Hotel V

The hippest hideaway in town: think V for Vejer and Very spoiling

When faced with the makeover of a 17th-century Vejer townhouse, Jean Van Gysel gave free rein to his love of eclectic interior design. Whilst many of the building's original features were kept in place - arches, beams, bannisters and wafer bricking - walls were rendered in eyecatching Venetian stucco, muted grey tiles laid in and out, state-of-the art bed and bathrooms created and a jacuzzi and pebbled foot-pool hoisted up onto the roof terrace. Antiques from Goa sit alongside funky black and white photos on glass and PVC, astroturf was laid in the courtyard: this is a hotel that aims to surprise at every turn.

But it's the roof terrace that gives this place that extra punch: the views across the city's roofscape are simply stunning and on a clear day you can see all the way to the Moroccan Rif. With excellent food, genuinely friendly staff and the most creature-comfortable bedrooms in town, Hotel V more than earns its place in the boutique-is-beautiful rankings.

Highs

• Beautiful hotel, beautiful town, close to beautiful beaches ... what more could you ask for?
• Dining up on the roof terrace with the twinkling lights of Vejer spread beneath you is romantic with a capital R
• V is amazingly quiet given that you're at the heart of the old town
• The food is genuinely special and there are fine wines to match
• Eline and her staff really made us feel like we were old friends: meeting them was a highlight of our stay

Lows

• A few of the rooms could be described as either 'small' or 'cosy', and only a few have views
• In winter, dining space downstairs is limited but you can always have your meals brought up to your room
• The price tag is far from modest