Barcelona is likened to one huge museum of Art & Design, offering galleries of different artistic styles by neighborhood. Or so it seems, as this Mediterranean city with a glorious weather is an amazing exercise of old and new, and the fashion by which they fuse it so seamlessly simply needs to be experienced.

Hotel Cram personifies this see-saw of design harmony. Located in the heart of Barcelona, just a few blocks from the Passeig de Gràcia, Plaça Catalunya and the world-famous La Rambla. Close to the vibrant local nightlife of Barcelona.

Hotel Cram is mixture of great design, architecture, history and good taste. Elegance and modernity within the building’s walls, while its 19th century facade has been perfectly refurbished. The rooms are also extremely comfortable. The rounded bathrooms give them a special character. The personal adjustment system, installed in each room, gives guests the privilege of choosing their own atmosphere : sound and light levels adapt to desired levels.

One important feature for rooms is that they are soundproof, with an exceptional domotic system. Each room has air-conditioning, safe deposit box, mini bar, room service all day, flat screen TV, movie channels, WIFI internet, alarm clock and non-smoking room.

Also it is impossible not to enjoy the authentic “Gaig” restaurant, featuring chef Carlos Gaig, which has been awarded one Michelin star.

Inspiration: Wayfaring

A unique luxury boutique hotel in the heart of dynamic Barcelona that celebrates Warhol’s Pop Art and Egyptian Pharaoh antiquities. An unusual combination for hip Claris Hotel, as it turns out part of Barcelona’s Egyptian artifact collection are on display at the hotel.

Claris‘ excellent downtown location puts it at the center of Barcelona’s business center, with easy access to Passeig de Gràcia, Plaça Catalunya and Avinguda Diagonal.

The hotel is really extraordinary place with its style of old Egypt and India. The exterior is a mixture of design and exhibited pieces of art. The hotel has a museum where part of the private collection of the Egyptian Museum of Barcelona is on display and to which visitors have free access.

The rooms of the hotel are spacious, large and decorated with one-off art pieces, indian sculptures, antique Napoleonic furniture and engravings. On the top floor terraces there is a fantastic swimming pool with great views and a gym.

For the gourmets the “East 47“, which is a very exclusive restaurant offers delicious cuisine.The restaurant connects the art and the brilliance of Andy Warhol with gastronomy and music, to the flavours of sushi, fresh caviar…

Inspiration: Wayfaring

Hotel Urban is situated in the cultural centre of Madrid, Spain. The hotel has absolutely fantastic interior and offers a variety of exhibits with its private collection of ancient art and an Egyptian Museum.

Urban’s city center location is excellent for exploring Madrid’s main museum, all a short distance away: Museo del Prado (Prado Museum), Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza (Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum), and Museo Reina Sofía (Queen Sofia Museum).

Hotel Urban is designed by ‘Triade Studio’, which has the amazing abilities to bring intimacy and community, function and fantasy, art and design. For the good-music connoisseurs there is a stunning Urban Glass Bar, where quests can experience colourful crowd and beautiful design elements.

In fine on the rooftop visitors will bump into spectacular pool and outstanding restaurant, allowing to view night sky and night life of Madrid. The restaurant offers a variety of delicious and authentic meals. For lovely weather, La Terraza Lounge boasts a refreshing menu, such as an imaginative wine list and cheese cart made of ebony round out the ethnic motif.

Each room in this marvelous place owns air-conditioning, CD players, LCD TV’s, fax, wireless internet connection, stylish parquet flooring, hairdryer, bathrobe, valet parking.

The Urban Hotel is perfect destination for business assignments because of its 3 fully-equipped private dining and conference rooms with accommodating up to 200 people.

Inspiration: Wayfaring

Miró Hotel is located in the city center of Bilbao, Spain, just 200 m from the world-acclaimed must-see Guggenheim Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts. Named after surrealist Spanish painter Joan Miró, the hotel is a excellent example of Spanish design ingenuity, a harmonious blend of old and new in a similar approach to Italian design.

Miró Hotel is designed by old fashioned principles, which provide a modern vision of luxury. The hotel facade makes a strong statement and creates a light box effect at the night. The questrooms have soothing colour palettes and textures, curtains rather than walls, separate work and living areas. And the hotel’s Miró Bar features long, low-slung lines that suggest a sleek version of modernity while providing Bilbao with a truly chic watering hole.

For the food lovers, Bar Miró offers a selection of delicious snacks and cocktails.

Each room has flat LCD TVs, DVD players, CD and DVD selection, minibar, safe, free DSL and wireless internet access throughout the hotel, air conditioning, room service, laundry, garage with valet parking, shuttle service.

