Casa Camper Barcelona

Though camper means “peasant” in Catalan, guests will never feel deprived in this all-inclusive hotel.

• All food and non-alcoholic drinks included in the price of the room, which can be enjoyed anytime of day or night in the stylish lobby lounge, on the rooftop terrace, or in your room
• Complimentary city maps designed by Argentinian graphic designer America Sanchez. In addition to being beautiful, the map’s clutter-free design makes it easy to personalize your daily itinerary
• Hip Dos Palillos restaurant is right next door to the hotel, and the concierge can score a hard-to-get reservation at the 12-seat chef’s table.

“Extras” like bikes, a private lounge/day-room for every guest room and fresh and healthy food items available throughout the day are all part of the standard room rate at Casa Camper Barcelona. With just 40 rooms, the property has a warm familial vibe (guests seem to naturally smile and say ‘hello’ to each other at breakfast and in the elevator) that is reinforced by the helpful and knowledgeable staff. Though Casa Camper is intentionally unostentatious, you can rest assured that everything here is of the highest quality.

Though it is just a two-minute walk from Las Ramblas, the small and crooked Carrer d’Elisabets in the historic Raval quarter feels worlds away from the noisy and crowded main drag. The 19th century building was converted into a hotel in 2005 and feels very much integrated into the real city, as it is conveniently located just a few blocks from the city’s contemporary art museum, MACBA.

The Camper brand (founded and still run by a Mallorcan family with over 100 years of experience in shoemaking) has winningly applied its footwear credo—true luxury is ease and simplicity—to the travel experience. Small, but well-thought-out details create an overall civilized and relaxing environment. For example, instead of tiny plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles, Camper’s unbranded bath products are in large refillable dispensers. Similarly, instead of stocking each room with a minibar full of unhealthy and expensive snacks, the hotel offers fresh salads, yogurts, fruit, and sandwiches in the self-serve lobby cantina, 24 hours a day, free of charge.

The design of the hotel is also simple and practical; luxurious without being lavish. The red, white, and black decorated rooms are spacious, yet sparsely appointed with industrial-chic accessories like Tolomeo bedside lamps, hammocks, and Shaker-inspired wall hooks (an ingenious solution for keeping items in easy reach without causing clutter.) Handwriting-inspired typography throughout the hotel playfully communicates useful information everywhere from the elevator to the shower knobs. The naturally lit bathrooms have large windows that look onto a vertical garden comprised of over 100 potted aspidistra plants.

Though the Casa Camper roof does not have a pool or a bar like other luxury hotels in Barcelona, it is still a lovely place to enjoy the view over the Raval neighborhood and boasts tables, lounge chairs and a small herb garden. With some nuts and olives from the lobby cantina, this becomes a great spot to relax—like your own personal roof deck. The small basement level gym features state-of-the-art equipment and a sauna.

Hip, urban travelers will appreciate the quirky design and low-key attitude of this hotel. Families will also do well here as many guestrooms have a separate room across the hallway—technically a lounge—but which can easily sleep a tween or teen. For those traveling with younger children, the corner suites are a better option because the lounge is attached to the bedroom, separated by a sliding wood door.