My friend Garrick leads a life that in many ways is similar to my own life. He is fabulous, maybe even more fabulous than me, and he knows how to live, eat, and travel in a way that allows one to maximize hedonism while fiercely appreciating the situation. He and his lovely wife Amy recently returned from what sounded like a bang-up trip to London, Spain, and Morocco and were kind enough to distill their months of research and planning and experience into one sweet little hotel guide for me! So if you find yourself going Iberian in the near future... by all means, you WANT to listen to these people. Trust me on that one! They have not yet led me astray. And, you will notice that in some cities they even tried out a couple of different places.

  


So consider this a guest post... Garrick, take it away!


LONDON - The Hoxton Hotel
This place ruled.  Totally stylish, super cheap (under 99 pounds) and location couldn't be better.  In the hip Hoxton/Shoreditch area, which is walking distance to all the tourist spots as well.

BARCELONA - Hotel Pulitzer
One of the best hotels we stayed at in Spain.  Everything was flawless: design, cleanliness, service and food.  Amazing rooftop bar.  Located centrally on the Placa Catalunya.  Would stay a month here.

BARCELONA - Cocoon Apartment
We got a studio with private deck from this rental company.  It was located in the uber-hip (think Mission, but more sulking) El Raval neighborhood.

GRANADA - Palacio del Patos
This is the palce Amy said was way too cool for her.  It is probably the most stylish room I've ever stayed in.  In true TabletHotel fashion, style trumped substance, but what a fun place to stay!

GRANADA - Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol
This is the best place we stayed in Spain.  Simple, yet tasteful B&B style house with wonderful garden that overlooked the city and the mountains.  The soul of this place is the owner.  Unbeatable.

CORDOBA - Palacio del Bailio
Same owners as the Palacio del Patos.  Contemporary modern design.  Built over Roman ruins.  Fabulous garden/pool area.  Check out the pics.  Their amazing.  Again, style over substance, but again, we had a blast.  The food is insanely good.

SEVILLA - Petit Palace
This is probalby the most mediocre hotel of the trip, but was totally fine.  Like a stylish Holiday Inn.  Can't beat the location, down the street from very fun tapas bars and the famous cathedral.

SEVILLA - Loft 3
This place was too good to be true.  A *beautiful* new condo in a great neighborhood for $150 euros a night!  Way too cheap for this place.  The building incorporates an ancient wall in it's design.

ALGECIRAS - AC Algeciras
Totally serviceable hotel from ubiquitous chain.  Like the Petit Palace, stylsih but ultimately staid.

MALAGA - Molina Lario
GREAT hotel.  This place was akin to the Hotel Pulitzer in Barcelona.  Totally contemporary design with great food and service.  Highly recommended.

FES, MOROCCO - Dar Roumana
Probably the most amazing hotel of our trip.  You have to see it to believe it.  The detail of this refurbished old Dar is astounding.  The staff, food, rooms and common areas were amazing.  Great outdoor, rooftop lounge area with view of the entire medina.  I would go to Morocco again just to stay here.


Bonus Round! Some of my favorite past travel posts:

• Where To Eat (And More) In Mexico City
• Paradoxically The French Paradox Is In Dublin (Ireland)
• Where To Eat In Nice (France)
• Where I Eat In LA, Part 1 - Versailles Cuban Restaurant
• Where I Eat In LA, Part 2 - Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles