Madrid & environs
Located in the center of the Iberian peninsula, Spain's capital city is home to the great Prado and Thyssen art museums.

Santo Mauro
C/ Zurbano, 36
28010 Madrid, Spain
T: +34 913-196-900. 37 rooms. US$ 300-
www.achotelsantomauro.com
Converted 19th century palace located in the posh Chamberí district.

Casa de Madrid
Arrieta, 2 - 2†
28013 Madrid
T: +34 91 559 57 9. 7 room b&b. US$ 190-
www.casademadrid.com
Owned by an art curator/interior designer, this luxuriously romantic b&b is located on a floor of an 18th century building next to the Teatro Real and the Palacio Real in the heart of Madrid.

Valdepalacios
Torricom Spain
T: +34 925 46 75 34. 27 rooms. US$ 450-
www.valdepalacios.es
You can horse ride, fish and enjoy dining overseen by one of Spain's celebrity chefs, Santi Santamaria of Barcelona's Can Fabes restaurant. Located in farmland 90 minutes outside Madrid, it is reminiscent of a chic English country house hotel.


Andalucia
A land of white mountain-top villages, bougainvillea and sidewalk cafes. Remnants of Moorish civilization are still evident along the miles of Spain's southern coast. Major cities include Granada, Cordoba and Seville.

Parador San Francisco
(also known as the Parador de Granada)
Alhambra
Granada, Spain
T: 34 958 22 14 40. 36 rooms. US$ 226-
www.paradores-spain.com/spain/pgranada.html
Grace Kelly honeymooned here; this parador started life centuries ago as a luxurious guest residence on the grounds of the Alhambra.

Casa No. 7
Virgenes, 7 Seville
T: +34 955 422 158. 6 room b&b. US$ 168-
www.casanumero7.com
Tasteful small mansion located next to the old Jewish quarters in the heart of Seville.

Corral del Rey
Corral del Rey 12
Seville, Spain
T: +34 954 227 116. 6 rooms US$ 410-
www.corraldelrey.com
This 17th century house with small stylish rooms is only a five minute walk from the cathedral.

Hacienda Benazuza
Virgen de las Nieves
Sanlúcar La Mayor
T: +34 955 703 344. 44 rooms. US$ 408-
www.elbullihotel.com
This luxurious hotel set on a hill overlooking the small village of Sanlúcar la Mayor—15 miles outside Seville—oozes Moorish sensuality with fountains, canals and gardens. The hotel is a joint venture with famed Catalán chef Ferran Adrià.


Castilla y Leon
Castles, gothic cathedrals and vistas ringed with mountains. Major cities are Salamanca (European City of Culture 2002), Toledo and Segovia.

Hotel Infanta Isabel
1 Calle de Isabel la Catolica,
Segovia, Spain
T: +34 921 461-300. 27 rooms. US$ 64-.
www.hotelinfantaisabel.com
Located right in the heart of the Old Quarter, you can almost touch Segovia's cathedral--Spain's last major Gothic building and embellished to the hilt--from the windows of this 19th century stone town house. Rooms are simple and snug.

Hostal del Cardenal
24 Paseo de Recaredo,
Toledo, Spain
T: +34 925 224-900. 27 rooms, US$ 60-. Dinner for two, $60-.
www.hostaldelcardenal.com
In the 18th century Cardinal Lorenzana built this stately residence on lands fortified by medieval Muslims and gifted by the conquering Alfonso VI to the cardinals of Toledo. Decorated with ceramics, woods and an old coffered ceiling, it possesses an excellent restaurant.


Galicia
Spain's rugged northwest coast has scenic bluffs, coves and inlets. It is known for its seafood, wines, Celtic heritage, and the "End of the Way" pilgrim destination, Santiago de Compostela. Located north of Portugal's border, cool, misty Galicia is one of—and the least well known—seven Celtic nations.

Hotel Reyes Catolicos
Santiago de Compostela, Spain
T: +34 81 582 200. 137 rooms. US$ 220-
www.paradores-spain.com/spain/pscompostela
Along with Rome and Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela is one of Christendom's three principal pilgrimage destinations. This magnificent parador, formerly a pilgrim's hospital, is located in the plaza near the cathedral.

