"Why book? This cozy newcomer in gritty downtown Barcelona reminds us what a real boutique hotel is meant to feel like. Set the scene “A new luxury boutique hotel? In Ronda Sant Antoni?,” is what my friend said when he heard about this place. To claim that this is not the most upscale part of town is an understatement. But while you’d be advised to keep your wits about you if you are planning on wandering about after dark, there’s something refreshing about a chic hotel opening here in one of Barcelona’s grittiest downtown neighborhoods.The backstory The building that houses Antiga Casa Buenavista (which translates as old Buenavista house) has been in the Molleví family for a little over a century - since 1918 to be precise. Back in the 1920s and 30s it was the popular Buenavista restaurant, a meeting place for the artists and performers who frequented the area known for its theaters and cabarets. The restaurant closed in 1979 and the building became a residential block, remaining that way until 2013, when the current generation of owners decided to convert it into a boutique hotel - and to revive the old “casa de comidas”, or informal eating house, on the ground floor. The rooms Barcelona loves mixing historic features with modern design and this building is no exception with its original façade and contemporary interior. The rooms get plenty of natural light from the large, street-facing windows, while the top-floor suites are well worth splashing out on for their private terraces and open-air bathtubs. The rooms have an overall snug feel, with textured walls and warm fabrics, as well as plenty of details that hark back to the Catalan art nouveau, or modernist movement, from the vaulted ceilings, to the geometric hydraulic floor tiles, and French-style balconies. Bathroom amenities are by Natura Bissé. The 250-square-foot Ronda rooms are popular, with their outdoor balconies and views of the Eixample district. But if you’re ready to splash out, the Superior Buenavista suites are well worth an extra hundred-or-so euros. Set on the top floor of the hotel, they have direct access to the rooftop pool, and, most impressively, private terraces with lots of greenery, seating and an outdoor bathtub. They sell out quickly, though, so book well in advance. Food and drink While the hotel is still under the radar, the same can not be said for the restaurant, which has already turned into a bit of a hotspot. Paying homage to the original Buenavista restaurant, this is a place to try the most classic of Catalan “grandma” dishes like roast chicken cannelloni or a hearty stew of baby squid with chickpeas. All the ingredients are seasonal and sourced from local producers - via the nearby Sant Antoni covered market - just like they were in the old days. The neighborhood/area Ronda Sant Antoni sits on the border of the trendy Sant Antoni neighborhood, the considerably scruffier Raval district and the queer-friendly part of the Eixample, known as the Gaixample. Be warned: the vibe is very different depending on which way you go. However, since pickpocketing is rife across Barcelona, you’d be advised to keep a close eye on your belongings everywhere in the city—not just here. Raval is a great choice for nightlife, vintage shops and specialty coffee, while Sant Antoni is all about the hip restaurants and natural wine bars, or head up the street for some of Barcelona’s best LGBTQ+ bars and clubs. The service True to the boutique hotel ethos, Antiga Casa Buenavista has a genuinely friendly vibe. Staff go out of their way to be helpful without being overly deferential and there are plenty of nice touches in place, from electric scooters and mopeds (free if you choose to skip a day of housekeeping - more on that below) and walking tours of the Gothic Quarter with a certified guide every Saturday morning. Eco effort Sustainability is a priority here. A domotic system is in place to minimize energy use for lights and air conditioning. The hotel is paperless, has installed aerothermal heating and solar panels and there are no single-use plastics. The products in the mini bar are locally sourced and several support local social responsibility projects.A fun detail for guests staying for several nights is that they may choose to forfeit a day of room cleaning in exchange for complimentary use of an electric scooter, or moped, or to sponsor the planting of a tree, as part of the Hotels for Trees initiative. Accessibility All areas are accessible by elevator, while one of the ground-floor Galería Raval rooms is also wheelchair accessible.Anything left to mention? This is an ideal base for young people with an interest in nightlife and trendy bars and restaurants, but maybe less so for families looking for outdoor activities, or proximity to the beach." - Isabelle Kliger
