Villa Real by Jamie Dunford Wood

With their claim 'we approach the hotel industry as an art form', Derby Hotels of Spain have put down a challenging marker. As in Barcelona's Claris Hotel (their flagship), modern design and detailing are carefully blended with the owner's eclectic taste in ancient art, here represented by a collection of Roman mosaic panels displayed in the lobby and the main function room; though they might easily be mistaken by jaded tourists for reproductions without close inspection of the handy descriptions. The theme is continued in the corridors upstairs, which are painted in a green wash with marble flooring, Pompeii-style. Only a discreet line of matching fire extinguishers along the walls at eye level spoil the effect.

The hotel is right across from the Chamber of Deputies and the Palace Hotel on the edge of the old town, so is well positioned. The reception area sets the tone with its rich honey coloured wood and pale grey-flecked marble, with staff in matching brown attire. Natural materials are used throughout the hotel, with a preponderance of wood and mirrors in the rooms - dark mahogany floors, dark grained modern and repro mahogany furniture, with pale walls sponged over lightly in orange. Original modern oils hang on them, and some rooms have modern flower sculptures and arrangements. Many of the doubles are split level, some with great views over the Chamber of Deputies and square outside. Windows are Spanish style square bays which let in plenty of light when the curtains are drawn back. Bathrooms have twin sinks but are smallish, though rooms are of a decent size, all with small seating area. There are 96 standard doubles plus 5 junior suites (one on each floor) and 12 duplexes on the fifth. As in the Claris in Madrid these consist of two tiny rooms. They do have small terraces, perhaps comfortable to sit out on at night, as well as jacuzzis, but other than that the space of the less expensive standards or junior suites are to be preferred. Derby Hotels are largely aimed at business clients, though tourists fill them at weekends and in summer.