Sunborn Hotel

Ocean Village, Gibraltar

This may look like a cruise ship. It may float like a cruise ship and have all the luxury amenities of a cruise ship, but it’s a fraud; it’s a permanently moored hotel and doesn’t even have an engine. Bespoke built and then shipped across from Malaysia to be docked in Gibraltar, financially it benefits from not having to demolish buildings, excavate land and pay local builders. The savings are reflected in the price: £160 for a double room. It’s nothing short of five-star luxury. Rooms are huge and beautifully designed, with everything from lights to curtains controlled at the touch of a button.
A pool terrace and cocktail bar is the place to be seen in the daytime, while an all-night casino keeps things interesting after dark. The food offering is strong, with produce and chefs shipped across from neighbouring Spain. A Sunday brunch showcases the best in Spanish/ British fusion and does both markedly well. Day trips up to the Rock are a must. Take a cable car (£15) to the top and spend the afternoon winding your way down, dodging the roguishly playful native Barbary macaque monkeys as you go. MS, sunbornhotels.com