L'Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample Barcelona, Spain
Opened
2005
Price
$$
Rated for
Design Heritage SocialOutside the door
The house
ABaCFuturistic atrium townhouse
Behind its 1892 facade, the townhouse trades Catalan ornament for retro-futuristic style, with Michelin-starred dining right downstairs.
“Interiors are super-sleek, with glossy black surfaces and textured red-leather walls, but the warm lighting and retro details… inject a warm and whimsical note.”
What it’s good at
Notable
A seven-story cylindrical atrium beneath a skylight channels natural light through the core.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler.
Hotel CRAM, a bit of both worlds: a tour de force of modern interior architecture behind an elegant 19th-century facade.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Passeig de Gràcia is three blocks east. Closer to the door, the surrounding Eixample streets are lined with neighborhood tapas bars.
1 of 4
The rooms
Platform beds come with customizable scene lighting, and soundproof windows keep the Eixample traffic outside.
Pool and gym
Bring a swimsuit.
Potted palms surround the seventh-floor plunge pool, and an indoor gym has stationary bikes and weight benches.
Angle Restaurant
The Michelin-starred kitchen under chef Jordi Cruz serves seasonal Catalan tasting menus beneath sweeping arc lamps.
At the table
Breakfast is served beneath the steel-framed rooftop canopy, with morning spreads of artisan breads and fresh fruit.
How it began
Local studio GCA Architects hollowed out the 1892 townhouse in 2005, suspending a modern hotel within its historic shell.
Barcelona
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The app
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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.