Son Vell

One of Madrid’s newest boutique hotels, set among noble residences and grand embassies, the Hotel Urso has quickly become one of the hottest and trendiest places to lay your head.

Housed in an early 20th-century palace, its neoclassical style gives off an air of sophistication, while its well-appointed interiors are comfortable and stylish.

Its six categories of guest rooms and suites range in size, bed type and views, yet all feature contemporary Scandi-chic-style décor and calming tones.

Wake up to breakfast each morning in the light-filled conservatory, decorated in Oriental-inspired 18th century wallpaper and bamboo plants. When you’re ready to head out and explore, you’ll find sites such as the Madrid History Museum, the National Museum of Romanticism and the vast Retiro Park, located close by.

Wind down after your day in the plush wood-panelled spa, offering a variety of massages and specialised skincare treatments. And when you’re fully relaxed, head to the sleek Urso Bar for cocktails and gourmet Spanish tapas, made from ingredients sourced at the local Mercado de Barceló. The hotel restaurant, ½ Ración, which means ‘half portion’ offers cuisine based on the traditional Madridian food.

This innovative luxury 12-roomed boutique hotel is located in the Casa Palacio Castelar in the heart of the historic centre of Seville near the Plaza Nueva and next to the emblematic Bullring La Maestranza. One of the main concerns of the Mercer group is the conservation of the heritage and culture of the buildings of all of their hotels. The integration of the old and the new is one of their hallmarks.

Mercer Sevilla boasts a minimalist and refined atmosphere in a typical Andalusian setting. Behind the elegant classic façade, you’ll find a patio and a beautiful courtyard with a marble floor, which is covered by a spectacular dome bathing the space with natural light. There’s also the majestic original staircase from the Casa Palacio Castelar. María Luisa gastronomic restaurant and FIZZ cocktail bar can be found around the Andalusian-style patio.

Head to the rooftop and you’ll find a charming terrace, with a pool and a solarium. This oasis of peace is the perfect place from which to enjoy a drink while watching the sunset over the picturesque Arenal District.

In the beautiful village of Deia, a longstanding muse for poets, artists and musicians, and cradled by the Tramuntana Mountains, La Residencia is one of Spain’s finest hotels. Wonderfully secluded among olive and citrus groves, close to the sea, it is the ultimate Mallorcan hideaway.

67 rooms and suites span two lovingly restored manor house from the 16th and 17th centuries, each with understated antiques, rich fabrics and paintings by local artists. All the rooms offer views out to the mountains and surroundings gardens.

For the utmost privacy, there is villa with four bedrooms and its own swimming pool.

Guests are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to dining, with the acclaimed El Olivo serving carefully created local dishes in a most elegant of settings. There’s also the relaxed Cafe Miro bistro and bar, great for tapas and cocktails in the evening, and a restaurant by one of La Residencia’s fabulous swimming pools.

There is an abundance of opportunities to explore this wonderful corner of the island, with boat cruises touring the coast, Vespas for hire, cultural tours into the village and beyond, art classes and hikes. Guests can also relax at the beach or unwind back at the resort in the award-winning spa, perhaps with yoga and tai chi lessons.

A bustling city full of art and culture, and a prime location by the sea, Barcelona really does have the best of both worlds. Overlooking Port Olympic and out across the Mediterranean, Hotel Arts Barcelona is the perfect place to experience everything this vibrant city has to offer.

The hotel was built to coincide with the 1992 Olympic Games and is an impressive feat of engineering, with 44 storeys of blue glass and exposed steel. A height advantage means that each of the 483 rooms and suites comes with spectacular sea or city views.

Head to the terraced gardens and outdoor pool, and you’ll find yourself side by side with Frank Gehry’s 52m golden fish sculpture that twinkles in a multitude of shades as the sun moves through the sky.

For some serious rest and relaxation, be sure to visit the 43rd-floor spa with its hydrotherapy pools, sauna, steam room and treatment rooms. There is also a fully equipped gym.

Barcelona is well known for having its finger on the culinary pulse and the hotel has its own two Michelin-starred restaurant. Enoteca serves innovative cuisine inspired by the food and produce of the Mediterranean with an emphasis on seafood. The hotel has four other restaurants and a bar.