Barcelona
Moo Restaurant, Hotel Omm, 265 Carrer Rosselló, (tel. 93-445-4000), is the union of Rosa María Esteva and the famous Roca brothers. The restaurant is famous for creating dishes that are perfectly matched to their wine pairings -- even to the point of having the same aromas as the wine. The tasting menu for two is around 136€ ($164).
Located in the Hotel Arts, Arola, 19-21 Marina tel. 93-483-80-90, is another creation of Sergi Arola. Known for its inventive tapas, the must-try dish is the potatas bravas. A dinner for two can run 125€ ($150).
Restaurant Gaig, now in the Hotel Cram, 214 Carrer Aragó (tel. 93-429-10-17), celebrates the old fashioned Catalan cuisine of Carles Gaig. Dinner for two costs around 112€ ($135) and features items like salt-cod cakes, salt-cooked salmon, and roast suckling pig.
The Hotel Ritz has renamed its dining room Caelis, Hotel Ritz Barcelona, 668 Gran Via de Corts Catalanes (tel. 93-510-12-05). Chef Romain Fornell blends Spanish new cuisine with his French training to create inventive vegetable and lamb dishes, just to name a few.
Canadian-born Jordi Artal, who has had no formal culinary training, and formerly worked in California, has wowed the critics by opening Cinc Sentits, 58 Carrer Aribau (tel. 93-323-94-90). He has created a hit. Artal's mom and sister also assist him in running the restaurant. Dinner for two will run about 80€ ($96) and special dishes such as filet of sea bass served with risotto are featured.
Casa Camper, Carrer Elisabets 11, (tel. 93-342-62-80; www.casacamper.com), is a 25-room hotel created by Camper Footware, a hip shoe company. The color scheme is red, black, and white, and standard rooms actually feature two rooms -- one faces the street accompanied by a balcony accented by minimalist furniture. The opposite room features a bed and closet with the window facing a courtyard. Double rooms start at 190€ ($229).
Madrid
Art collector and owner, Jordi Clos, has opened Hotel Urban, Carrera de San Jerónimo 34, (tel. 91-787-77-70; www.derbyhotels.es/eng/urban_in.htm), to house more of his extensive collection. The 96 rooms have leather and dark wood interiors and offer modern amenities such as flat screen TVs and internet collections, each sound-proofed. Doubles start at 175€ ($211).
If you are looking for affordable eats in Madrid, check out Fast Good, NH Eurobuilding, Padre Damían 23 (tel. 91-353-73-00). Master Chef Ferrán Adrià will prepare you the best burger in Madrid, among other delights.
If you're traveling with kids in Madrid, don't miss a visit to the Warner Brothers Theme Park, km 22 San Martin de la Vega, (tel. 91-821-12-34; www.warnerbrospark.com). It's filled with rides, restaurants, and shops; children and seniors can visit for 24€ ($29), adults for 32€ ($38).
Bilbao
Bilboa offers more museums than just the Guggenheim. One of them, Sala Rekalde, 30 Alemeda Recalde, (tel. 94-406-87-55), is within walking distance of the Guggenheim. The Gran Hotel Domine, Alameda de Mazarredo 61 (tel. 94-425-33-00) also has a small art gallery across from the Guggenheim.
Santiago
Two alternative hotels in Santiago will offer you a chance to stay in either a medieval stone building at the Hotel Airas Nunes, 17 Rua do Vilar (tel. 90-240-5858), or in a Parador or Benedictine monastery at the Parador de Santo Estevo, Nogueira de Ramuín, Galicia (tel. 98-801-0110). The Parador de Santo Estevo is decorated with antiques, and both are beautiful examples of old Spain.
Valencia
In the Xerea quarter, try the new 28-room Ad Hoc Hotel, Calle Boix 4 (tel. 96-391-91-40; www.adhochoteles.com). Rooms are decorated in a contemporary style, and some units have rustic exposed brick walls.Business rates start at 87€ ($105) per night for a single room.
Go to Tonuca, Calle Felix Pizcueta 20, (tel. 96-394-0555), for Tonuca Belloch-Burguera's designer women's ware. Linda Vuela a Rio, Gran Via Marqués del Turia 31 (tel. 96-351-77-46), is another great place to shop for women's current fashions.
Orange Bikes, Calle Santa Teresa 8 (tel. 96-391-75-51; www.orangebikes.net), has opened in Valencia, and offers bike rentals as well as repair services and retail sales of bikes and accessories. To rent the bikes you need to have a passport and driver's license, and you'll need to leave a security deposit.
Granada
Granada boasts three historic inns that give travelers an option of intriguing places to stay in the area. The Hesperia Granada, Plaza Gamboa 34 (tel. 95-801-84-00; www.hesperia-granada.com) has 67 rooms and is located next to the Corral del Carbón. Doubles start at 61€ ($77). Hotel El Ladrón de Aqua, 13 Car. Del Darro, (tel. 95-821-50-40; www.ladrondeagua.com) is next to the Darro River and rooms start at 99€ ($119). The 13-room Hotel Zaguán de Darro, 23 Car. Del Darro (tel. 95-821-57-30; www.hotelzaguan.com) offers rooms named after King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella and doubles start at 80€ ($97).
Majorca
Balearic Discovery, Calle Jaime Solivellas 11, Selva (tel. 97-187-53-95; www.balearicdiscovery.com), offers tailor-made travel services to people who want a unique experience during their time in Majorca. The company can arrange everything from art tours to wind surfing excursions.
Seville
If you see something you like in the Alcoba del Rey de Sevilla, Calle Becquer 9 (tel. 95-491-58-00; www.alcobadelrey.com), you can buy it -- even the bed you sleep on! Architecturally inspired by centuries old handmade materials, this boutique hotel features a central Andalusian patio, a reception area, breakfast room, cafeteria, spiral staircase, and 15 individually decorated guest rooms.
Pamplona
No longer known for just the running of the bulls, Pamplona hosts an event in July for a decidedly more two legged species. Sponsored by the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, the event is called Running of the Nudes; www.runningofthenudes.com.
Girona
Your food tab at the newly opened tapas restaurant, Lizzaran, 14 Plaça de la Independencia (tel. 97-221-81-50), is calculated by the number of different sized toothpicks you leave on your plate -- so don't throw them away! Prices for regular tapas start at 1.50€ ($1.81) and special tapas start at 1.90€ ($2.29). Lizzaran has 140 locations all over Europe and Mexico.