Soho House Barcelona

This Soho House feels like a well-furnished apartment, with the added amenities of a few great restaurants, an excellent spa and a killer rooftop with a city view.

• The location with proximity to both Barcelona’s beaches and the Gothic Quarter
• The orange-and-white-striped cabanas lining the rooftop’s lap pool
• The Cowshed spa and its pampering services

Barcelona’s Soho House has quickly become a buzzing hotspot, drawing chic locals to its restaurant, gym, spa and lounge after opening in late 2016. The most exciting features of the House, however, are the 57 rooms and suites ready to welcome guests who are interested in experiencing a luxurious, insider's side of Barcelona.

Rooms feature warm tones and grey-paneled walls and are sprinkled with colorful, floral-patterned furnishings that add a bohemian element to the Gothic, 19^th-century building. Soho House has its own line of furniture for its properties, but a local designer was also hired to incorporate in traditional Catalan elements and highlight the historic architectural elements.

The many amenities include the lovely Cowshed spa in the basement with an indoor pool, manicure station and multiple treatment rooms for pampering. The large gym, which spans an entire floor, features floor-to-ceiling windows, dark-stained-wood floors and state-of-the-art equipment as well as complimentary group classes. There is a Cecconi’s restaurant on the ground floor in addition to the house kitchen in the fifth floor lounge, where guests can relax throughout the day.

The rooftop does not disappoint either. Orange-and-white-striped cabanas line the lap pool, boasting views across the road to the city’s famous beaches and the Port Vell marina. Colorful mosaic tiles decorate the floor, and tables are set out for members and hotel guests to enjoy alfresco meals.

Young (or young-at-heart), hip travelers who want to be where the cool kids are hanging out. As this is a social club first and a hotel second, privacy-seekers and anyone seeking five-star service should perhaps consider a stay elsewhere.