The Wittmore

Featuring British-inspired design, the Wittmore is a stylish boutique hotel located in a historic area of Barcelona and close to many attractions.

• The hotel’s discreet entrance down an alleyway in the Gothic Quarter
• The rooftop terrace complete with a lap pool, lounge chairs and bar
• Their straightforward rules: “Adults Only. No pets. No photos.”

The Wittmore’s nondescript entrance down a hidden alleyway in the Gothic Quarter makes the hotel feel exclusive and elegant from the outset. Upon entering the lobby, where a large portrait of Sir Wittmore hangs, the sultry mood is further set with dark lighting and thick red curtains. Slightly reminiscent of New York’s Gramercy Park Hotel (may it rest in peace), the Wittmore feels bohemian and romantic, featuring many shades of reds throughout.

The British-themed décor comes through in the small details. There are salt and pepper shakers made to look like English terriers kissing, plaid wool chairs surrounding black-lacquer coffee tables and in the library, a wall-to-wall bookshelf and large (and in the winter, roaring) fireplace. The gilded bar serves up 1950’s-inspired cocktails, helpfully rated from 1 - 10 on the menu for guests to gauge potency. Games such as backgammon are set out, so it’s no surprise that many choose to hang out there for hours.

The hotel’s 22 rooms range from ‘Tiny’ to ‘XXLarge,’ and all overlook the light-filled inner courtyard and vertical garden. Though small, rooms are nonetheless plush and comfortable, and keep to the hotel’s design theme with velvet-paneled walls and plaid carpeting. The bathrooms are decorated with white subway tiles and stocked with thoughtful amenities such as Marvis toothpaste.

In addition to the impressive lounge area on the ground floor, there is also a sleek rooftop complete with a small lap pool and seasonal bar. Guests can lay out on the lounge chairs and order cocktails and appetizers. On certain summer nights, a DJ spins hip tracks throughout the evening.

Couples and trendsetters looking for a sexy boutique option in a historic area of Barcelona. First-time visitors to Barcelona seeking more of an authentic Catalan experience should consider other options.