Who's Going
Pete Wentz, Fall Out Boy, BCN Party Girls
Reason to Stay
Design Hotel, Nightclub, Hip Clientele
Hotel Type
City Resort
A costly cab ride from the airport speedily passes Barceloneta, Olympic Port and Gothic neighborhoods where many might actually prefer to stay. Your first footsteps at the hotel are taken along a teak deck that runs the length of the hotel, framed by a single revolving glass door that gyrates without a single forth-coming bellman. The lobby feels like a more-minimalist version of a W Hotel with polished-concrete floors and sleek lobby lounge framed by 20-foot ceilings and white-glass bar.
Originally to open as Habitat Sky Hotel, architect Dominique Perrault penned a linear high-rise with steel-mesh exoskeleton in the 22th District along Barcelona's business-minded Diagonal Avenue. The neighborhood is still in transition, which can leave a first-time visitor feeling lost for restaurants or nightlife once outside the 31-storey hotel. Closer to the beaches and Olympic Port than shops of La Rambla, the location is ideal for beach-lovers looking to indulge in the city's redeveloped seaside communities.
A 6th floor rooftop is home to the hotel's singular resort area and pool lined in extravagant Italian outdoor furnishings with metal cabanas, sleek white loungers and groovy bar that extends from the in-house nightclub, Angel's and King's. For being so new, there's a lot of wear and tear on the deck that no one seems to notice while sipping on the endless rounds of caparinhas and tropical drinks. An oversize lap pool could be larger and with less-than-impressive city views despite its rooftop location. Gym phenes discover a membership-worthy spa and workout area with full-size weight room with elliptical cardio equipment and treadmills.
The Room
A DJ spins an electronic track in the background that’s a temporary distraction as the lone receptionist checks-in three testy German couples. I booked into a Loft Suite, which is located along a dark corridor on the 23rd floor lined in metal-mesh panels and black carpeting. A heavy-steel door opens to a gleaming polished white-glass with entry area that leads to an open-plan lounge and bedroom framed by walls of glass and views that span from Girona to Sagrada Familia and beyond. Rooms are built for pop stars and their entourages with red lacquer furnishings offset by fluffy white sofa and club chair. A flat-screen LCD TV offers first-run movies that few ever have time to see given the free WiFi, in-room Wii and electronic drapes that bring-out your inner 12-year old. No need to import the DJ with the B&O I-Pod stereo that can Boom Boom Pow, your favorite Black Eyed Peas, with full nightclub bass. Luckily concrete walls and floors ensure no one will hear your midnight concert. A single panel of glass behind the bed contains a serene all-white bathroom accessed through a well-equipped wood-lined closet. A deep soaking tub is surrounded in votives lit at evening turndown service, but be careful of the slippery glass tiles that require careful footwork. A basin-style sink is surrounded in oversize Aveda products with fluffy Terrycloth towels and bathrobes with a stern disclaimer. The low point is a shoulder-width shower with wobbly stone floor grate that is as stylish as it is dangerous.
Preferred Room
Loft Suite
Special Features
Concierge Level, Bikes, Rooftop Eatery, Rooftop Pool
Amenities
Pool, Spa, Lounge, Eatery, Nightclub
