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Top Ten City Hotels

You wouldn't normally expect to spend much time in your hotel on a city break, but all the same it can really enhance your weekend away to return to a welcoming, charming hotel at the end of a day's sightseeing. Like the hotels that we feature in our other programmes, our city hotels are hand-picked. We seek out welcoming hotels that are located close to the main sights yet also reflect the 'feel' of the city. The result is a selection of characterful hotels, many of which are family-run and have been converted from ancient buildings.

Hotel Colón, Barcelona. The focal point of Barcelona is, of course, Las Ramblas. Lined with shops and restaurants, this one street sums up the city: vibrant and cosmopolitan. Grand and elegant, our favourite Barcelona hotel, the 4-star Colón ('Columbus') is the shortest of strolls from Las Ramblas, on a square right opposite the cathedral. We love it for this superb location, and the terrace café is the ideal place to relax after some sightseeing or shopping.

Las Casas del Rey Baeza, Seville. Seville encapsulates all that is southern Spain – the vibrancy, the strong spirit and the relaxed approach to life. In a city whose narrow streets conceal tiny, flower-filled courtyards, the Casas del Rey Baeza fits in well – within the hotel is a series of small courtyards and open galleries off which are the bedrooms, and the design of the hotel creates a feeling of quiet intimacy.

Hotel Guelfo Bianco, Florence. In one of the world's greatest art cities, it is very fitting that this delightful hotel is full of art works – in bedrooms, in corridors, in the breakfast room... A special place in a special city.

Hotel Ca'Nigra, Venice. Venice's dazzling beauty never ceases to delight even the most frequent visitor. It is always a joy to stroll through the narrow streets, and with so many fascinating churches, museums and galleries, there is always something new to discover. The location of the 4-star Hotel Ca'Nigra, overlooking the Grand Canal, is superb, and the interior blends antique and modern.

Hotel Miramare, Naples. Sometimes chaotic, often noisy and always bursting with energy, Naples, capital of the Mezzogiorno (land of the midday sun), is the very essence of Italian brio, with a bustling centre full of monuments and wonderful churches. Converted from an early 20th-century aristocrat's villa, the 4-star Miramare is right on the seafront, and exudes Art Nouveau elegance. The roof terrace is the ultimate place to relax, with views across the sweeping Bay of Naples to towering Mount Vesuvius.

Hotel Ilaria, Lucca. Lucca is a city filled with charm, and is utterly enchanting, a jumble of red-tiled houses, ancient squares and historic churches. The Ilaria is just a few steps from the medieval city gate. One of its best features are the terraces, which overlook the park of the Villa Bottini; these are great places to enjoy breakfast in good weather. Another great feature of the hotel is that it has a range of bicycles for guests' use if you fancy doing as locals do and getting about on two wheels!

Oud Huis de Peellaert, Bruges. In a city with such beautiful architecture, it is fitting that the Oud Huis de Peellaert has been converted from an impressive 19th-century building, once the home of the Count of Peellaert. High ceilings, chandeliers and large windows create a feeling of grandeur, and the smart bedrooms offer all the comforts you would expect from a 4-star hotel.

Pensión Iturrienea Ostatua, Bilbao. Bilbao is a striking city. The thrilling, titanium-clad Guggenheim is the major attraction, but just as appealing are the historic streets of the Casco Viejo (Old Town). The location of the Iturrienea Ostatua could not be better, right in the heart of the Old Town. With original features such as beams and exposed stone work, this friendly hotel is very characterful and intimate, and boasts remarkably good facilities for a 2-star establishment, including room service.

Hotel Carlton, Lille. Lille has quickly become one of Europe's most dynamic and interesting cities, a blend of old and new, with some excellent art galleries and restaurants, and is easily accessed by Eurostar. The Hotel Carlton is one of the city's finest hotels and enjoys an excellent location on the Place du Théâtre, looking towards the Opéra and the magnificent Bourse. Its 4-star status is reinforced by the splendid Louis XV and XVI-style decoration of the spacious bedrooms.

Hotel Mayfair, Paris. Paris' unique allure is guaranteed to draw you back time and time again, regardless of how well you know the city. The 4-star Mayfair's location, between the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre, is excellent for visiting the main sights, and, with its elegant interior and attentive service, the hotel is an ideal choice for a special occasion.

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