If you had to describe the Boutique Hotel Casa Cánovas in one word, it would be 'high-class'. This historic townhouse is quietly situated in the narrow streets of the old town of Cádiz. Crammed between the city's tall houses, this special boutique hotel already gives you a hint about the view over the rooftops of this coastal city as you stand in front of it. A simple entrance leads past the reception into the hotel's cosy lounge. Dark fabrics, books and candles make it a place to linger - right next to it is the imposing staircase, which offers a view of the steel-blue Andalusian sky through its glass ceiling. The extremely friendly staff and the owner Carlos offer impeccable service and are always available for a nice chat (and great restaurant tips for Cádiz!).

The city hotel's 10 rooms are designed to a very high standard, from fine Egyptian bed linen to cosmetics from a boutique perfumery in Sicily - nothing is left to chance. The hotel's interior plays with marble, heavy fabrics and a changing colour concept for each room - occasional regional elements such as the typical hand-woven Andalusian blinds made of esparto grass that adorn the windows of the rooms round off the concept.

On the top floor is the hotel's roof terrace, which not only offers a fabulous view but also plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sun. The hotel has also opened a restaurant right next to it, where the simple regional breakfast is served in the morning.

The unbeatable location of the hotel is a perfect base to discover the endless little alleys of Cádiz. The immediate vicinity offers hundreds of small boutiques and restaurants - in the time of the famous Carnaval of Cádiz, a stay is therefore even more worthwhile. The only drawback is the obvious difficulty of parking on site, but a few hundred metres away there are two large car parks within easy walking distance.

A stay at Casa Cánovas leaves nothing to be desired for the discerning city traveller. Carlos and his team have managed to create a special place for boutique hotel lovers and aesthetes - and all this in the middle of the historic old town of Cádiz, just a few hundred metres from the Atlantic Ocean.