Gems of Southern Spain

With Picasso and Dali among the names in its guestbook, you can be sure that a stay at The Westin Palace will be a highlight of any trip to Madrid. Built for Alfonso XIII’s wedding, the opulent hotel is beautifully styled with marble floors, original artwork and impressive design features. One of the most fascinating rooms is the Museum Bar with its collection of artefacts including photos of the inauguration, a list of employees, an old telephone, and Picasso’s signature. The rooms are full of old-world charm with mahogany furniture and rich fabrics and suites features furniture and textiles from the early 20th century. One of the hotel’s most stunning features is the huge stained glass dome, under which guests can dine at the restaurant. There is also a sushi bar which blends oriental and vintage Spanish styles, and a restaurant specialising in Chinese cuisine lavishly decorated with large paintings, a statue of Buddha and walls covered in gold damask. You might think green space is hard to come by in a city, but the charming rooftop terrace proves otherwise. As well as serving as a place for guests to enjoy a drink and take in the views, it also served as a kitchen garden and provides the chef with a bountiful supply of herbs and fruits. The hotel is ideally situated in the centre of the city in what is known as the ‘triangle of art’ due to its proximity to the city’s most prestigious museums.

Built on the site of a former palace, Villa Magna has plenty of history but that doesn’t mean it’s living in the past. Sleek design coupled with all the modern amenities you could want, make this a luxurious base from which to explore the city. The 150 rooms and suites are a mix of classic and contemporary and provide a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. A Nespresso coffee machine ensure you’re ready to take on Madrid. The hotel is located on Paseo Castellana, one of the longest and widest avenues, and you can access the Corte Ingles shopping mall from the ground floor. There are two restaurants, one serving traditional Spanish dishes with a twist, and the other specialising in Cantonese cuisine. No trip to Spain would be complete without sampling some tapas, and you can relax on the terrace and savour a selection of delicious morsels. Blankets and heaters ensure you can enjoy the atmosphere all year round.

Nestled in the heart of Madrid on Calle Barquillo, the Only You Boutique Hotel is a stylish and modern boutique hotel. Just moments from Paseo de Recoletos and the Chueca neighbourhood, you’re ideally situated to explore all this great city has to offer. A former 19th century palace, the hotel has been redesigned using a clean blue and white palette. That’s not to say it has forgotten its roots with traditional azulejo tiles dotted around and maps of old Madrid adorning the walls. High ceilings, huge potted trees in the lounge and rooms flooded with light make Only You a wonderful space in which to relax. The hotel has 125 rooms, individually designed with some featuring terraces that look out over the rooftops of Madrid. Guests are encouraged to make use of the public spaces and with a sophisticated bar and restaurant, often filled with locals, it’s easy to see why. The cocktail bar is located in the old library and the drinks list certainly makes for good reading. Food lovers won’t be left disappointed with a menu that adds a modern twist to Classic Spanish dishes.

Madrid is not short of beautiful architecture and the Palacio de Tepa, housed in a former 19th century palace, is the perfect way to experience a little of the city’s history. The hotel is located in the heart of Madrid, in the Barrio de la Tatras district. Just a short walk from the hustle and bustle of Puerto del Sol, the royal palace, cathedral, the city’s museums and galleries and it’s also well positioned for Madrid’s city centre nightlife. Charming spacious rooms come with high ceilings and large windows creating a bright and airy space, with some featuring balconies that overlook the Plaza del Angel. Enjoy a true taste of the Mediterranean in the bright and airy restaurant, where the menu is a celebration of Spain’s rich culinary heritage.

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.

Granada is a city with more than its fair share of beautiful buildings and stunning architecture. The luxurious AC Palacio de Santa Paula occupies the former Santa Paula Convent which has been lovingly restored to offer guests a relaxing retreat bursting with character. The hotel is centred around a beautiful courtyard with elegant stone arches and palm trees, the delicate tinkling of the fountain in the background. It also houses the tombs of the nuns from the convent. Admire it from the wraparound balcony on the first floor, complete with 16th century frescos, or sink into one of the chairs and enjoy it illuminated at night. Fusing old and new, the hotel has managed to retain its charm and authenticity while allowing guests to enjoy all the comforts of a modern hotel. There are 75 rooms and suites, some with exposed brick walls and views over the courtyard. The restaurant occupies the former convent library and the menu makes for good reading, fusing traditional Andalusian flavours with more modern culinary concepts. The courtyard is the perfect setting for a glass of wine and nibbles. You’re ideally situated on the Gran Via de Colon, one of the main avenues in Granada’s old quarter. The cathedral and archeological museum are on your doorstep and the majestic Alhambra is within walking distance.

Granada is a city steeped in history, but this hasn’t stopped it embracing modern Spanish culture with aplomb. The blend of old and new is what makes a stay at the Hospes Palacio de los Patos so special. The hotel is split across two buildings, one a renovated 19th century palace and the other a striking modern construction. The interior is bright and airy, and rooms in the older part of the hotel contain beautiful features such as plasterwork ceilings, Doric columns and friezes. After a day of exploring, you’ll relish the opportunity to relax and unwind in the spa which features Turkish baths, a sauna and thermal pool. Sightseeing can build up quite the appetite so enjoy some traditional Spanish tapas or dishes inspired by the city’s Moorish past in the hotel’s restaurant. No trip to Granada would be complete without visiting the majestic Alhambra, a series of palaces and gardens built under the Nazari Dynasty in the 14th century. Be sure to also stop by the Granada Cathedral and the Alcazaba, a wonderfully preserved Moorish fortress.

The Alhambra is one of the most iconic landmarks not just in Granada, but across Europe. The Parador de Granada is located within its grounds and is the perfect place to appreciate it in all its glory. A former Franciscan convent, the Parador was built on the site of a Nasrin palace. The remains of the Turkish bathes are still visible today and other relics are housed in the hotel museum. Part of the building was the former chapel where the kings of Spain were buried before moving to the Royal Chapel. Enjoy a stroll in the garden, from which you can look out at the city’s medieval walls and towards the Sacramonte and Albaicín neighbourhoods. The hotel blends classic and contemporary design with wooden floors, latticed shutters and pieces of antique furniture alongside more modern features in the 45 rooms and suites. The restaurant serves traditional Spanish cuisine and the terrace is the perfect place to while away balmy summer evenings. The Alhambra is understandably one of Spain’s most popular attractions, but your prime location means you can enjoy its majestic palaces and beautiful gardens once the crowds have disappeared.

In the heart of Cordoba, the Hospes Palacio del Bailio is a grand 16th century estate built on the ruins of a Roman villa, the remains of which are visible through a vast glass floor in the central courtyard. Now meticulously restored and replete with a collection of modern art and striking furniture, it represents a 2000 years of the city’s history in one sumptuous offering. 53 rooms continue the theme of past and present fused together, with luxurious fabrics and stylish bathrooms alongside frescos, murals and views into citrus tree filled courtyards. Arbequina, the hotel’s restaurant, serves slightly experimental modern Andalusian food, while there is also tapas available at the underground bar. There is also a small outdoor swimming pool in the fragrant gardens and the Bodyna Spa uses restored Roman thermal baths, offering a range of indulgent therapies.

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.