Magnificent Barcelona and Hotel Claris

It's easy to become seduced by Barcelona. Sunning on the urban beaches of the Catalan coastline, checking out Picasso's weird sketches at the Picasso Museum, bar-hopping along Las Ramblas, discovering the magical whimsy of Gaudi's architectural gems like the Sagrada Familia. Your ideal base in this dynamic city is the Hotel Claris, a luxury boutique hotel opened in the former Palacio Vedruna (note: the beautiful facade is still intact). Perks include an awesome terrace overlooking Barcelona and rooftop swimming pool and solarium with incredible vistas. The hotel itself is like a museum, an art-lover's paradise filled with original Egyptian, Roman and Hindu art, including engravings commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte, mosaics and Roman sculptures from the 2nd century. Located on Paseo de Gracia in the middle of all the action, Hotel Claris offers 124 guestrooms, beautifully decorated and outfitted with all the latest technology.

Note: Small Luxury Hotels of the World recently commended Hotel Claris for the exceptional levels of personal service provided at the Club Level. Examples of guest-pampering are numerous: helicopter flights over the mountains, the use of a car to explore the city's historical sights, complimentary access to museums.