Latest news with #PedroAlmodóvar
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Adult Swim's ‘Women Wearing Shoulder Pads' Gives Almodóvar-Style Melodrama a Stop-Motion Twist
'It's [like] a film by Pedro Almodóvar, but animated,' 'Women Wearing Shoulder Pads' creator and director Gonzalo Cordova said during an Annecy Work in Progress session on Friday. The influence of the Spanish filmmaker can be seen in the very structure of the show's title and the bright colors of the sets and costumes appearing in this upcoming Adult Swim show. More from Variety Golden Globe Nominated 'Inu-Oh' Director Masaaki Yuasa Explores the 4th Dimension, Friendship and the Texture of Noodles in New Film 'Daisy's Life' Pixar Announces New Original Film 'Gatto,' Previews Joan Cusack's 'Toy Story 5' Return and Presents 'Hoppers' Exclusive Footage at Annecy Laika Unveils New 'ParaNorman' Short Starring Anna Kendrick and Finn Wolfhard: Original Feature Getting Halloween Re-Release Pitching in a Work in Progress panel at the Annecy Animation Festival, Cordova, once a writer for 'Tuca & Bertie,' linked the show back to his familial connection with Ecuador. The initial idea came from Cordova's move to the United States at age five and his estrangement from the practice of people eating guinea pigs. This turned into the overarching plot of 'Women Wearing Shoulder Pads.' Primarily set in Quito, Ecuador, the show follows a wealthy woman who moves to the country, seeking to exploit the guinea pigs and turn them into a business. But the series is also touched by the absurd: for starters, the guinea pigs are massive. 'These ones are the size of people and can be fought in bullfighting rings,' Cordova explained. The work-in-progress session showed off other intentionally silly clips of non-sequitur scenes, like a woman being told to adopt a duck in her meat business, and in response, imagining herself dancing and romancing one of the waterfowl. Others featured a character explaining being bribed with a slideshow and a woman finding the priest's side of a confession booth occupied by a pigeon. To build the show, Cordova connected with the studio Cinema Fantasma, which is also debuting 'I Am Frankelda'—the first stop-motion animated feature produced in Mexico—at this year's festival. Episode director, art director and production designer Ana Coronilla, and Cinema Fantasma founders Roy and Arturo Ambriz spoke at the panel about their collaboration with Cordova. Coronilla spoke extensively about the design work and how 'when you design for stop motion, you have to think about all the other departments of your studio—how the costumes are going to affect animation and construction.' In an interview with Variety following the session, Coronilla, who directed some episodes of the show and worked on developing its look, described how they used mixed media to manage time and the cost of set building, which also allowed freedom to experiment with the spaces. 3D printing came in handy for the puppets, too. The pilot of the series was entirely handmade, with Roy Ambriz describing how much of it evolved, particularly with puppet parts being 3D printed. 'At first we were a little afraid because we like to do everything manually,' he said, 'but then we figured out that it's also manual. The programs still allow you to use them like clay.' But much of the production design, particularly the costumes, came from somewhere even more personal: the fashion school designs of Cordova's mother. Her designs were among the first images Cordova showed the Cinema Fantasma team. The filmmaker's wife, Rachel, also consulted on the fashion elements of the series, pinpointing the most accurate shoulder pads and silhouettes associated with the era. Their feature film 'I Am Frankelda' came up during the panel, as the productions were happening simultaneously. 'The sets were literally right next to each other to the point they were just separated by black fabric,' Cordova said. 'So you just walk in, see a monster, and then you'd go to the other side and see a puppet dancing.' (Coronilla chimed in to clarify that the puppet was dancing with a duck.) Crew was often shared between the two, a process Roy Ambriz describes as 'crazy' because the productions each had their own identity and mood. 'We have a system in our 'war room,' as we call it, where we take all the decisions,' Ambriz said. 'It was full of whiteboards with a lot of cards, and it was like if we were paranoid, connecting things' (he mimed connecting threads on an investigation board). He continued to explain that the logistics came down to the characters in 'Women Wearing Shoulder Pads' using many different wardrobes. For the extras, they would reuse bodies and change the heads. Coronilla explained that just keeping track of all of the moving puppet parts was a challenge in itself, especially with mishaps. 'You'll have different situations: 'Oh, this puppet broke a finger, you have to adjust the wig on this one, we have to change the clothes on this one,'' she said. 