If you want an experience void of all things touristy, then the Neri – a small but perfectly formed hotel nestling delicately beneath the magnificent cathedral in the Gothic district of Barcelona – is the place to stay. Built into the walls of an original, stone Gothic building, the décor is perfectly designed to bring warmth and comfort whilst retaining an authenticity with its surroundings. The restaurant is stunning and leads to a courtyard in a square at the back of the hotel that looks up at the cathedral. The library room offers every amenity the regular traveller would expect, from WiFi to good scotch.