Get lost at Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella, a hidden urban retreat on the outskirts of the Old Town with a hint of sea breeze and artistic edge.
VISUALS & WORDS: Jasmine Perrier at Studio J•T•P
This feature is produced in collaboration with Motel One
Motel One is a hotel chain from Germany known for their budget-friendly design hotels, and their first-ever Spanish property in Barcelona is no exception. Nestled in the lively neighborhood of El Born, steps away from the picturesque Parc de la Ciutadella and Arc de Triomf — both monuments of the 1888 Barcelona World Fair — the three-star hotel combines a noteworthy contemporary style, great comfort, and extremely good value for money in the heart of Barcelona. You may not take notice of the cube-shaped understated building at first glance, but it is quite another world inside.
The entrance from Passeig de Pujades leads to a vibrant lobby and spacious lounge area embellished with eye-catching chandeliers, rustic pendant lights, and trendy armchairs by designer Patricia Urquiola — in addition to swing chairs that guests can find in the courtyard and around the bar. Inspired by the local architecture and cultural heritage, all elements create a playful and poetic urban oasis that is a breath of fresh air in the Mediterranean city. It does feel like the place is aligned with the neighboring park with the prevalent nod to the historical structures, fauna, and flora brought to life throughout the hotel by the work of Spanish artists like Anaïs Senli and illustrator Lara Costafreda, who is behind the delightful murals you see at the reception desk as well as in the rooms.
If you travel by car, there is an underground private parking from 20€ per night, and it is conveniently connected to the hotel so you can directly take the elevator to your floor from there. Then, Barcelona’s Motel One has an unbeatable location which makes the major sightseeing destinations and restaurants a block away. Within 20 minutes, we were able to reach the Plaça Reial or the seafront promenade on foot. The farthest parts of the city are as easily reachable by public transport — there is a bus stop right in front of the building and the closest metro station (Arc de Triomf) takes a six-minute walk.
Carpeted corridors showcasing Spanish-style floor tiles lead the way to the 301 pet-friendly rooms spread across seven floors. All bedrooms are thoughtfully decorated with a refreshing palette of tropical blue and soothing greens. For convenience, all rooms are the same sizes — the only difference will be the view and some also have small terraces facing the courtyard. For our two nights, we were upgraded to a standard room on the sixth floor peacefully facing the park (THE ONE with view), which may be the best option to make the most of your stay at Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella.
Each room is quite compact and designed for up to two people. Facilities are basic, but you sink into comfort with wide luxurious beds and a modern bathroom kept minimal and clean to create a tranquil retreat whenever you want to relax with a high-quality shower with three levels of water pressure, after a day at the beach or wandering through the city. Even if we were right above the main avenue, we were hardly bothered by the surrounding city sounds. Barcelona is a marvelous place to get lost and expect the unexpected, and there is a great reminder in the room. In an effort to be environmentally conscious, guests can opt to decline daily room cleaning. On top of that, the hotel takes great pride in delivering organic products — from the bathroom toiletries which have an invigorating effect to the mouth-watering breakfast options.
Breakfast at Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella is truly a highlight of the stay. The generous buffet is set in the lounge area from 7AM to 11AM where you are warmly welcomed by the hotel members. They serve a variety of good quality products, Spanish specialties — try the tortilla — and beverages, which even include vegan options. We were pleasantly surprised by the selection of hams, cheeses, freshly baked pastries, and tasty homemade chocolate and marble cakes that are satisfactorily restocked. You can either have your breakfast inside, in a chilled and jazzy atmosphere, or enjoy the outdoor patio. Whether you are a solo traveler or a group, the space is big enough and provides diverse settings with cozy aesthetically pleasing furniture so each guest can find their ideal spot to savor their morning coffee.
Lean back and enjoy the view
There are no in-room mini-bar or tea and coffee amenities, so a small fridge may be lacking, especially during the hot days if you would like to keep your own refreshments cool. However, you can fully enjoy a rooftop deck with fresh and delicious cocktails — count 10€ for a classic mojito — or other various drinks that you can either order at the bar up there or downstairs since the top level is freely accessible until 10PM. The well-designed L-shaped terrace provides a platform overlooking the city while getting a glimpse of the sea horizon.
Barcelona doesn’t lack breathtaking viewpoints to see the endless town three steps above heaven and be filled with wonder. One of the must-see places is the Montjuïc hill which you can spot from different parts of the hotel. From the Barceloneta beach only a 20-minute walk away, you can take the Port Cable Car which connects Port Vell to Montjuïc. Only two red cable cars serve the route from one side to the other, so expect a bit of wait and cars packed up to around 15 people during the busiest seasons — which is why one way is enough to fully experience the 10-minute ride above the sea. Along the way, you get a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the Barcelona skyline, spotting edifices like the Sagrada Família. Then, you can climb higher with the Montjuïc Cable Car which takes you up to the Castell de Montjuïc. As opposed to the Telefèric del Port, you can jump into a private cable car and they run continuously.
We always leave Barcelona with an indefinable sense of happiness and feeling of longing. When the magic of Gaudí’s town meets the eclectic spirit of Motel One, be prepared for an enchanting experience. Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella gets full marks and will contribute to lasting memories.
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Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella, Passeig de Pujades 11-13, 08018 Barcelona
Follow @motel_one
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