'And you are running all the time, and sometimes you need to know exactly which puppet which animator has in which set.' As well as keeping the timelines straight, it was also a challenge overall for the studio to work in a new style, according to Arturo Ambriz. 'That was one of the main directions why [Roy] and I didn't direct any of the episodes,' he added. 'We were involved in the direction of the pilot, but we thought we have created a toolbox, and now Gonzalo needs to have access to the full toolbox, but without us interfering.' Cordova responded that he learned a lot from them about working with stop motion, one thing being flexibility: 'You do have to let the soul of the shot be what guides you and not the specifics of the shot.' Coronilla also spoke about meeting in the middle regarding the physics of the puppets and the set. 'The camera movements you can do in this environment, you have to have some flexibility because Gonzalo would have this reference, and while they're amazing, there are some things which are physically impossible to do,' she said. 'But at the same time, we had freedom and creativity to change things which we knew how to do.' The two sets existing in parallel may have created logistical chaos, but it also solved as many problems. Ambriz said that the opportunity itself was enriching, saying that for the animators, the switch from animating monsters to more everyday circumstances was a good experience. He described the process as being like a dance, the partnered productions each learning from the other. Sometimes the solutions were of a more direct nature. The team recalled cinematographer Fernanda G. Manzur using pupils from a 'Frankelda' puppet as replacements for one on 'Women,' for more expressivity. Cordova also studied erotic thrillers when considering the show's tone. 'People like Brian De Palma, we also were looking at 'Working Girl,' which was a big influence,' he said. 'What I found is if you try to imitate them, you just get a copy of a copy.' So in order to get the right fit, they went to the source. 'Back when Todd Haynes did 'Far From Heaven,' that was like a gateway drug to Douglas Sirk,' Cordova said, 'Which was a gateway drug to, you know, 'Leave Her to Heaven,' which was a big influence. William Wyler's movies like 'The Letter' and 'Jezebel' and all these things with Bette Davis and Joan Crawford—I wanted to tap into that same inspiration.' In discussing John M. Stahl's 'Leave Her to Heaven,' Cordova recalled that the team 'actually referenced that scene where [Gene Tierney] throws herself down the stairs because she doesn't want to have a baby,' replicating the tension as well as the heightened tone. 'There's also the one where she's scattering her father's ashes while majestically riding a horse, chin held high,' Cordova added. 'A lot of this series comes back to that 'chin held high' influence.' A love of kitsch is important to 'Women Wearing Shoulder Pads,' but the creators recognized that chasing that tone is a delicate balance. 'If you're doing camp intentionally, you have to forget you're doing camp, and you have to be really sincere.' The team admitted that sometimes they found that sweet spot and sometimes they didn't. But the earnestness remains important. 'You have to think that you're going to make the audience cry even though the scene is about a fucking duck,' Cordova laughed. The conversation turned to a scene from 'Shin Kamen Rider,' where the main character has a serious conversation and ends it by solemnly doing a standing backflip before leaving on his motorcycle. Cordova responded: 'There might be a scene like that here.' 'Women Wearing Shoulder Pads' will be released on Aug.17 on Adult Swim. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz & Pedro Almodovar Among Stars Signing Open Letter In Support Of Exiting Movistar Exec Domingo Corral
Pedro Almodóvar, Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz have signed an open letter expressing support for departing Movistar Plus+ content chief Domingo Corral. It was announced last week that Corral would be exiting his role as Director of Fiction & Entertainment at the Telefónica-owned streamer – news that followed a spate of other major management changes. More from Deadline Penélope Cruz & Javier Bardem To Play Married Couple On Rocky Terrain In Florian Zeller's Psychological Thriller 'Bunker'; FilmNation Launches Cannes Market Hot Project Pedro Almodóvar Blasts Donald Trump As "The Greatest Mistake Of Our Time" As Director Accepts Lincoln Center Award Pedro Almodóvar To Receive 50th Chaplin Award From Film At Lincoln Center; Dua Lipa And John Waters Among Presenters The surprise announcement has now led 144 Spanish entertainment industry professionals to put their name to the open letter, which was reported in several local news outlets. 'In light of Domingo Corral's departure as director of fiction and entertainment at Movistar+, after 10 years working to bring Spanish film and series to the top of the national and international audiovisual scene, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to him and his entire team,' the letter begins. 