The Barcelona EDITION
"Back up, and give us the wide-angle view of this place: What's going through our heads when we arrive?On first glance you might think what is arguably Barcelona's hottest opening in recent years looks like a 1970s office block, but don't be fooled. Step inside and you'll find an airy, chic lobby lounge, with elegant walnut-paneled walls, oak floors, high ceilings, timeless cream décor offset by striking modern artworks. This is definitely an Edition hotel. The Barcelona EDITION is right on the border of the city's enchanting, medieval Old Town and the Modernist, more residential Eixample neighborhood. The location is ideal, within easy stumbling distance of the city’s buzzing bar and restaurant scene, and close enough to the historic squares and narrow, winding alleyways of El Borne and the Gothic Quarter to allow you to check them out before the crowds descend. The location sounds almost perfect. So, what’s the crowd like?Edition hotels set themselves apart by appealing to a new group: multigenerational, cosmopolitan travelers who value the sophisticated, yet unpretentious and unobtrusive approach Editions prides themselves on. Ah, yes—we know the type. How was check in? Helpful staff are on hand from the moment you arrive to make everything feel easy and effortless. Rooms are tech forward (or tech heavy, depending on who you ask). While the controls are easy enough to use, the curtain feature is so slow and clunky, it made me yearn for the days when old-fashioned curtain closing was still considered good enough. Now, tell us about the digs.If you don't mind splashing out some cash (these rooms start at around $800 in high season), the Loft Suite is without question the way to go. It's airy and spacious, has ample seating and lounging space, and great city views. The standout feature, however, is the panoramic shower and bathtub overlooking next-door Santa Catarina market and the rooftops of El Borne. An exhibitionist's dream. Care to give us the download about the amenities?Free, fast Wi-Fi (goes without saying) and amazing-smelling custom-made amenities. The hotel is aiming to be plastic free, and I was impressed to find all the contents of the minibar packaged in glass, tetra pak, or paper. How about the room service, and dining in general? Should we eat here, or hurry elsewhere?What really puts The Barcelona Edition a cut above the rest are its food, beverage, and entertainment offerings. The tenth floor rooftop terrace is a lavish urban oasis of breezy, white fabrics and lush vegetation, serving a menu of light Latin-Asian bar bites and offering jaw-dropping views of the rooftops of Barcelona’s Old Town, the multi-colored, undulating mosaic roof of Santa Caterina Market next door, with the bright blue of the Mediterranean sparkling in the distance. On the mezzanine is the The Punch Room, a bespoke cocktail lounge where boozy punches are served in vintage silver bowls. Kick back on the sumptuous soft leather armchairs, or try your hand at sinking some shots at the bright-gold Castilian billiard table. The opulence is taken up another notch in the basement where sultry, red-velvet-clad Cabaret offers a new kind of nightclub concept, serving up a mix of sophisticated and sexy late-night entertainment. Last but not least, ground-floor Bar Veraz offers an all-day menu of fresh, seasonal pan-Mediterranean specialities sourced from under the undulating mosaic roof of Santa Caterina market next door. Before we forget: How was the service?Edition hotels are known for their special brand of personal, unpretentious service and The Barcelona Edition is no exception. Nothing is too much trouble for the competent international team that has been carefully selected to satisfy the every need of Edition’s discerning guests. Bottom line: worth it, and why?With excellent in-house bars and restaurants, it's best to make sure your bed isn't too far away at the end of the night. Book a room here and you won't regret it." - Isabelle Kliger
