"Walking through the front door here takes you right into the middle of the hotel’s lavish bar, a real scene-setter with an eclectic mix of locals and its design, which weaves in Oriental rugs, brass lamps, vintage artwork, and contemporary Art Deco. Behind the library-like reception is SLVJ with a Japanese-Mediterranean menu accompanied by live music and dance. The clubby bedrooms are kitted out more like a private home than a hotel, with framed pictures, velvet sofas, and curious antiques at every turn; many have faux fireplaces and small balconies for peering over the smart Salamanca barrio—an area fluttering with labels such as Manolo Blahnik, Prada, and Tiffany."