Inspiration: Wayfaring

Chile is on the upswing! The small but narrow country has earned the nickname “Tiger Economy” likened to the other export-oriented economies of the Far East.

A healthy economy has spilled into other areas of Arts and Architecture. Chile’s stunning natural beauty and diverse landscapes provide the perfect inspiration. The past few years have seen a steady flow of new hotels across Chile that have raised the bar in style and design language.  This hotel is no different.

The Arrebol Patagonia Hotel is located in the forest area of Puerto Varas, Chile just on the south-east border of Llanquihue Lake. The area is an amazing array of natural beauty, full with native trees, lagoons, ravines and little creeks and rivers.

The hotel is built on a big slope and has the best view of the city, lake and horizon. The two principal materials are steel and reinforced concrete. The windows are made of Rauli (native tree), but the most innovative detail is the heating that works with geo thermic energy.

The hotel is composed by elements from the region, that’s why you may see a wooden paneling outside and inside the building.

Arrebol Patagonia Hotel is a peaceful place, where tourists could have the chance for total relaxation. The hotel offers 7 chill-zones with beautiful greenery and music for the soul.
Each room is stylish decorated with soft colors, comfortable furniture and of course latest technology from iPod shuffle to jazz music in your bathroom.

Source: Arch Daily and Wayfaring

The resort maximizes the dramatic coast and the light reflected by the Indian Ocean to inspire visitors discovering Bali’s unspoilt nature and culture for the first time. Coming here with that special someone transports you far away from the hustle and bustle urban life.

Set amidst landscaped gardens and surrounded by the natural beauty of Bali’s pristine Seminyak beach, the resort is the latest addition to the elegant outpost of chic restaurants, boutique shops and trendy nightlife hotspots.

The Anantara Ocean Suite with its private terrace facing the beautiful Indian Ocean and the world-renowned Seminyak sunset, is perfect for couples on a dreamy vacation. The sleek yet warm interior features Asian-inspired touches that blend comfort and romance. With expansive, free-flowing living space, floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows and signature “Terrazzo” hydro tub for two overlooking the ocean, the suite is definitely a love nest par exellence.

The pool-side restaurant, Wild Orchid, serves authentic Thai food showcasing Thailand’s diverse culinary traditions. Described by its design team as a “dramatic neo-authentic Thai restaurant”, Wild Orchid offers a modish sensual mood to complement the taste sensations of your romantic dinner. Afterwards take your partner upstairs to S.O.S. and take in the unparalleled views of the Seminyak coast (and catch the perfect sunset if you are lucky!). Lounge on plush day beds and enjoy some inventive cocktails whipped up by the Anantara mixologists.

While you’re here, why not pamper yourself with the restorative powers of a Traditional Balinese Massage. Developed in Bali, yet drawing its roots from traditional Chinese massage and Indian Ayurveda, the Anantara treatment works deeply to soothe damaged tissues and relieve strained muscles and joint pain. A rigorous, yet therapeutic combination of long, gliding movements, skin rolling and firm kneading along pressure points will warm and relax muscle tissues and boost your circulation to help rebalance your entire system.

In yet another attempt to create a modern Mexican sophistication, the creators of the super-stylish Habita Hotel in Mexico City have shifted their attention to Yucatan peninsula, with their brand of chic. In a short span of time, Grupo Habita, has catapulted into Mexico’s most progressive and cutting edge hoteliers. The Mayan Riviera, long attracting travelers for her stunning archeological ruins and scuba diving, now has the ultimate destination for relaxation, Deseo, comfortably nestled on Playa del Carmen’s hip Quinta Avenida, sandwiched between the touristic Cancun to the North, and the sedentary coast of Riviera Maya to the South.

Whilst resolutely modern, Deseo attempts to maintain the charm of old fishing villages along the Caribbean coast. Deseo incorporates key elements of contemporary lifestyle. Open-air lounges, sea breeze and well-prepared dishes can be enjoyed in a refined atmosphere. The cocktails and the sounds of the best DJs from around the world will intoxicate you into a soothing state of mind.

With just 6 guest rooms and 3 suites, exclusivity is definitely the word here — and the location, in an unmarked building on a leafy avenue, is central and yet discreet as can be. It doesn’t take much of a staff to keep a handle on a hotel this small, so expect a personal touch in the service. Art by local Tapatío artists warms up the sleek white minimalist spaces, and the rooftop terrace gets guests out and mingling under the night sky. Be sure and check out the Clarum 101 while it’s still a bit of a secret.

Please send us an e-mail if you need recommendations on what to do in Guadalajara from a native´s point of view.