Special Places to Stay - More than a bed for the night

In a sleepy village, a top-to-toe conversion of a medieval shipyard and warehouse awash with hypnotic views; be soothed by the sounds and vistas of the grand Ebro. Bask in sunlight on the gravelled terrace (once the jetty) above swirling eddies and verdant riverbanks, as you watch the swallows' flit to and fro. Ceilings are high, light pours in and terracotta sweeps across the imposing third floor: a super-swish living area plus kitchen. The décor is an immaculate mix of Victorian and Catalan with Moorish touches – a chandelier here, a luscious rug there. Linens are of high quality, bathrobes are luxurious and the handsome dining table and chairs have an attraction all of their own. The little two-storey Casa Petita is equally agreeable, and the position of the buildings is remarkable, between an open square and the historic part of town. Stroll to restaurants and bars, hike up craggy cliffs crowned with a Templar castle, set off to discover the Terra Alta wines. Return to chess on the terrace as the sun goes down, and a glass of wine beneath star-studded skies. Fabulous all year round.