Hoxton Poblenou – Hotel Review

Barcelona’s The Hoxton, Poblenou offers the same attractive prospect to both visitors and locals: a very cool place to pass some time. Inspired by the work of Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill, a champion of colour and geometric forms, this 240- room property is practically a Postmodern Revivalist shrine to his flamboyance. Read on for the full review.

Here, 15 minutes east of the Gothic Quarter by metro, the friendly staff wear olive-coloured sweatshirts and there’s a “bodega” on the ground floor next to deep-dish pizza joint Four Corners, where you can buy (non-extortionate) bottles of lo-fi wine and tinned sardines to snack on in your room. Hovering above it all is the incredible Tope, a rooftop bar and Mexican eatery with plunge pool and 360-degree views of the city.

Where is Hoxton Poblenou?

In the former industrial now-family-friendly area of Poblenou, about 15 minutes by metro north of the city’s Gothic Quarter. It takes around 35 minutes to reach the airport in a metered taxi.

What’s near Hoxton Poblenou?

IDEAL, an art-centric space that hosts tech-forward exhibitions including rolling projections, virtual reality sequences and interactive spaces, is about 15 minutes walk away. The area is a bit of a shopper’s heaven, with vintage furniture boutiques, record stores and a chain-friendly mall (Westfield Glories) just across the road. It’s also metres from Torre Glòries, the bullet-like skyscraper you can scale for epic views of the city.

Room types

There’s more than a punch of personality at this Poblenou property, no matter the room type. There are three core room styles — Roomy, Biggy and Homey — with a few additional inclusions available (e.g. bathtubs, a little more space). All are decorated with the common spaces’ signature local quirks — terracotta tiles, faded-by-the-sun shades of orange and pastel teal, with comfy little extras from coffee bags from a local roastery and fancy amenities. The windows are generous and let natural light pour in (and block-out curtains keep it from creeping in).

Restaurants and bars

There are two eateries on-site (without counting the bodega that stocks everything from cider to sardines and the fancy Spanish potato chips). Four Corners — which doubles as the breakfast room — dishes up Detroit-style pizza, with thick, oily crusts and fresh, zesty side salads. Upstairs, at Tope, the vibes are high, the wines are fresh and the Mexican is hearty. Even if you’re not into tacos, you’ll be into this place — the views over the city are incredible, especially with a local wine in hand.

Travel for work

Downstairs is dedicated to events where The Apartment doubles as a swoon-worthy place to do business (it’s fashioned with the same style as the rest of the hotel, appearing as the “apartment” of someone much cooler than you). All rooms have spaces for working — some are small dining tables, others are dedicated desks, as in Biggy and Roomy.

Gym and pool

If you were hoping for a few quiet laps, you won’t get that at this rooftop extravaganza. What you will get is a stunning spot to glimpse the city, catch some rays and, after a certain hour in the afternoons, a place to perch while the tunes are turned up for the evening. There’s no gym on site but reception has discounted passes for local fitness centres. Why not take one of the house bikes for a spin? (They’re free.)

Accessibility

All common areas are wheelchair accessible including Tope and the rooftop and there are limited accessible rooms available, so be sure to book in advance.

What you need to know

If your kids are in tow, the hotel is swift to accommodate. Reception holds a number of helpful items for families — from free colouring books to nappy pails — and they’ll bring them up posthaste.

SEE ALSO: A Concierge’s Guide to the Best of Barcelona