catchsarah

A stylish hotel with a cool rooftop terrace like at Barceló Raval asks for awesome rooms. Indeed, pretty sleek in design, kept all in white, lime-green and pink, the deluxe rooms give a spacious feel thanks to their amazing window surface. If you’re lucky enough to get a room on the 10th floor (thanks Splendia!), the view is certainly one to get used to!

Stay connected with your mobile devices, plug your iPhone into the docking station and listen to your music while having a complimentary Nespresso coffee (don’t look for little espresso cups there aren’t any).

Fully devoted to design, the room lacked some functionality. I loved the shower that is open to the room, but awkward moments might arise should you not know your fellow guest too well. Also, as soon as it’s dark outside the pink neon light makes it close to impossible to find that shirt you wanted to wear for your night out. But no need to worry about this if you decide to go naked. Which should also solve the shower problem for you…

One of the better things to do in Barcelona after a day of exploring the city is to chill on Barceló Raval’s rooftop terrace! Take in the stunning 360°-panorama view over the city, relax in the sun, listen to the lounge music and sip a glass of champagne…

Pure bliss!

If you’re stuck in grey and cold winter, there is no better than escaping for a couple of days to catch a glimpse of sun and some romantic moments over New Years! A trip like that should be relaxing, fun and sweet and I am a fan of booking hotels through Splendia for such a set-up, as I love their collection of cool boutique hotels. Barcelona turned out to be a great choice and so did our hotel, the Barceló Raval. So here you go:

It’s situated on Rambla del Raval, a square surrounded by historic and graffiti painted buildings, palm trees and cafés, that is the place to mingle in the heart of the Raval. The neighbourhood is up and coming, but yet to be the hippest in the city of Barcelona. The short walk from the hotel to the tourist trail and the Ramblas passes through narrow passages, where prostitutes greet you and clothes are hanging outside the windows to dry. It’s lively, messy and with a real atmosphere. You either like it or you don’t. I definitely did.

The hotel is a modern 11-storey building, encircled by mesh-wire reflecting the sun and an amazing rooftop terrace with a unique 360°-panorama view over Barcelona. Must-do is to get a room on the 9^th or 10^th floor for an unforgettable sight.

Better leave it if you’re looking for classical, traditional, more conservative design. But if you’re after a trendy hotel, that offers post-modern-baroque design (I know, very precise description of the style, that, admittedly was invented after a couple of glasses of Rioja) and that allows you to stay tuned on Facebook, Twitter and the like with your iPad, iPhone (or whatever fancy device you might have) you should definitely go for it.

… catch me one floor higher, on the rooftop terrace soon! xxx