PALACE HOTEL BARCELONA

When a three-star establishment next door nicks your highly valued name, what do you do? If you’re The Ritz, you renovate and reappear as Palace Hotel. The old school luxury, glitz and glamour hasn’t changed, and whilst we wouldn’t say it was on par with the likes of the Arts or the Mandarin Oriental, you’re guaranteed a five-star experience all the same, at more reasonable rates.

Swagged curtains, plush carpeting and some seriously gilded furniture in enormously decadent communal areas let you know you’ve arrived, and rooms are similarly classically chic with period fireplaces juxtaposing techie touches like magic mirror TVs.

Wi-Fi, however, comes at a pricey USD 15 per day unless you’re happy to yo-yo up and down to reception for complimentary one-hour usage cards – and you’ll want a room on a high floor if you suffer from Princess and the Pea style finicketyness, as the metro system goes right under the property and can make for some unwanted bumps in the night.

Those who already spend too long in the bathroom will love the Roman bath inspiration in some rooms, separated by your own private corridor with showers encased in beautifully mosaic-tiled arches – and no steam-shrouded companions to look out for either.

Trimmings include the lush Mayan Spa (the gym unfortunately not so lush – small and sparsely equipped) and the Michelin-starred Caelis restaurant. Make sure grab a scotch in the downstairs bar and do Sunday brunch in the stunning chequer-boarded conservatory, fountains, palm trees and all.