Asturias
Located in northern Spain between Galicia and Cantabria, rural Asturias has beaches, farms, quaint fishing villages and mountains. In the late 19th century Spaniards who made their fortunes in the New World—nicknamed "Indianos" from the Spanish name for the Americas (Indias)—returned here to build lavish mansions, a few of which are now charming hotels.

Palacete de Peñalba
Calle Granada
Figueras del Mar
T: +34 985 636-125. 22 rooms. US$ 120- (low season)
www.hotelpalacetepenalba.com
An art deco house built by a disciple of Gaudi for a wealthy Argentine Indiano. Located in small town on the border of Galicia, it has a lovely garden and river views.


Catalonia
Located between France and the western Mediterranean, Catalonia is a proud region with a rich heritage. Its capital, Barcelona, is known for its century-long love of innovative architecture from Gaudi's Modernisme to the present day Gehry and Meier's musueums--few cities can rival the medieval atmosphere of its Gothic Quarter.

Hotel Meson Castilla
Raval
Barcelona, Spain
T: +34 93 318 2182. US$ 84-
www.mesoncastilla.com
For a feel of medieval Barcelona stay here in the old quarter. The hotel has antique or homemade folkish furniture and its top floor looks out over Richard Meier's white Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona.

Catalan Pyrenees
This rugged and beautiful high mountain range separates France from Spain.

Hotel El Castell
La Seu d'Urgell, Spain
T: +34 97 335 0704. 38 rooms. US$ 270-
www.hotelelcastell.com
Built beneath the ruins of a 17th century fortress, the country inn features a fine restaurant and stunning mountain views.


Extremadura
Bordering Portugal and still undiscovered by tourists, the landscape resembles an undeveloped Provence or Tuscany. Important towns include the pilgrimage site of Guadalupe and the capital, Merida, with its well-preserved Roman ruins.

Hospederia Convento de la Parra
16 Calle Santa Maria
La Parra, Extremadura, Spain
T: +34 924 682-692.  21 rooms. US$ 90
www.laparra.net
Located in a small whitewashed village, this former 17th century convent was recenty converted into a romantic and stylish hotel.


   Guadalupe, Extramadura
   The "soul of Spain"; a Spanish pilgrimage site second only to Santiago    de Compostela. The town is dominated by a 14th century working    monastery. This World Heritage Site is filled with relics, illuminated    manuscripts and valuable works of art.

-Spanish Islands-

   Majorca
   Bypass the packaged tour crowd and drive to the stunning setting of    Deiá, a clifftop village overlooking the sea.

   Ca's Xorc
   Carretera de Deiá
   Soller, Majorca
   T: +34 971 638-280. 12 rooms. US$ 200-
   www.casxorc.com
   A former olive mill, the rustic inn boasts panoramic views of the valley    and sea. Soller is a short distance from the arty, bohemian village of    Deiá.

   La Residencia
   Deiá, Majorca
   T: +34 971 639011.  63 rooms. US$ 415-, high season.
   www.hotellaresidencia.com
   Unpretentious luxury inside two 16th century manor houses. A quartet    of stone manor houses featuring oak beans, terra cotta rails and local    art. On-site pool has views over the town's lovely nestlike perch and    the breath-taking Mediterranean coast beyond. The restaurant is set in    an old olive press.

   Canary Islands
   Christopher Columbus lodged here on his way to the New World.
   Near-perfect climate and beaches; lush volcanic mountain scenery.

   Parador de la Gomera
   38800 San Sebastian de la Gomera
   Santa Cruz de Tenerife
   T: +34 922 87 11 00. 58 rooms.US$ 150-
   www.paradores-spain.com/spain/pgomera.html
   Arrive by ferry-boat from Tenerife to the mountain island, Gomera. This    Castillian manor house-style hotel overlooks the picturesque village of    San Sebastian and neighboring Tenerife Island.