W Barcelona

Class: Deluxe

Style: Cutting edge

Rooms: 473

Ricardo Bofill's landmark, sail-shaped skyscraper on Barcelona's beachfront opened with much fanfare in October 2009. Its prominent position and strident design ensured it was a controversial build, but locals have embraced the new hotel as reflective of the city's spirit: a party-loving place where breaking with the norm is to be embraced. Once inside those soaring glass walls it's like bobbing along on the big blue, the sequinned lobby giving way to a lounge that seems to flow forever. Its decor, created by Bofill's wife Marta, is a sort of Captain Nemo' for grown-ups, using sandy hues with coral lanterns and 'Ghost' side tables leading to an Ibiza-style pool terrace. Unsurprisingly, the mood is lively and playful, and although the hotel is well-geared for business travellers, it's hard to imagine getting any work done. W has two restaurants: Wave for casual dining; and super-chef Carles Abellan's Bravo for posh barbecue in minimalist surroundings. On the ground floor you'll find the Bliss spa where fresh ginger scrubs and oxygen masks are enjoyed with flutes of Champagne and chocolate brownies, while the vampish 26th-floor Eclipse bar does a mean passion-fruit Martini and sushi nibbles. Sleep is optional, but if you must, all room categories have immense views straight out to sea. And Bofill's cheeky details, such as handlebars affixed to the headboards and tubs-for-two suggest not everyone will spend their time snoozing.