Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona

A former bank on Passeig de Gràcia redesigned by Patricia Urquiola, with 126 rooms and suites, Two Michelin Keys, the Michelin-starred Moments and a 12-metre indoor pool.

Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona moved into a former bank on Passeig de Gràcia, and Patricia Urquiola gave the building its second career. She designed the interiors with the architects Carlos Ferrater and Juan Trias de Bes, and the hotel now holds Two Michelin Keys.

The 98 rooms and 28 suites look over Passeig de Gràcia, the city skyline or the Mimosa Garden at the back. For the garden, book a Deluxe Garden room (348 sq ft). For the facades, take a Deluxe Boulevard room (367 sq ft) over the Manzana de la Discordia. Further up, the Barcelona Suite has a terrace with a jacuzzi, the Grand Suite comes with three bedrooms and a personal butler, and the Penthouse Suite claims the whole top floor, with a private lift and two terraces. Pets are welcome.

Moments is the Michelin-starred restaurant. Carme Ruscalleda and Raül Balam cook Catalan food there, in a room by Urquiola with an open window onto the kitchen. Blanc runs all day beneath a glass atrium, from 7am to 11pm, with pa amb tomàquet, coca, seafood and rice dishes, and brunch on Sundays. In season, Terrat takes the roof for Riofrío caviar, Fine de Claire oysters, scarlet shrimp tartare and smoked A5 Wagyu nigiri. The Banker’s Bar mixes cocktails, and the Mimosa Garden pours spritzes outdoors until it closes for the season.

The Spa has eight treatment rooms, including two couples’ suites, plus a steam room and a 12-metre indoor pool. A dipping pool waits on the roof. There is also a HairSpa by Miriam Quevedo and a 24-hour gym with Technogym equipment. Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter are both within walking distance.