Mandarin Oriental Barcelona

This swanky five-star has a rarefied position on luxury shopping avenue Passeig de Gràcia, near Gaudí’s Pedrera and Casa Battlo and the city’s chicest boutiques. Contemporary styled rooms with oak floors and floor-to-ceiling windows are filled with light.

Designer Patricia Urquiola’s interiors are spectacular, from the white-and-gold atrium to the white-on-white bedrooms. The two-bedroom Penthouse Suite occupies the entire eighth floor with wrap-around terraces.

The Michelin two-starred restaurant Moments has a fantastically creative Catalan menu,  there’s an all-day brasserie or you could go for drinks and nibbles in the tranquil Mimosa Garden. The rooftop terrace, complete with plunge pool is perfect for a sunset cocktail, or dinner at Terrata,  serving inventive Peruvian.

To top it all off there’s a fabulous spa, with a lap pool and fitness centre, and the best concierge service in town.