Parador de Santiago

Probably the oldest hotel in the world, Ferdinand and Isabella – the ‘Catholic Kings of Spain’ – built this hostel in 1499 to house pilgrims.

Behind the fanciest hotel portal of all time, it’s packed with old world grandeur, heavy dark wood furniture, casement ceilings, oil paintings, canopied beds, and polished parquet floors, with windows overlooking the pretty garden cloisters.

Expect royally-attentive service and superb dining (and exceptional wine, too) in the stunning barrel-vaulted hall, and try to peek into the grand banqueting halls.

For all that, it’s not stuffy and formal; time travellers and history lovers will have a ball.