Hotel Casa Elliot ★★★★

Built in 1888 and home to the Marquis of Framis until the 1990s, this is a hotel with a rich history. The fully restored original wooden door and elegant façade evoke memories of a time when the building belonged to the nobility. Yet, stepping inside, the Hotel Casa Elliot **** is a world of modernity, luxury and comfort – a chic and stylish 21st century hotel hidden within a beautiful old shell.

In this sense, it mirrors the magnificent city in which it is located. Barcelona is an ancient city, its history going back beyond even the gothic and Roman buildings that make up its ´Ciutat Vella’ (Old Town). However, it has always been a city in a constant state of transition, having undergone many periods of dramatic regeneration, of which Dr Who himself would be proud. Today Barcelona is a city loved for its history and traditions, as well as its nightlife and contemporary culture – it is an old city with a young and vibrant heart.

Upon entering the hotel, I was given a warm welcome in the spacious hotel lobby. This room, which also serves as the breakfast room, exudes a simple yet sophisticated elegance, with sober tones of dark wood and cream combining with rich reds and a clever use of lighting. The entrance is not overwhelmingly bright and in one corner sits a warming yet modern fireplace. The whole effect is one of relaxation, away from the dazzling sunshine, crowded streets and loud noises of the outside world. It’s a great spot to sit among the bouquets of lilies, while reviewing the range of provided reading materials on Barcelona.

There are so many fascinating corners of Barcelona that spill onto one another, overlapping and interweaving, that you could happily wander for hours on end, if not days, and never get bored. Good job that the central location of the Hotel Advance puts it in the middle of it all, within walking distance of many of the sites.

With just 38 rooms, the hotel offers an intimate and comfortable retreat. The bedrooms are meticulously designed in the same contemporary style as the lobby, with all the modern comforts and facilities, while the mattresses are thick, soft and incredibly comfortable – ideal for resting after a long day of walk and sight-seeing!