The 5 Rooms

Perfectly placed boutique B&B, with generous, comfy rooms and cool post-industrial design, plus 2 apartments for 2-4

Barcelona has triumphantly established itself as a world-class city by successfully marrying innovative style with its inspiring heritage. Yessica Delgado has taken this concept - the mix of old and new - and created a hip and arty B&B across two floors in this late-19th-century apartment building close to Placa Catalunya.

No longer 5 but now 12 spacious rooms and suites (the second storey was converted in 2009), plus 2 apartments a few doors down, the interiors are a successful union of the stylish and functional, uncluttered and boho, flawless and vintage. Wardrobes are simply curtain-covered shelves and rails; contemporary showers are powerful; sinks are solid and square; exposed brick walls and original tiles provide texture to walls. And where possible, natural materials such as slate, rattan, wood, brick and cotton are used. A help-yourself continental breakfast is served in the second floor dining space, while the apartments have fully equipped kitchens. Unfailingly helpful staff will happily assist with your stay in Barcelona. You'll be delighted with your find: The 5 Rooms offers authentic, understated style.

Highs

• Splendid location: steps from history, culture, restaurants, shopping, and well-placed for public transport
• Fantastic urban-chic interiors with beautifully conceived and executed design
• Extremely comfortable beds - truly the best I've slept on in many a year (and I'm a notoriously bad sleeper)
• A pleasing lack of plastic; fixtures and furnishings are the real deal

Lows

• No other meals are served, although exploring the restaurant scene in Barcelona is scarcely a hardship
• Common areas feel more like ante-chambers than proper rooms; you'll be spending time in your room when not out and about
• Staff are not around 24 hours; and in the apartments there's no front desk (but you get an emergency mobile number)
• Unassuming entrance, so you could miss it