ANTONIO PÉREZ NAVARRO

... Navarro had laid the foundation for groundbreaking thinking. He was primed to reinvent, and he began to do just that—fittingly, at the dawn of a new century—when he saw the future of Spanish hotels in, of all places, the past. By painstakingly restoring remnants of his country’s rich architectural patrimony—baroque palaces, neoclassical convents, belle époque mansions—Navarro created the framework for his new company, Hospes Hotels. Today, eight of Navarro’s hotels have dramatically revamped the Spanish luxury market, and they are set in some of the country’s most storied cities, places such as Seville, Córdoba, Granada and Madrid. Based in Barcelona, the hotbed of Spanish hip, Hospes manages to stay ahead of the curve in decor, gastronomy and service. And yet the affable, easygoing and ineffably elegant 49-year-old Antonio Pérez Navarro seems most proud of one thing: the ability to offer his guests a good night’s sleep. "Sleep is our top priority! We take care of every detail that enhances a good night of sleep: the food, the ambience, the sheets, the beds, the noise level, even relaxation through our Bodyna spas. Restful sleep is the factory of your energy for tomorrow, and, as simple as it sounds, life really is better when you sleep well."