"What's the vibe?When you approach Hotel Barcelona 1882, two things don’t just catch your eye; they practically poke you in it. First, you’re only a six-minute stroll from La Sagrada Familia, which, if you want to beat those queues—trust us, you do—gives you a leg up on the rest of Barcelona. Second is the throbbing, thronging, lobby-cum-bar that purrs around two street corners. Glimpse inside the floor-to-ceiling windows, palm trees, and patterned floor tiles trigger your inner FOMO. Give us the backstory on this place.The 1882 (which actually opened in November 2018) gets its name from March 19, 1882, when the very first stone of La Sagrada Familia was laid. Tell us about your room.Vibrant design is the hotel’s trademark, and rooms nod to that without throwing it in your face: vertically laid metro tiles in the shower, mustard yellow rugs, and a mini wooden Salvador Dalí for a fun, quirky touch. The hotel also worked to be accessible to all. Accessible Rooms come with adjusted bathroom and furniture height for wheelchair users, and eschew movement-restricting obstacles to make coming and going easier. How's the Wi-Fi?Free and fast. What's the dining and drinking scene like?Breakfast is the only meal here; it costs 15 euros, but the spread, that spans freshly prepared omelets to good croissants, is worth it. Once you've loaded up your plate, head to the outdoor terrace, a stunning space with wicker sofas, tropical-print cushions, brightly tiled tables, and a living plant wall made of monstera deliciosas. How did you find the service?Unlike many hotels where service starts and ends with your credit card, the 1882 offers free experiences that disrupt the impersonal staff-guest interaction. On Wednesdays at 9am: yoga. Saturdays at 6pm: a guided walking tour from reception to La Sagrada Familia and the Sant Pau Modernist site. What's the crowd like?Ages vary, from young couples on a see-everything crusade to parents who’ve left the kids at home. How's the neighborhood?Indie Gràcia is to the left; the well-to-do grid of Eixample is to the southwest; and Poblenou’s tech hub is to the right. Don’t panic that you’re far from the shops or sea—both are within a modest metro ride. Is there anything you'd change? Besides a few bar bites, there’s nary a full dinner to be had here—a shame, as the immediate streets don’t heave with options. The rooftop bar only opens in the evening during the summer season; outside of that, you have to schlep down to the lobby and back for liquids. Any standout features?The roof is outstanding. The design is very Soho House: geometric tiles, iron shelves loaded with greenery, sun beds that recline fully, and coffee tables built from slabs of reclaimed wood. Unlike Soho House, however, there's no membership needed to get a spot. There’s also a pool—oh, and views of La Sagrada Familia. What's the bottom line?This is a jazzy four-star hotel in an area that’s traditionally lacked great options—and one with a real buzz, at that." - Gemma Askham