'During a decade that has been revolutionary in the sector, thanks also to Telefónica's commitment to the creation of original content, Domingo Corral and his entire team have championed an idea: A project based on respect for creators, close collaboration with independent producers and listening to all the partners they have worked with, without ever neglecting their focus on entertainment. 'The achievements of their series and fiction projects, endorsed by critics and audiences, are evident. They have created series and produced films that are now part of Spain's audiovisual legacy and have won, year after year, the most prestigious audiovisual awards in Spain and abroad.' Corral had joined Movistar Plus+ in 2014 and oversaw its move into scripted originals. He was promoted to his current role in 2023, as his power at telecoms provider Telefónica grew. However, his exit closely followed Marc Murtra being named Telefónica's President in January and Daniel Domenjó installed as Movistar Plus+ CEO two months later. 'In addition to greatly benefiting the industrial fabric of the sector over these 10 years and helping to provide opportunities for new voices, Domingo Corral's team has also been an example for many of us when it comes to how to approach projects,' the latter added. 'Their dedication, honesty, and transparency have made this possible. #ThankYouDomingoCorral.' The signatories include Cannes Critics' Week Jury President Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Javier Cámara, Paco León, Alauda Ruiz de Azúa, whose Movistar Plus+ series Querer was among Spain's most talked about and critically acclaimed of 2024, and Alejandro Amenábar, whose series La Fortuna for the streamer launched recently. On the scripted side, Corral is being replaced by Jorge Pezzi, the former CEO of Spanish production house Boomerang TV, while ex-ITV Studios Iberia exec producer Hugo Tomás will take on non-fiction and entertainment. El País reports that the open letter is a request to the new bosses to keep up the standards Corral and his team have set with series such as Querer and Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi (the Javis)'s La Mesias. The company currently has projects in place with Sorogoyen, the Javis and Alberto Rodríguez, along with Cannes competition title Sirat, which is directed by Oliver Laxe. Movistar Plus+ couldn't be contacted before press time today. We've reached out to reps for Bardem, Cruz and Almodovar. Best of Deadline Book-To-Movie Adaptations Coming Out In 2025 TV Show Book Adaptations Arriving In 2025 So Far Everything We Know About 'Emily In Paris' Season 5 So Far
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lincoln Center Unveils Renderings For $335 Million Project That Includes New Outdoor Theater And Removal Of Much-Hated Block-Length Wall
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts today announced the preliminary design for a $335 million transformation of the west side of its Manhattan campus, a project that will include the creation of a new outdoor performance space, community park spaces and the removal of a long-hated wall that separates the cultural institution from its westernmost neighborhood. The project, designed by Hood Design Studio (Landscape Architect), Weiss/Manfredi Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism (Design Architect) and Moody Nolan (Architect of Record), creates what Lincoln Center describes as 'a new, world-class performance venue that will greatly improve artist and audience experiences.' More from Deadline Pedro Almodóvar Blasts Donald Trump As "The Greatest Mistake Of Our Time" As Director Accepts Lincoln Center Award Lincoln Center's $550 Million David Geffen Hall To Open In October, Ahead Of Schedule New York Film Festival Sets Main Slate For Mostly In-Person 59th Edition See before and after images below. Other key elements of the project, as described by Lincoln Center: A community park featuring a lawn, water feature, tree groves, and garden for public enjoyment; A welcoming entrance that dramatically opens up Lincoln Center's Amsterdam Avenue face to neighbors approaching from the west The latter element – the 'welcoming entrance' – addresses what has long been seen as something of a neighborhood blight: A block-long wall that's as unattractive as it is ostracizing, a cold-shoulder to its neighbors across Amsterdam Avenue, including public housing complex known as Amsterdam Houses, LaGuardia High School, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex. In its announcement today, Lincoln Center officials said the project is a response to 'local communities' desire' to remove the wall that runs along the campus' Damrosch Park. The wall will be replaced with 'a series of welcoming transition spaces from the street into Lincoln Center's iconic campus.' The new design incorporates extensive community feedback from an ongoing participatory process that began in 2023, which Lincoln Center says includes feedback from local neighbors, New York City Housing Authority residents, community groups, students, and New Yorkers in general. 