Presse

Why this is fast becoming THE place to stay in Barcelona: How the lavish Cotton House Hotel weaves its silky magic

The feel is a mixture of neoclassical and colonial gentleman's club - like stepping inside a Merchant Ivory film
Cotton House Hotel stands on the site of the former headquarters of the Cotton Textile Foundation in Barcelona
It was bought by Marriott, which refurbished it and opened it in January this year as part of its Autograph Collection
Everything about the Cotton House is classy - stunning beyond estimation with rooms that demand to be savoured

The views from the new Cotton House hotel in central Barcelona aren't at all memorable.

There are dull buildings at the back blocking a sea view and a pleasant but not spectacular avenue at the front - the Gran Via De Les Corts Catalanes in the Eixample District.

I don't care one iota, though. The reason? The hotel itself is one of the best views I'll ever experience in Barcelona.

But let's start with the outside.

Firstly, it's wonderfully discreet. It's too classy to trumpet its presence.

There are two shrubs in pots and a piece of branded carpet - but you could walk right on past this 19th century building without realising you've just passed by one of the most splendid hotels in town.

I step inside with my chum James and begin the nodding of approval without delay.

It's a distinguished hotel that makes you feel relaxed and urbane just by virtue of being inside it.

The feel is a mixture of neoclassical with a dash of tropical 1930s' colonial gentleman's club - a bit like stepping inside a Merchant Ivory film.

Notice of forthcoming design cues is given on the reception desk with a massive vase of cotton twigs.

Though I guess the name also signals that a cotton theme might crop up somewhere.

The hotel stands on the site of the former headquarters of the Cotton Textile Foundation but was recently bought by the Marriott group which refurbished it and opened it in January this year as part of its generally-very-swish Autograph collection.

Further in and marble abounds, most impressively in the form of a grand banister sweeping up a staircase to the first floor to a grand room containing the concierge desk.

It's made of the most beautiful wood and is adorned with two of the biggest lamps I've ever seen. There are London flats with less volume than these.

It's the most striking concierge desk in the West. But that's the Cotton House in a nutshell - every room is supremely crafted and eye catching.

To one side are two library rooms richly populated with books, art and gorgeous chairs. A fine place to sip a gin and tonic.

To the other side is a bar that distributes cocktails in gigantic bowls - I recommend the gossypium - and coffee presented charmingly on a small wooden tray with a glass of water and a chocolate. Delightful taken to another level.

The restaurant next door is stunning, with the lighting partly provided by bookcases filled with illuminated fabrics.

At the back is a huge roof terrace full of people looking very glad that they've booked here. We make this the hub of our Cotton House operations - coming here for caffeine consumption, liquor and an eggs benedict-themed breakfast.

And the service purrs with efficiency. At all times.

Up on the top floor is a sizeable plunge pool, but with limited space around it - and no bar - we don't spend much time there. Though there is a view across to the world-famous Sagrada Familia.

All 83 of the bedrooms, meanwhile, are divided into cotton categories. But ours is just called Cotton. Perhaps the classification committee just gave up when they got to ours and adjourned for cava on the terrace. I wouldn't blame them.

The best way to get to it, we discover, is to scamper up an amazing metal Hitchcockian spiral staircase that connects all the floors.

It's a work of art.