Spain

From rowdy rock stars letting off a little steam to the birth of a secret agent, every hotel has a story to tell. While most of us never give this a second thought when picking somewhere to stay, this history is often fascinating and worth taking a closer look at. We’ve blown the cobwebs off our history books to examine 10 of the most interesting stories behind Kiwi Collection hotels.

While it’s popular to escape the city in the summer, there are hotels that conceal treats worth staying urban for, and a big one is the rooftop pool. Herein, eight great properties where you can take an above-ground plunge.

Is there any point in having a Mediterranean holiday without a wicked view of the Mediterranean Sea? Precisely. Here to help, a list—accompanied by jaw-dropping images, of course—of eight great properties that offer astounding panoramas of Europe’s most aquamarine waters.