But what really sets Casa Bonay apart is its commitment to promoting Catalan talent, and almost everything is sourced nearby - from bespoke bed throws woven by social enterprise Teixadors to colourful prints by design collective BaTabasTa, which adorn cushions and staff uniforms. It’s also becoming something of a hub among hip locals, who flock here to drink at decadent cocktail bar Libertine, dine at fusion restaurant Elephant, Crocodile & Monkey, or pick up a brew from on-site café Satan’s Coffee Corner. There’s even a leafy roof terrace whose summer barbecue nights draw a youthful crowd. We loved the laid-back vibe, stylish interiors and buzzy lounge. If you’re looking for an authentic slice of modern Barcelona, you’ll find it here.
Highs
- A stylish conversion of a historic building, with a distinctly Catalan edge
- A fantastic location away from the tourist traps, yet within strolling distance of most sights. There’s a metro stop on the doorstep, too
- Good value for Barcelona
- The tasty and exciting fusion food in Elephant, Crocodile & Monkey
- Friendly, bilingual staff, ready to share their insiders’ knowledge of the Barcelona scene
Lows
- Rooms are minimally furnished, but all the essentials are there: comfy beds, excellent showers, tea- and coffee-making kits
- Service at the bar was a tad slow on our visit, but we’ve been reassured they’re working on it
- We headed down for breakfast late morning and found that the food hadn't been replenished - go earlier to ensure you get the best selection
- The hyper-hip vibe won't appeal to all
Best time to go
Our top tips
- Boutique Hotel
- 67 rooms
- Restaurant & bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
The 67 rooms all share the same style: minimalist and airy, with high ceilings and splashes of colour from peacock-blue bedspreads and botanical-print cushions. Simple furnishings (a low-slung bed, a rail for clothes) focus your attention on the beautiful original features - perhaps a restored mosaic floor, a panelled door or an exposed-stone wall. They might seem a little basic at first glance, but the attention has been lavished on what really matters: extremely comfortable mattresses, powerful rain showers, smart TVs with Netflix, tea- and coffee-making kits, and minibars stocked with well-chosen local produce. You even get a few magazines from independent bookseller Blackie, which flanks the hotel entrance.
Categories differ in view and size. We stayed in a Gran Via room, which had a beautiful tiled floor and large windows overlooking the street. We loved the look of the Courtyard rooms, which come with private balconies or glassed-in solariums, and face a large interior courtyard with potted plants and laundry lines – a side of Barcelona that you never get to see unless you live here. Some of these rooms also have sofabeds for extra guests. Top of the pile are the Courtyard Large Terrace rooms, which boast a private slice of sun deck with loungers and an outdoor shower. Note that the Passage rooms face a passageway and are a little darker than the others, though they’re handy if you just need a good-value place to lay your head.
Features include:
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
The varied breakfast buffet is served until a decadent midday and features the likes of granola, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.
The main restaurant, Elephant, Crocodile & Monkey, is open daily for dinner. It's a lively space with exposed-brick walls, an open kitchen and reclaimed tables, and Argentinian chef Estanislao Carenzo is garnering rave reviews for his innovative Southeast Asian food. Dishes change according to what he finds at the market each day, but you might be treated to marinated squid with freshly baked bread and seaweed butter, or deep-fried Iberian pork on a bed of kale and aduki beans.
If you fancy something lighter, try the single-origin coffee and tempting pastries at Satan’s Coffee Corner. And do make time for cocktails beneath the soaring columns and decadent chandeliers of Libertine. In summer there’s a second bar on the roof terrace, which also plays host to barbecue nights complete with DJs.
Features include:
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Grab a bike from the hotel (they’re free for guests) to explore the city; we cycled up to Park Güell, which has incredible views over the entire cityscape, and then headed down to the beach for tapas and sundowners
- Borrow the hotel's boat or one of their paddle boards to explore the beautiful coastline
- Plunge into the nearby Barri Gòtic’s warren of atmospheric medieval alleyways, emerging onto leafy squares lined with alfresco bars and cafés, or the geese-filled cloisters of the city’s cathedral
- Or head in the other direction to the wide, boutique-lined boulevards of Eixample. This is also where you’ll find Gaudí’s most famous creations – the weird and wonderful Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera
- Make for the cooling green expanse of Parc de la Ciutadella, just a short walk from Casa Bonay. It’s a great place for a lazy stroll and a picnic, and is also home to Barcelona Zoo, the Catalan parliament and a lake where you can hire rowing boats
- Also nearby is the renowned Picasso Museum, which focuses on the artist’s formative years, and the Museum of Chocolate, whose enormous edible sculptures will make your mouth water
- Hit the beach: the sands of Barceloneta and Villa Olímpica are a 20-minute walk away
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Plantlife / flora
- Shopping / markets
- Theatre
Kids
Children are welcome at Casa Bonay, and the staff are warm and friendly to families. That said, there aren’t any special facilities for kids, and most guests are couples or friends.
Best for:
Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Some of the Gran Via Large and Courtyard Large rooms have sofabeds that can be made up for an extra guest. If you have more than one child, you’ll need to take an additional room. Baby cots can be added to all rooms.
Extra Beds Available
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Casa Bonay is located on Gran Vía de les Corts Catalanes, one of the main thoroughfares in the Dreta de l’Eixample neighbourhood of central Barcelona. The nearest metro station is Tetuan, just a minute’s walk away.
By Air:
Barcelona’s El Prat airport is served by numerous airlines. Regular trains and buses run from the airport to Plaça de Catalunya, a 10-minute walk from the hotel; alternatively, you can take a taxi.
By Train:
Barcelona has 2 main railway stations: Estació de França to the southeast of Casa Bonay, which is served by trains from France (and which has connections to London via Paris), and Sants to the west of the city centre, which is the main terminal for intercity services from elsewhere in Spain.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
Airports:
- Barcelona 16.0 km BCN
Other:
- Beach 2.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km