'The design balances the interventions made to the east side of Lincoln Center's campus more than a decade ago,' the announcement says, 'which created more welcoming outdoor spaces on the north and east of campus needed to deliver on its founding mission of the arts for all.' The $335 million capital campaign has raised 65% to-date, including support from the Lincoln Center of Performing Arts Board of Directors, as well as a $10 million commitment from the State of New York. According to Lincoln Center, construction is expected to begin next spring and be completed by spring 2028. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation is a Founding Partner with a $75 million grant that includes their initial support when the project began and builds upon their support of free programming throughout Summer for the City and the ongoing Legacies of San Juan Hill initiative. A lead gift from The Starr Foundation provides 'invaluable support, anchoring the project which aligns with its longstanding support of the arts, culture, and vital New York communities.' The project is being undertaken in coordination with NYC Parks and NYC Department of Transportation. Damrosch Park is mapped city parkland maintained and operated by LCPA. Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial Updates: Cassie Ventura's Testimony, $10M Hotel Settlement, Drugs, Violence, & The Feds 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Spain Scores a Historic Cannes Competition Double
For the first time since 1988, Spain has two movies in Cannes main competition, neither of whose directors are Pedro Almodóvar: Carla Simón's 'Romería' and Oliver Laxe's 'Sirat.' That says much about this year's Cannes Official Selection, packed with emerging talent. The double also marks, however, what might prove a turning point for Spanish film. From 1988, the feeding frenzy died for films by Carlos Saura in particular and at large titles picturing Spain's dark past from which it had happily just emerged with democracy. Outside Almodóvar, this century, in 15 editions, only one Spanish director had scored a Cannes Competition place since Isabel Coixet in 2009: Albert Serra with 'Pacification' in 2022. More from Variety MMM Film Sales Picks Up Cannes ACID Closer 'The Black Snake,' ARP to Distribute in France: A 'Powerful Story of Tradition, Displacement and Identity' (EXCLUSIVE) Tom Cruise Won't Address 'Mission: Impossible' Future During Surprise Cannes Talk: 'I'd Rather People' Just See 'The Final Reckoning' and Enjoy Tarak Ben Ammar to Receive Variety's International Achievement in Film Award at the Cannes Film Festival Now, however, France – its big festivals, networks, distributors, sale agents, critics and audiences – are embracing Spain with energy, both Spanish film and indeed TV. When it comes to Spain, the change has been long in the making. Cannes loves to 'promote' directors which have worked their way up the prize ranks. Simon won Berlin best first feature with her 2017 debut, 'Summer 1993,' competed for and won a Berlin 2022 Golden Bear with 'Alcarràs.' She's now competing for a Palme d'Or. 'Carla Simón has worked her way up, done the 'schooling' of young artists at Cannes,' said Cannes chief Thierry Fremaux, announcing her selection on April 10. Likewise, Laxe's first feature, 2010's 'You Are All Captains,' scored Cannes' Directors' Fortnight Fipresci Award, his next, 2016's 'Mimosas,' scooped Critics' Week top Grand Prize, then 2019's 'Fire Will Come' an Uncertain Regard Jury Prize. In late 2015, Spain's subsidy rules changed, ditching domestic box office performance as a main criteria in favor of a multi-point system, which for artier films prized a producer or director's festival track-record, plus first features. Spanish arthouse has flowered again in Spain, especially from a new generation of filmmakers. 'There's no part of the world where people are more talented. There are parts of the world, however, where talent is encouraged more,' says María Zamora, producer of 'Romería.' 'Film policies fomenting prior festival selection with shorts and first features mean that directors with their third and fourth films can have more resources, budgets and time which they need for their films to get where Carla and Oliver have reached,' she adds. 'Spanish cinema is changing. For Cannes' competition presence, it's been very dependent on Pedro Almodóvar who remains our leading director, but other voices are now being heard as well, says Guillermo Farré, head of original film and Spanish cinema at Movistar Plus+, the biggest Spanish pay TV/SVOD operator, which co-produces 'Sirat.' This new generation is highly cosmopolitan. 'I remember when I started, 20 years ago, going to co-production forums and we were two or three Spanish co-producers. Now, there are scores of young Spanish producers with projects going everywhere,' says Zamora. Simón studied at the London Film School, Laxe has lived part of his life in France. Of networks, Movistar Plus+ and Atresmedia SVOD service Atresplayer, Spain's biggest film-TV groups have put their weight behind younger generation auteurs, Laxe's 'Sirat' being one of Movistar Plus+'s first slate of six 'event auteur' movies, as it calls them, others directed by 'The Beasts' Rodrigo Sorogoyen, 'Marshland's' Alberto Fernández and 'Querer's' Alauda Ruiz de Azúa. 