is located just a few steps from the Miramar Palace, summer residence of Queen María Cristina in the 19th century.
© Nobu San SebastianThe façade of the Nobu hotel is a treasure from the Belle Epoqué that makes everyone who sees it transported back in time. Through the elements of the exterior architecture, the hotel’s historical past has been preserved. An original essence that is combined with Japanese elements and the philosophy that characterizes Nobu hotels, which have spaces dominated by elegance and sophistication.
© Nobu San SebastianAs soon as the client steps into the hotel, they feel that perfect symbiosis. The first stop of this fascinating experience is the hall, which is the space where the transition is made between the French façade and the Japanese concept of Nobu. The architect and interior designer Tomás Alía, creator of the Caramba studio and winner of the Gold Medal for Fine Arts, Extraordinary Award of Casa Decor 2019, Ambassador of Talavera Ceramics, 2016 Interior Design Trend Award, among other awards. He has developed the idea of the hall based on the Japanese Tori porticos, in which light prevails, transporting the visitor to a Zen and almost spiritual atmosphere, a perfect atmosphere to achieve the long-awaited disconnection from the holiday season.
© Nobu San SebastianWithout a doubt, to start your stay in the best way, a good breakfast is necessary. Beyond the gastronomic delicacies that can be tasted, the Nobu hotel makes this morning moment become an unforgettable experience, since the breakfast area has panoramic views of the sea, thus achieving a feeling of connection with the beach of the Conch.
© Nobu San SebastianWe continue discovering the common spaces when we come across the stairs, made of wood and microcement, which, in addition to giving lightness and a homogeneous effect, have a large scroll that unfolds along the hallway and tells a Japanese story about ink.
© Nobu San SebastianThe 17 rooms of the Nobu hotel, which also maintain French elements such as double-height ceilings and paneling, offer guests comfort and elegance through wood and large rugs as protagonists. Another of the most curious corners of the suites, with views of the sea, is their dressing room, which imitates a music box.
© Nobu San SebastianWhen the summer season arrives, the Nobu hotel has a gem that is a must-see, the rooftop, where the glass pool facing the sea draws special attention, and which also has access to the gym and wellness service.
Nobu, synonymous with haute cuisine
San Sebastián has the prestige of being one of the best gastronomic destinations and one of the cities with the most Michelin Stars per square meter in the world. At the helm of the Nobu kitchen we can find chef Óscar Santos, trained in hospitality and tourism at the school in Lago Madrid, his hometown, and who also has deep knowledge of food theories and philosophy. Its culinary concept is based on traditional cuisine in which ingredients from the sea play a fundamental role.
© Nobu San SebastianÓscar Santos has an extensive professional career, since, after working in various places in Spain, he had the opportunity to move around different parts of the international geography such as the United Kingdom, Morocco, Indonesia and Qatar. Wherever he has gone he has worked hand in hand with colleagues with Michelin Stars, who have taught him rigor, respect and discipline. Among his teachers is chef Herve, one of Nobu World Wide’s corporate chefs, with whom he has shared the kitchen at Nobu Shoreditch and Nobu Marbella.
© Nobu San SebastianThe story of Nobu
Nobu hotels are the perfect combination of modernity, luxury and minimalist Japanese tradition. Led by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, actor Robert de Niro and Meir Teper, the growth of Nobu, present on five continents, is due to its good service, image and reputation.
© Nobu San SebastianTo know the origins of Nobu, we must go back to the 1980s, when Robert de Niro fell in love with the Sushi restaurant (Nobu) that Matsushima had in Los Angeles. Four years later, the actor managed to get Nobu to open another location in Manhattan. It quickly gained great popularity, both nationally and internationally. Encouraged by the success of the restaurant, Nobu Hospitality was born, following the essence of the original restaurant whose objective was to create a memorable experience that would last over time. In 2009, hospitality gurus Trevor Horwell and Struan Mckenzie began leading the strategic focus turning Nobu Hotels & Residences into the hospitality powerhouse it is today.
