I think Cordova is possibly one of my most favourite destinations. Or is it written Cordoba? One is the English version, the other is the Spanish way of writing it. Either way, it’s big enough not to feel parochial but small enough to be able to comfortably wander from one end to the other – if you can brave the blistering heat; even after 9pm it was nearing 40° – with a bunch of breathtakingly beautiful old buildings thrown in for good measure.

The Mezquita in this old town may be a draw for many, but frankly I’d come back again if I knew I could stay in the Hospes Palacio del Bailio, which was a new level of hotel luxe without the break the bank price tag (due to the excessive heat, it’s considered low season right now, high season prices were considerably punchier).

Words don’t do it justice so I’m just going to post a selection of photos in the hope that they do:

Hallway leading to the courtyard

Mezquite inspired room

Ripple-less swimming pool amid orange trees and roses

One thing I haven’t been able to get across in my picture to the left is the incredible dining room with its suspended glass floor that shows the original Roman foundations of the building, pillars and all. (Most ‘of note’ buildings you see standing in Cordova today were all built on Roman remains).  The underground spa also included 3 Roman baths – renovated I hope, as I did use them – but very much in keeping with what they would have been like back in the day.

History sitting hand in hand with modernity: you don’t see it done well very often…and you don’t see it at all in Singapore.

External shot (top) of Hospes Palacio del Bailio is courtesy of their website; all other images are my own