Barcelona, SpainEl Raval
Eco Boutique Hostal Grau
Eco-conscious family guesthouse
Eco-conscious family guesthouse
Three generations of family ownership shape this low-impact townhouse, where guests share a ground-floor lounge and an honesty bar.
What it’s good at
Notable
Salvaged desks, bedside tables carved from banana-tree trunks, and untreated timber floors.
Listed
Organic Coco-Mat mattresses, cotton bedding, and a room shielded from electromagnetic frequencies.
Listed
Daily breakfasts sourced from Carrer Tallers bakeries and local Catalan cheese producers.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Hostal Grau is just about as sustainable as an urban boutique hotel can be, from the organic and PVC-free materials in the bedrooms and bathrooms to energy-efficient construction.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
El Raval's historic lanes stretch outside the front door, and Plaça de Catalunya is just a short walk away.
The rooms
Natural stone showers and restored heirlooms outfit the bedrooms, which are finished with non-toxic paints and organic cotton linens.
At the table
Breakfast is served at a communal wooden table, and El Terrat pours organic wine under rooftop string lights.
How it began
The owners began next door at Cèntric Bar serving vermouth to writers, before opening this 1862 building as a guesthouse in 1960.
Barcelona
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.