The Spanish city Barcelona is one of the Mediterranean’s busiest ports. A great travel destination, especially for arty types, the Catalonian capital has been leading the way in many design movements including Modernism and Avant-Garde. With its tireless commitment to creativity, Barcelona now has some of the most interesting and innovative architecture in Europe – not forgetting its eye watering collection of hip bars, designer boutiques and world-famous nightlife. Mindful of its high proportion of youthful visitors, many of Barcelona’s hotels are unique, ultra-cool and surprisingly affordable. Here is our collection of unusual and cool hotels in Barcelona (in no particular order):

1. Chic & Basic Hotel

In keeping with the city’s Avant-Garde ambience, the popular and unique design hotel “Chic and Basic” perfectly blends modern with kitsch. The century old building has been transformed into a contemporary hotel with 22 foot high ceilings and older elements such as tiled floors and marble banisters. The style is anything but basic and most rooms contain a crystal shower and a light system which transforms the room according to your taste.

• Prices from €79 a night.
• To book, check prices or availability for Chic and Basic Born Hotel

2. Room Mate Emma

Filling a gap in Barcelona’s chic-but-cheap accommodation market, Room Mate Emma is a welcome addition to the popular budget boutique chain. Creative and contemporary yet friendly and unpretentious, Room Mate Emma falls somewhere between a high-end hostel and a designer hotel. All the rooms have a trendy minimalistic design and personality, style and affordability are key to the very successful ‘Room Mate’ brand. Room Mate Emma also enjoys a central location only a stone’s throw from designer stores and the city’s main sights.

• Prices from €73 a night.
• To book, check prices or availability for Room Mate Emma Barcelona

3. 987 Barcelona Hotel

The 987 is an affordable retro modern hotel located in a convenient central location. Occupying a city heritage building, the interior features fine furniture, real wood floors and a colourful decor. From the entrance you’ll be greeted with pink perspex, furry grey rugs and mauve swivel design chairs. All the rooms are similarly striking with flat-screen TVs, soundproofing and free Wi-Fi internet.

• Prices from €71 a night.
• To book, check prices or availability for 987 Hotel

4. Silken Diagonal Barcelona

The Silken Diagonal hotel enjoys a privileged location on the largest avenue of Barcelona, right next door to the Agbar Tower and only 10 minutes from the beach. The striking design was the brainchild of Juli Capella, a talented architect hailing from the city. The hotel’s exterior is especially impressive with an innovative black and white design not unlike a piano keyword. Inside, the design is sleek, futuristic and contemporary and all rooms offer mod-cons including interactive TVs, Wi-Fi and a faultless room service.

• Prices from €64 a night.
• To book, check prices or availability for Silken Diagonal Hotel

5. Hotel Neri

Housed in a renovated 18th century palace, Hotel Neri can be found in the heart of the city’s Gothic quarter. The luxury boutique accommodation combines rustic stone architecture with a contemporary stylish finish and the result is one of the most elegantly beautiful hotels in Barcelona. All rooms are sumptuously designed and include plasma screens and free Wi-Fi. Although it’s the attention to detail that’s the real key to this hotels success – personal touches include a butler service, fresh flowers delivered to your room everyday and even a choice of pillow filling.

• Prices from €176 a night.
• To book, check prices or availability for Neri Hotel

6. Hostal L’Antic Espai

The antithesis of the modern design hotel, the Hostal L’Antic Espai perfectly captures the essence of a bygone era. The acclaimed boutique hotel was inspired by its surrounding neighbourhood, which was at the forefront of the Art Nouveau (Modernism) movement. Filled with valuable pieces of antique furniture, once inside the unassuming doorway a visual feast of old-style design and decor awaits. A very popular place and one of Barcelona’s most unique places to stay.

• Prices from €58 a night.
• To book, check prices or availability for Hostal L’Antic Espai

7. Hostal Gat Xino

More of a concept than a hotel, GAT accommodation offers comfortable rooms with a trendy urban design but with a rock bottom price tag. The Gat Xino is a trendy two star hotel/upmarket hostel with a difference – for starters it somehow manages to integrate lime green decor, neon-lit areas and minimalist contemporary furniture. The friendly but savvy staff provide lots of useful local information and the Xino is conveniently located within a handy reach of all the main sights including the beach. Perfect for large groups or those on a tight budget.

• Prices from €46 a night.
• To book, check prices or availability for GAT Xino

8. Praktik Rambla

Another hotel located in the heart of the Modernism district, the Praktik Rambla is a three star boutique hotel with affordable room rates. In keeping with its Art Noveau surroundings, the recently refurbished hotel features authentic local architecture and tasteful detailed decor, retaining the character of the original building. The rooms are comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and come with high ceilings, striking tiled private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi.

• Prices from €77 a night.
• To book, check prices or availability for Praktik Rambla

9. Hotel Curious

A one star hotel offering great value for money. Chic but cheap Hotel Curious is centrally located and only a minute’s walk from the famous thoroughfare Las Ramblas. Each floor is themed by one of the four elements of nature – water, air, earth and fire. Rooms on the ground floor (water) are decorated with blue shades while rooms located on the ‘fire’ floor are enhanced with bold red tones. All rooms feature giant photos of Barcelona’s major attractions and modern amenities such as flat screen TVs, satellite, Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Definitely one of the best value cool hotels Barcelona can offer.

• Prices from €76 a night.
• To book, check prices or availability for Hotel Curious

10. Hotel Acta Mimic

The newly opened Hotel Acta is another hotel fitting into the budget chic niche. Centrally located with a trendy minimalist design the hotel is a great choice for appreciators of good value. All of the 89 creatively designed rooms contain contemporary furnishings along with forward-thinking facilities such as ‘Cromotherapy.’ This alternative therapy device will allow you to change the colour and intensity of the lights in your room according to your mood.

• Prices from €62 a night.
• To book, check prices or availability for Acta Mimic Hotel

More choice – other popular, unique and reasonably priced hotels in Barcelona

• Hotel Espana – A hotel said to be the jewel in the crown of Catalonian Modernism from €90pn
• Hostal Gat Raval – Sister hotel of Gat Xino, very cheap but still trendy from €35pn
• Market Hotel Barcelona – Sleek and chic budget boutique hotel in a good location from €50pn
• Hotel Ciutat Vella – Hip and modern budget hotel centrally located near Las Ramblas from €50pn
• Hotel Confort Barcelona – Great value large leisure hotel in a central location €53pn
• California Hotel – Small and slightly kitsch budget hotel near La Ramblas from €52pn
• Hostal Goya Barcelona – A popular boutique hostel in a central location from €55pn
• Hosteria Grau Hostal Barcelona – Small and charming boutique hotel/hostel hybrid from €60pn

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