Claris Hotel & Spa ★★★★★ GL

Housed in the old Palacio Vedruna, the Hotel Claris & Spa ***** has been newly renovated using the highest quality materials and artwork. Mixing Catalan modernist architecture with that of contemporary glass and steel, the luxurious design hotel has certainly earned its place among the likes of famous architectural attractions such as Guadí’s La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. Barcelona is of course an artists’ city and stepping into the Claris’s lustrous lobby, it feels as if you’ve walked into a modern art gallery.

The rooms, too, display the very highest standard of design – seamlessly blending art, luxury and functionality. Each one distinctive, they’re dressed in tones of slate, gold, and chocolate, and feature contemporary pieces, which blend in with the design of the room itself, as well as unique pre-Colombian and Hindu carvings.

Barcelona has such a large variety of excellent restaurants and tapas bars that you may forget about the ones at your hotel. The dining options at the Hotel Claris are something that should definitely not be overlooked though. Up on the hotel’s rooftop, surrounded by glass and offering panoramic views of the city, you’ll find La Terraza del Claris. It’s a perfect place to lie back and soak up the sun during the heat of the day, dine on sumptuous Mediterranean cuisine or sip cocktails under the stars by night.

For something a little less romantic and a little trendier, head down to the hotel’s East 47 Cocktail & Tapas bar, where sleek and glossy architecture meets quirky pop art. Tins of Campbell’s Soup hang from the walls and Andy Warhol’s vivid Marlin Monroe prints add a splash of intense colour. A hip hangout for both locals and tourists alike, it serves up classy cocktails and specialises in designer gin and tonics and international whiskies. It’s also the place to get your hands on jazzed-up classic tapas plates such as sautéed squid with onion chutney, wild mushroom croquettes, and salt cod fritters. A lavish buffet breakfast is also served each morning, showcasing the best in local produce, which you can enjoy either inside or up on the rooftop terrace.

Barcelona may have the beach and the Mediterranean Sea, but after a long day of sightseeing in the Spanish sunshine, there’s nothing better than lazing by the hotel’s rooftop pool, affording stunning views over central Barcelona. There is of course also a light and airy gym, with vistas to match those of the pool, as well as a sauna and solarium.

In such an arty city as Barcelona, the Hotel Claris, with all its beautiful design, is definitely a masterpiece in its own right.