Barcelona is a hectic city — swelteringly hot in summer, heaving with crowds, stall owners yelling, brightly coloured building, thumping flamenco.
But at the Hotel Miramar, you could be on another planet. On a hill above the city, but easily accessible by the Montjuic cable car which perches just in front of the hotel, the breathtakingly serene scenes of the city and the sea makes you forget the stress that lies below. Close by, in surrounding Montjuic, visitors can explore the Miro museum and botanical gardens, if you can tear your eyes away from the view.
The building is glossy art deco style, built in 1929 by King Alfonso XIII, with a cascading waterfall coming down as you enter the monochrome lobby.
The hotel’s spa facilities are one of its major plus points. Spacious sun-loungers are scattered around a deep turquoise H-shaped pool, where you can sip sangria and admire the panorama down the slope. But inside, guests are spoilt with a large fitness centre, jacuzzis, saunas, a huge indoor pool and a Turkish bath.
