OVERVIEW
It is easier to get to Spain than ever. With more flights than ever, you can get to the sun in under four hours door to door. Isn’t Europe marvellous?
Barcelona and Madrid are Western Spain’s most popular city breaks. Madrid may tip it with its fabulous shopping and lively nightlife but Barcelona boasts mountains and golden sand, all in one city break. Add in some Gaudi architecture and you have yourself one of Europe’s favourite weekend destinations. Soak up the buzz of Las Ramblas, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants or lie on the beach. Whatever your preference, Barcelona has it all.
Head to the Balearics from April – November and you can be almost guaranteed good weather. The islands of Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza have become everyone’s firm favourite – safe and clean beaches, fantastic food and scorching sunshine mean they suit all the family.
Travel is the only thing you can buy which makes you richer
CURRENT FAVES
BARCELONA
This super-cool hotel combines contemporary rooms with heavenly day beds and spectacular views. With a stylish rooftop pool and decked terrace, the hotel is set above the city’s glitziest street, Passeig de Gracia. With a Michelin-starred restaurant, a stylish cocktail bar and Omm Club, you can head down for live music and DJ’s from Thursday to Saturday. In fact, you have everything you need under one roof. The pièce de résistance is the rooftop swimming pool and solarium overlooking La Pedrera and the Spaciomm spa with hammam and water therapy pool. With only 91 rooms the hotel doesn’t cater well for small children so consider it an adult-only retreat.
MALLORCA
This spa hotel is within 5 minutes’ drive to Mallorca’s best beach, Es Trenc (or 15 minutes’ by bike). Font Santa Hotel is also close to the saline mounds of Es Salobrar which were used as thermal waters by the Romans. The hotel has only 25 rooms to share the thermal spa, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and gym. Or you can just relax with your book on the stunning day beds by the outdoor pool. The hotel is an adult-only retreat. The restaurant offers locally cooked dishes and an impressive cocktail list. Make sure you’re there for the tapas and live jazz nights on Sunday in the hotel restaurant.
IBIZA
This boutique hotel is set in a peaceful olive grove located close to the town of Santa Gertrudis and a few miles from the beaches on the northern shores of Ibiza. With a fabulous new spa and restaurant from 2015, Ca Na Xica boasts the Spanish white finca style with super luxurious rooms leading onto your private terrace. The rooms also feature mod-cons such as Nespresso machines and fantastic views so enjoy the peace and quiet whilst surrounded by the stunning scenery that the north can offer.
FORMENTERA
Situated on the tiny, laid-back island of Formentera, here you’ll find a lounger-flanked pool, ultra-relaxed restaurant and stylish self-contained apartments. With the bonus of a sandy beach being steps from your door. Formentera is one of the best kept secrets in Europe. Fly to Ibiza and take the hydrofoil onto the island where super stylish restaurants are the norm and the beaches boast the clearest waters. With 29 apartments, there’s plenty of space to share the swimming pools, tennis court and jacuzzi. Plus there are bikes to borrow to get around. Hit the waters at La Savina with the diving school, take the 10-minute walk to the best beach on the island and spend your days enjoying endless Whispering Angel rose at the island’s spectacularly good restaurants.