'Given traditional financing schemes, Spain makes films of a very concrete size, at €1.5 million-€4.5 million [$1.7 million-$5.2 million] budgets, which is what can be financed from TV and international pre-sales and box office,' says Farré. 'Movistar Plus+'s idea is to make films which maybe couldn't be made without us with the ambition and production levels of its series and a unique voice, In a world with so many films and series, what stands out is something that's different but which aims to reach audiences,' he adds. Spain has already begun to take France by storm. Only given a Premiere slot, 'The Beasts' won the 2023 Cesar for best foreign-language film, beating four Cannes competition winners. Released on Arte France in November, 'La Mesías' from Los Jarvis – Javier Ambrossi, Javier Calvo – has been feted by French critics, Liberation hailing it as 'one of the most beautiful series of the year.' It's no coincidence that it's France, whose large bourgeoisie cherishes culture as one of its hallmarks, has taken Spain to heart. Cannes could now signal Spain's French consecration. The Festival takes place just two months after two Spanish series, Alauda Ruiz de Azúa's 'Querer' and Diego San José's 'Celeste,' scooped in late March the biggest prizes out at France's Series Mania, Europe's biggest TV festival, Ruiz de Azua winning best series in main competition. And it may be no coincidence that three companies – Buenapinta Media, Encanta Films, BTeam – that backed Ruiz de Azúa's feature debut, 'Lullaby,' hailed by Pedro Almodóvar as 'undoubtedly the best debut in Spanish cinema for years,' produced Guillermo Galoe's anticipated feature debut 'Sleepless City,' now selected for Cannes Critics' Week. Once an outlier for Cannes, Spain is emerging as an arbiter of exciting newer talent. Yet, will its consecration be fleeting? Many of the film and TV titles now making a splash in France were produced, co-produced or acquired in Spain by Movistar Plus+. Two weeks ago, charismatic Movistar Plus exec Domingo Corral who has driven its push into artistically ambitious, auteurist series and movies grounded in the realities of Spain, attracting many of the best younger creative talents in Spain, was pink-slipped as Movistar Plus+ director of fiction and entertainment content. The most obvious way to interpret that move is that Movistar Plus+ under new management will now pursue a different production line. 150 prominent figures from the Spanish entertainment sector have signed a public letter expressing their gratitude and consternation. In Europe, France in cinema and the U.K. in TV have been robust industries for decades. Other countries have to hope that the stars align. With ones of Spain's most trailblazing execs no longer in play, Spain fears for the future of its newly won visibility on the world stage. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Times
25-04-2025
- Times
9 of the best Airbnbs in Barcelona
The way you look for the perfect Airbnb in a city like Barcelona is a little different to other places. It will probably not have passed you by that 'Barna' has a complicated history with overtourism, with protesters targeting visitors and a plan to eliminate tourist rentals by 2028. Whether this will happen, remains to be seen — but with this in mind, you might consider lesser-known neighbourhoods and visiting outside of the peak months of July and August. Our list doesn't include any places to stay in the ever-popular Gothic Quarter, Sant Pere or El Born for this reason, choosing instead to highlight special spots in buzzy Eixample, up-and-coming El Raval, quiet Horta-Guinardo and more. You'll find options from Plum Guide, Vrbo and more, as well as Airbnb, ranging from lavish private villas to apartments with envy-inducing views. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue £ | Sleeps 6 Step back in time during a stay at this fabulous historic three-bed apartment just off the bustling La Rambla. Dating back to the 1800s, it expertly combines modern and old with original frescoes, wood-beamed ceilings and antique wooden doors complementing an open-plan kitchen, modern appliances and three lustrous bathrooms. Step outside your front door and you'll find yourself in El Raval, the grungy neighbourhood to the west of Rambla, known for its urban street art, vintage clothing stores and multicultural vibe. The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) and La Boqueria, Barcelona's historic covered market are just a couple of minutes away. • Discover our full guide to Barcelona £££ | POOL | Sleeps 4 This gorgeous two-bed apartment offers guests the chance to stay in the historic Casa Ramos, an elegant modernista building, on the edge of the trendy