Hotel Urso

The luxurious Cotton House Hotel is located in a stunning 19th century neoclassical building and was the former headquarters of the Cotton Textile Foundation. As well as paying homage to its past, there are plenty of contemporary Spanish design features to admire, so enjoy all the comforts of a modern hotel with a side helping of history. Sophisticated and chic, many of the hotel’s original features have been preserved including ornate dark wood and gold ceilings, hand-painted frescos, and ceramic tiles. The beautiful spiral staircase is a real feat of engineering; rather than rising from the ground, it is suspended from the upper floor. The decor is inspired by the colours of the cotton plant, so expect soft tones of white, black, red and sepia. All 83 rooms are bright and airy, and you can be assured of a good night’s sleep as you wrap yourself in the bed linen made, naturally, from the highest quality Egyptian cotton. In the afternoons, relax on the roof terrace or take a dip in the outdoor pool and enjoy the views of Gaudi’s iconic Sagrada Familia. When evening falls, dine on classic Mediterranean dishes at the hotel’s restaurant and be sure to try one of the exquisite cocktails at the bar. Barcelona is a city of such beauty and you’re perfectly situation to go exploring with the Passeig de Gràcia, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera and the Gothic Quarter are all within walking distance.

Located in the heart of the Costa Brava perched on a small peninsular in between two secluded bays, is Hostal de la Gavina. The pretty Sant Pol beach lies just in front of the hotel so you can enjoy the turquoise waters and rocky coastline that have made this part of Spain famous. 74 rooms and suites are impeccably styled with fine silk upholstery, Venetian glass lamps, marble bathrooms and antique furniture. For those wanting a little more privacy, the villa has two bedrooms, a kitchen, living room and a private yard. Seafood is brought in on local fishing boats and can be enjoyed at the hotel’s two restaurants. Guests can choose to dine by the poolside or at the romantic Candlelight Restaurant, surrounded by fragrant gardens. For when you want to sip a crisp glass of wine, head to the terrace and enjoy the views across the sparkling blue water. With both an outdoor seawater pool and an indoor pool, Jacuzzi and sauna there is ample opportunity to relax. For those wanting to explore the local area, the nearby coastal path is highly recommended.

Steeped in history, the Hotel Alfonso XIII was constructed by order of the King as luxury lodging for the international VIPs attending the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. This grand structure quickly became an emblem of the city centre and has been continuously used as a hotel until the present day, although Franco’s regime necessitated a name change to the Andalusian Palace while under his rule. To this day, you’ll find that it is the city centre’s only true, luxury property. Typically Andalusian in style, the hotel expresses the region’s mixed Moorish and Castilian founding influences with authentic and detailed features. Each of its 151 bedrooms including its 19 suites are unique in design, falling into three style categories: Andalusian, Moorish, and Castilian. Alongside its exalted, majestic architecture, Hotel Alfonso XIII is also notable for its large pool, which sits amidst lush gardens. This makes it a rare urban sanctuary and one of the only locations where being in Seville during the heat of high summer will be thoroughly enjoyable. By the pool you’ll find an al fresco restaurant that turns itself into a twinkling vision after dark and serves Spanish and international delicacies. You can also eat in the sumptuously-tiled gallery surrounding an arched interior courtyard where you can take your breakfast and coffee. If you fancy something truly epicurean, the atmospheric Ena tapas bar is manned by Michelin-starred chef Carles Abellán of Barcelona. Afterwards, discuss the highlights of your meal to the accompaniment of live piano music at Bar Americano. In terms of location, you’ll find that you really couldn’t be better placed to discover Seville. Hotel Alfonso XIII sits right on the edge of the old – pedestrianised – quarter, meaning that you can benefit from arriving to the hotel by car and walking five minutes to outstanding historic sites such as the Cathedral de Seville, the Alcazar, Puente de S. Telmo, and Plaza de Espana.

Eye-catching against the green of La Rioja’s hills, Hotel Marques De Riscal’s striking and innovative roof has been designed to reflect the precious liquid that’s produced in the celebrated adjoining winery of the same name. Created by architectural genius Frank Gehry, the roof resembles a sail in the wind. It’s stripes of titanium are coloured in shades of silver that represent a wine cup, gold for the cap of a bottle, and of course, red to embody the wine itself. Catch the hotel on any different day, and its hues will appear to have changed in the sun. With just 43 rooms divided between two wings connected by a bridge, a stay in this boutique hotel and winery will be an immersive experience. Due to the varying placements of the hotel’s huge windows, each room leaves a difference impression. When you’re not out sampling the delights of the region’s oldest winery, sit down to a meal in either of the hotel’s two restaurants, one boasting a Michelin star. As expected, the wine list is impressive and features collections which date all the way back to 1862. On a sunny day, there’s nothing more pleasant than enjoying a gourmet meal on the terrace and admiring the views of the distinctive countryside and the quaint town of Elciego. Should you fancy some indulgence, the Vinotherapy spa boasts a design-focused indoor pool and multitude of luxury treatments based on the grape. If you can bear the crowds, visit in Autumn to experience the full process of the grape harvest. Regardless of the season, you can look forward to wine tours, tastings, and pairings, as well as a profusion of exhilarating outdoor activities such as balloon rides, biking, and horse riding.