El Palace, Barcelona, Spain

Located at the cross-section of some big busy thoroughfares, on the eastern side of the Eixample neighbourhood, and just a couple of blocks from the Gothic Quarter, the hotel has a good, pretty central location. Some of the top sights are a short walk: Gaudi's renowned Casa Batllo is a ten-minute walk, and his Sagrada Familia Cathedral is double that. Las Ramblas and Plaça Catalunya are a ten-minute walk.

By plane: Fly direct from London (2 hours 5 mins) and Manchester (2 hours 20 mins) to El Prat airport. The hotel is a 30-minute drive away. Public parking costs €38 per day. Book flights to Barcelona.

They don't make hotels like this anymore: opulence at every turn, with Versailles-style ornate furniture, huge fussy drapes, swirling carpets and oriental rugs, polished marble pillars and floors, and in the Grand Hall, a grand piano. However, some will find it dated.

Service is impeccable and old-school here, with liveried doormen and a very helpful concierge. There's a small business centre with a computer and printer, a spa and fitness room, and on the rooftop, a 14-metre pool. As well as the Grand Hall restaurant and cocktail bar, there are further bars in the basement and on the rooftop.

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

Ivory and cream palettes mean the guest rooms are generally more restrained than the public areas and present an air of luxury from an earlier age. They have high-quality antique furniture, luxurious king-sized beds with Egyptian cotton sheets and mounted TVs hidden inside ornate mirrors.

Room types: Classic Room, Superior Room, Junior Suite, Superior Suite, Family Suite, The Art Suites, El Palace Suite by Ronnie Wood

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with sustainable toiletries, TV, tea and coffee facilities, desk, free Wi-Fi

The extensive buffet breakfast is usually served at El Jardín. The Grand Hall offers all-day dining as well as drinks at the swish cocktail bar. Amar is a seafood restaurant headed by renowned chef, Rafa Zafra. There is also a gorgeous cocktail bar, Bluesman, located in the basement, and there's a second bar, the Smokers Club, for whiskey and cigar fans.

Grand Hall: Modern European dining: pastas, salads and sharing plates. Open all day. Mains from €19.

Amar: seafood restaurant from chef Rafa Zafra. Open Tue-Sun for lunch and Tue-Sat for dinner.