Best for beach-lovers
HOTEL ARTS
One of Barcelona's greatest assets is its beach, and there's nowhere better to enjoy it than the city's original 'design' hotel, which opened in 1994 just a pebble's throw from the sand. Inside this landmark, 44-storey tower is contemporary glamour wherever you look, from the oversized chandeliers and marble floors in the lobby to the rooms with their quietly sophisticated taupe and ivory decor, Asprey bathroom products, and breathtaking views of the Med. Tuck into two-Michelin-starred fare at the restaurant or unwind in the superb rooftop spa. Bored of the beach? No problem - choose from the hotel's two outdoor pools instead.
ROOMS: From €330 (£274).
hotelartsbarcelona.com
Best for romantics
THE NERI
Hidden away down a narrow lane in Barcelona's historic Gothic Quarter, there's such a rarefied sense of hush and intimacy at this classy, converted 12th-century townhouse that it's hard to believe you're less than five minutes from the hubbub of Las Ramblas. The lobby sets a stylish tone on arrival, with contemporary lighting glowing against a wood-paneled ceiling and a sweeping, medieval stone staircase. The hotel's 22 rooms have a relaxed, modern feel with ivory walls, vibrant red rugs and luxurious bathrooms, and you'll find a plunge pool and loungers on the small rooftop terrace. The restaurant, meanwhile, serves up a mean line in Asian fusion fine dining, so there's no rush to leave the hotel when you get peckish.
ROOMS: From €270 (£224), room only.
hotelneri.com
Best for culture vultures
HOTEL CLARIS
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July/August 2022 من National Geographic Traveller (UK).
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July/August 2022 من National Geographic Traveller (UK).
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Annette Arjoon-Martins
RAISED BY HER INDIGENOUS GRANDMOTHER IN GUYANA, SOUTH AMERICA, ANNETTE BUILT A FEMALE DRONE UNIT TO MONITOR MANGROVES
The Amazon to the Andes
THIS AUTUMN, PADDINGTON HEADS TO PERU ON THE BIG SCREEN - FOLLOW IN HIS PAWPRINTS FOR AN EPIC FAMILY ADVENTURE
Serra de Tramuntana
MAJORCA'S MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGE IS EVERY BIT AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE ISLAND'S COASTLINE - AND YOU CAN HIKE STRAIGHT FROM YOUR HOTEL
CRAFTING PERFECTION
Carlsberg's old brewing district has been redeveloped, offering creative new ways to enjoy Copenhagen
HOTEL AWARDS 2024
IT'S BEEN AN EPIC YEAR FOR HOTEL OPENINGS, REVAMPS AND EXTENSIONS, AND WE'VE SCOURED THE GLOBE FOR THE BEST OF THEM. WHETHER YOU WANT TO TUNE INTO THE JUNGLE FROM A TREEHOUSE, SLEEP IN A PIECE OF HISTORY OR WATCH THE SUN SET OVER MOUNTAIN PEAKS FROM YOUR BED, YOU'RE GUARANTEED A MEMORABLE STAY FROM OUR WINNERS AND RUNNERS-UP
MALDIVES
An archipelago of 1,192 coral islands and 26 turquoise atolls looping across the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is home to resorts that cater to every imaginable taste, from barefoot escapes to designer digs. The most convenient to reach are located in the South Malé, North Malé and Vaavu atolls, within speedboat distance of Velana International Airport, while more remote atolls are accessible by seaplane or domestic flight. With easy access to the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Baa and Raa are especially popular. Those around the Equator, including Gaafu Alifu, offer a splendid sense of isolation, abundant marine life and brilliantly starry night skies.
TRANSYLVANIA
The central Romanian region of Dracula fame makes for an intriguing autumn break - sink your teeth into its crafts and culture after discovering its turreted castles.
Audio adventures
FROM OVERTOURISM TO HOW THE OLYMPIC GAMES AFFECTS HOST CITIES, HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST PODCASTS THAT EXPLORE THE WORLD
NICE
Historically a place where monarchs and aristocrats would escape the winter in favour of warm Mediterranean climes, this southern French city is at its best in the off season
BELFAST
In the Northern Irish capital, the healing and uniting powers of music and art are being used to reconcile the past, look to the future and bring communities together
