Hôtel de la Cité – MGallery by Sofitel, Carcassonne, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
This little ivy-clad Neo-Gothic-style castle built in the early 1900s on the site of a former bishop's palace plays host to characterful rooms, a historic cellar (perfect for private wine-tastings or VIP dining experiences), secret passageways, a pocket-sized garden pool, the Cinque Monde Spa (a favourite with celebs), and La Barbacane – the only Michelin-starred restaurant within the medieval walled citadel of Carcassonne. And they have many ideas on how to explore the very best of this fairytale fortress and its surrounds, too.