The Vibe: Sleek simplicity

The Area: Located in the posh L’Eixample neighbourhood, just 200m from the Passeig de Gràcia, the luxury Ocean Drive hotel is set in the epicenter of the Barcelona scene and connected to the best restaurants, boutiques, means of transportation and cultural sites.

The DNA: A stark, contemporary façade topped with glass and green vertical vines (you would not have guessed this is an adaptive re-use of a 1991 office building) leads into an equally muted reception area fronting the ground-floor nucleus. Here the wood-encrusted split-level space features a slick white lounge bar with waggish cow skin stools and floor-to-ceiling windows, a dining area with bold-hued furnishings opening onto an inviting townhouse-style terrace pleasantly strewn with wicker and shrubbery. The sharp angles of the building make an interesting layout with terraces on various floors, including one with a lap pool (more for taking the views in, drink in hand, than for actual swimming) and rooftop bar.

Suite-Me-Up: An open-plan design of the spacious rooms and suites features full-length windows (with a solid sliding door to block the light), sleep-inducing king-sized beds, 24-hour room service and a maxibar stocked with a selection of full-sized wines and regional snacks. There are a number of suites, including one with a private swimming pool on a terrace, an oasis with great views. All the rooms are all very quiet thanks to their avant-garde insulation structure.

Seen: archilovers, Wallpaper*

✅ free Wi-Fi • size matters: 98 rooms, including 5 suites (25-45m2) (269-484 sq ft) • hotel opened: August 2017 (previously OD Barcelona) • architecture: Víctor Rahola • interior design: Mayte Matutes Juan • on-site parking (charged) • pets allowed • 24-hour front desk • wheelchair accessible