Hotel Duquesa de Cardona

This lovely hotel in the Gothic Quarter is a calm, sophisticated choice. While calling it "luxurious" may be taking it a tad too far, the Hotel Duquesa is certainly upscale. The warm lobby, with a small library and Internet nook, is rarely crowded, and the same goes for the sunny rooftop terrace, where guests can find a pool and bar. You'll run into the majority of guests in the restaurant, which serves a breakfast buffet and light bites. Most guests are couples seeking a quiet, refined hotel.

Hotel Duquesa Cardona is within view of the port and a 15-minute walk or less from a few of Barcelona's most prized attractions, such as the Mercat de la Boqueria public market. It is situated in the Gothic Quarter, surrounded by shops and restaurants. The hotel is located on a bus route, which makes explorations in other neighborhoods convenient. If the subway is preferred, a stop is an eight-minute walk away -- not an insurmountable distance, but a bit farther than expected in a city dotted by metro stations.

Barcelona has the best of two worlds: the urban excitement of a modern yet historical city combined with the leisure and relaxation set by the Mediterranean Sea. Tourists pour from every corner of the world to experience the town’s vibrant nightlife, excellent cuisine, beautiful Gothic and one-of-a-kind Modernist architecture, and cutting-edge design scene. This -- and the great Mediterranean climate -- means you might find crowds wherever you go, but it'll be worth it for sites like the bizarre Sagrada Familia cathedral, world-class MACBA museum, hopping Barri Gothic neighborhood, and unusual Parc Guell.

• 17-minute drive from Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN)
• 3-minute walk to tree-lined Las Ramblas promenade
• 8-minute walk to nightlife of El Born
• 12-minute walk to the Port of Barcelona
• 15-minute walk to Mercat de la Boqueria public market for shopping
• 8-minute drive to El Tablao de Carmen for flamenco dancing
• 11-minute drive to Antoni Gaudí's famously eye-catching Sagrada Família church
• 13-minute drive to the quirky Casa Milá (La Pedrera) building designed by Antoni Gaudí
• 15-minute drive to Passeig de Gràcia for high-end shopping and dining
• 16-minute drive to the Camp Nou (FC Barcelona) soccer stadium
• 18-minute drive to Monestir de Pedralbes, a former monastery that is now a museum
• 29-minute drive to Collserola Park
• 30-minute drive to Tibidabo for panoramic views of the city and the coastline

Rooms here are spacious, and a largely white-on-white color scheme makes them feel even larger and brighter. Simple, gray-and-white bedspreads sit against matching walls, and desks with crushed-velvet chairs sit underneath flat-screen TVs. Free Wi-Fi comes standard in each. Bathrooms are modern, with slate tiling, makeup mirrors, and shower/tub combos.

The standout feature here is the rooftop terrace; this sunny spot on the sixth floor includes a small pool and bar and restaurant. The hotel also has a breakfast room where guests can order light bites, and a small Internet nook in the lobby. There's no gym.