Caro Hotel, Valencia

Pros

• It's hard to beat the hotel's history; not only does it occupy a former 19th-century palace, it was built atop remains of Roman ruins and the city's 12th-century Moorish walls.
• The location is ideal for exploring Valencia's Old Town, with landmarks like the Jardín del Turia, Plaça de la Reina, and the Valencia Cathedral all walkable in under five minutes. 
• Inside you'll find stark, modern interiors accented with original details like frescoed ceilings, exposed stone walls, wooden beams, and antique terrace doors. 
• Each room is different, with monochrome, minimalist decor and unique names like the Palace Armoury, the Marquis Suite, and the Arabic Tower hinting at their historic past.
• You can dine next to a portion of the city's Moorish wall in the on-site Alma del Temple restaurant.

Cons

• Though this building is historic, the modern, minimalist interiors may not be to everyone's taste.
• Some ground-floor rooms are quite dark, and the attic rooms incorporate skylights instead of windows. 
• The hotel's plunge pool is small and narrow—good for cooling off after some sightseeing but not suitable for swimming.

Authenticity

When Caro Hotel's current owners started renovating the ruins of this neo-Gothic palace in 2005, they unearthed over 2,000 years of history, including remnants of first-century BCE Roman columns and portions of the city's 12th-century Moorish walls. Today, it's Valencia's only designated historical landmark hotel, and it was recently awarded one of Spain's first Michelin Keys. The hotel's elegant facade looks much as it did when it was the home of the 19th-century Marquis of Caro, but inside you'll find minimalist, modern design courtesy of Francesc Rifé. Sleek lines and a monochrome palette provide a gallery-like backdrop to the ancient relics on display, with black walls and glossy resin floors juxtaposing with ancient stone arches, medieval wooden ceilings, and ornate Rococo cornices. 

Location

The hotel sits on a quiet, narrow street in La Xerea, an upscale, art-filled area of Valencia's historic Old Town. Turn right out the front doors, and you'll reach the tranquil green space of the Jardín del Turia in under a minute, while a 5-minute stroll in the other direction takes you to landmarks like the Valencia Cathedral and Plaça de la Reina. The city's central train station and the airport are just a 15-minute taxi ride away, and drop-off and pickup are available directly in front of the hotel. If you're traveling by car, the hotel also offers a valet parking service for an additional fee.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Each of the 26 rooms is unique, but all feature a minimalist design that lets the building's historic relics take center stage. Pale resin floors match plaster and stone walls, and modular lacquer-and-steel furnishings add to the austere, almost industrial feel. Bathrooms are luxe and modern, with Lalique toiletries and plush robes. The room names hint at their former uses: the Palace Wine Cellar showcases portions of a stone arch above its bathtub, the City Door incorporates remnants of a 12th-century entryway, and the Arabic Tower occupies a former watchtower. Some rooms include private terraces or separate seating areas, and one is adapted for guests with limited mobility.

Amenities

The hotel's Alma del Temple restaurant is a highlight, but you'll need to book ahead to make sure of a table. Enjoy a la carte lunch dishes on the terrace, or opt for the seven-course tasting menu of innovative haute cuisine from a dining area filled with ancient artifacts and portions of the city's 12th-century stone wall. Nearby, you'll find a Gothic-style library and an airy lobby bar that opens onto a triangular sun terrace, complete with a tiny turquoise plunge pool. A wooden bar lines the pool's edge, and the clear bottom lets you glimpse ancient remnants of the building's inner courtyard. There's no spa or fitness room on-site, but you can book in-room massages. 

Family-Friendliness

Although the Caro Hotel caters more to adults, children of all ages are welcome, and additional beds can be added to the rooms for a fee.