H10 Casanova

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes is a beast. It’s a multi-lane artery pumping the lifeblood—and a fair amount of the exhaust—of Barcelona through its veins. It is loud, it is relentless, and it is quintessentially Eixample. Standing on the corner of Gran Via and Carrer de Casanova, you’re in the thick of the city’s grid, a place where the 19th-century dreams of Ildefons Cerdà meet the 21st-century reality of delivery scooters and late-night revelers. But then there’s the H10 Casanova. It’s housed in a grand 18th-century building that has seen the city transform from a walled fortress into a global playground. You walk through those doors and the roar of the street suddenly dies. It’s replaced by the low hum of curated playlists, the scent of expensive lobby candles, and the cool, indifferent efficiency of a well-run hotel.

This isn't one of those hotels trying to sell you a fake version of 'Old World' Spain. The bones are old, sure, but the guts are pure modernism. The lobby, the Ona Lounge, is all sleek lines and moody lighting—the kind of place where you can actually imagine having a conversation over a gin and tonic without having to shout over a busker. It’s a refuge for the traveler who wants to be in the center of the action but doesn't necessarily want to live in the middle of a mosh pit. When you're looking for where to stay in Barcelona, this balance is the holy grail.

The rooms follow suit. They are clean, white-on-white affairs with dark wood accents that feel more like a high-end apartment than a standard-issue hotel room. If you’re lucky, you get a balcony overlooking Gran Via. It’s the best seat in the house for watching the city wake up, though if you’re a light sleeper, you’ll be thankful for the double-glazing that keeps the midnight sirens at bay. The beds are the kind you sink into and contemplate never leaving, which is a dangerous proposition when the Gothic Quarter is only a ten-minute walk away.

But the real reason people talk about this place is the Despacio Spa. In a city that can be as exhausting as Barcelona, having a subterranean lair dedicated to steam, water, and silence is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. It’s small, intimate, and far removed from the frantic energy of the Ramblas. Then there’s the Sky Bar. Let’s be honest: the pool is a plunge pool. Don't come here expecting to do Olympic laps. Come here for the view. When the sun starts to dip behind Montjuïc and the sky turns that bruised purple color, sitting up there with a drink in hand makes the struggle of navigating the airport and the crowds feel entirely worth it.

Is it the most 'authentic' Catalan experience? Probably not. You won't find a grandmother curing ham in the basement. But it is an honest one. It’s a high-functioning, stylish, and strategically located base of operations in one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona. It’s for the person who appreciates the history of an 18th-century facade but really just wants a rain shower that works and a fast connection to the world outside. It’s a professional’s hotel, a grown-up’s hotel, and in a city that often feels like a theme park, that’s a hell of a recommendation.