The Mandarin Oriental is simply the most breathtaking hotel in the city. It has been conceived in its entirety by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola, who has created a rich east-meets-west interior inspired by classic European hotels and orientalist fantasy, with a modicum of cutting edge art and antiques thrown in. The hotel’s hefty rack rate should not be an object if you wish to see it, as there are lots of public areas to gawk at.

Ok, at 5€ a coffee in the Blanc lounge may not be the cheapest in town, but no-one seems to mind how long you linger on the oversized mamasan chairs, sipping your java from the finest German porcelain and admiring a hanging garden above. For a little extra you could have a cocktail in the sleek Banker’s Bar or (for quite a bit more) dine in the dramatic Moments Restaurants, a ‘small plates’ eatery from Carme Ruscalleda, she of the Michelin-starred San Pau restaurant.  So blow the budget and spoil yourself.