neighbourhood of Gracia and dating back to 1906. Having featured in Pedro Almodóvar's famous film All About My Mother, it has character in spades, from ornate ceiling mouldings and cornices to gilt-edged mirrors, elegant archways and colourful modernista tiles. There's also a shaded flower-filled garden with a relaxing swimming pool to escape to in the heat of the day. Gracia's independent shops and excellent array of bars and restaurants are just a few minutes' walk away, and it's just a 15-minute walk from Gaudí's fairytale-like Park Guell. • Great hotels in Barcelona £ | Sleeps 4 Even entrance to Gaudí's prized masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia won't give you the close-up view of its façade quite like those from the covered balcony of this two-bedroom apartment. The balcony looks directly onto the basilica, which fills the entire view from the lounge area. Enjoy your morning coffee while being able to study Gaudí's fascinating designs from carvings of lizards and snails to coloured balls that resemble baskets of fruit or ice cream scoops. The rest of the apartment carries on the Gaudí theme in the mosaic-pictures on the walls and the mirrored montage headboards. • Best boutique hotels in Barcelona £££ | POOL | Sleeps 8 Surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides, this sleek four-bedroom duplex offers sprawling views across the city and up to the mountains from one end and out across the Mediterranean Sea on the other. It's just minutes from the beach, but also an easy 20-minute metro ride into the historic centre and a short walk into hip Poblenou with many bars and restaurants. The apartment has three private terraces from which to enjoy those spectacular views, plus an indulgent hot tub. And if that's not enough, you also have use of a shared private pool in the building and a concierge service. Decor is relatively simple and modern. • Best family hotels in Barcelona ££ | Sleeps 10 Situated on the elegant Passeig de Gracia boulevard, surrounded by modernista masterpieces and designer boutiques, this large deluxe apartment sits directly opposite some of the most celebrated buildings in the city: Gaudí's Casa Batllo with its shimmering dragon-like scales. But it's not just the location and the views that make this place stand out, the apartment has five bedrooms and retains traditional Catalan detailing such as bare-brick arched ceilings and metal beams. Peacock and flamingo motifs add a bit of flair and glamour to the charcoal grey colour scheme. • What to do in Barcelona £ | Sleeps 16 Villa holidays are more associated with beach resorts and island getaways than city breaks and there aren't many options if you want to rent one in Barcelona itself, so this place is quite a find. The lemon-yellow neoclassical mansion sleeps up to 16 people and boasts a games room featuring ping-pong and foosball tables, an outdoor pool and a hot tub. The inside is decorated in a mix of antique and avant-garde pieces, from huge oriental vases to golden statues and even a replica of Salvador Dalí's lips sofa. If you can tear yourself away long enough from all the facilities this place offers, then it's just under a 30-minute metro ride right into the centre of the city. • Our pick of affordable hotels in Barcelona ££ | POOL | Sleeps 7 Another rare villa-style find within Barcelona city is this Catalan modernista property, located in the northern district of Horta-Guinardo, just before the green hills of the Collserola Natural Park. The exterior of the property is just as spectacular as the inside, covered in delicate detailing and lined with colourful tiles. Inside, the four-bedrooms and common spaces are decorated with grand chandeliers, sophisticated stained-glass doors and original hydraulic-tiled floors. But the highlight has to be the shady garden, where lemon trees and lily-pad-filled fountains surround a swimming pool and alfresco dining spots. • Best restaurants in Barcelona for 2025 £ | Sleeps 14 Ideal for large groups of friends with something special to celebrate, this six-bedroom apartment feels more like a mansion from the inside. Think mirrored walls, wine-glass chandeliers, gilt-edged mirrors, heavy gold curtains. Built in the 19th century, it features traditional elements such as high ceilings and lovely patterned floor tiles. Sleeping a total of 14 people, the apartment has oodles of space and all the latest mod cons. • Best luxury hotels in Barcelona ££ | Sleep 2 Close to the slopes of the leafy Montjuic hill, this one-bedroom duplex penthouse is ideal for anyone who wants their own little secluded haven in the city. Filled with mismatched furniture, exotic prints and lots of colour, it's a cute bohemian hideaway. But it's the outdoor spaces that really set this place apart. From one side are views of the Sagrada Familia from the balcony, while the other is a large, leafy plant-filled terrace. Enjoy alfresco breakfasts looking out towards the mountains and cosy candlelit drinks in the evenings. • Best holiday villas in Spain• Best villas with pools in Spain
