Almanac Barcelona, Spain

In the Eixample neighbourhood, with its great choice of restaurants and bars, and just a few steps from swanky shopping on the Passeig de Gràcia, this hotel is ideally placed for exploring Barcelona. Several of Gaudi's iconic Modernist buildings are nearby, as are tourist hotspots Las Ramblas and the old town. The beaches, Montjuic's cable car and La Sagrada Familia are just a short Metro ride away. Highly rated little Tapas24 is nearby, while on the Passeig de Gracia, huge El Nacional has different areas offering local cuisine. Cachitos is the place for sangria.

By plane: there are direct flights from London (2 hours 5 mins), Manchester (2 hours 20 mins) and Edinburgh (2 hours 40 mins). The hotel is a 25-minute drive from El-Prat airport. Book flights to Barcelona.

Local designer Jaime Beriestain created the opulent look, which is contemporary with Art Deco touches. Marbled floors, bold mirrors and metallic touches combine with splashes of colour to create lively public areas and comfortable, relaxing, spacious guest rooms decorated in neutral tones.

Service is polite and efficient here, and there's also a friendly concierge desk to help with enhancing your stay. Guest rooms feature touchscreen controls for lighting, temperature and curtains and there's a wellness centre with a small but well-equipped gym, a spa with a good selection of treatments, a popular ground-floor restaurant and a rooftop terrace with a bar, a small pool and great views of the city.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Swimming pool
• Roof terrace
• Sauna
• Spa
• Fitness centre
• Free Wi-Fi

The rooms and suites are spacious and light and have a contemporary design that gives a feeling of luxury. Bath and shower rooms are also spacious and have double-sink vanities and walk-in showers. Suites also have terraces.

Room types: Gallery, Almanac, Family Studio room; Junior, Almanac, Terrace, Penthouse suites

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom, tea and coffee facilities, free Wi-Fi

The hotel's Virens restaurant is an attractive spot with geometric floor tiles, sleek marble walls, large plants arching over some tables and a gold-ridged cocktail bar. Its 'green haute cuisine' is overseen by acclaimed Spanish Michelin-starred chef Rodrigo de la Calle. The restaurant is also used for sizeable buffet breakfasts, which include numerous Spanish options, There's a small menu in the rooftop Azimuth Bar too.

Virens: fresh, seasonal Catalonian cuisine. Open daily. Mains from €18.

Azimuth: rooftop bar. Open daily for lunch, evening drinks and dinner. Mains from 18€.