Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection

Cotton House Hotel is an Autograph Collection Marriott property that has a storied past. The mansion was originally built in 1879 as the home of a wealthy textile merchant, and that opulence has endured the test of time. The building was eventually purchased by the Cotton Manufacturers Guild and became their headquarters before being converted into a seven-story luxury hotel in 2015. Many original elements -- from the grand marble staircase and gilded walls to the ceiling murals -- remain. An on-site atelier and cotton buds arranged like floral bouquets are scattered throughout the hotel, reflecting the building’s mercantile history. Today, the lobby features ornately painted double-high ceilings, distressed mirrors, low-slung couches, and a clubby downbeat soundtrack. The wow factor is really the hotel’s first floor, where the concierge, restaurant, and stunning library are located. In addition to receiving free champagne (or water) and sweets upon arrival, guests are also offered a definitely-worth-it tour. Travelers staying here are a well-heeled, international crowd.

It's hard to argue with the location of this hotel, as it's situated in the city's posh Eixample, right in the middle of town. That puts countless dining, drinking, and shopping options just outside the hotel's front door. It also places the Gothic Quarter within a few blocks. Within a 10-minute walk from here, you'll reach Plaza de Cataluña, Las Ramblas, famous El Quatre Gats bar, and the city's Gothic cathedral. Heading in the other direction, Paseo de Gracia is a tony street lined with high-end shops, as well as two of Gaudi's most famous houses: Casa Batllo and La Pedrera (around 10 minutes away on foot). The Urquinaona and Passeig de Gracia Metro stations are five minutes away on foot, making trips to the beach relatively easy (taking around 20 to 30 minutes total). Sagrada Familia is a 25-minute stroll away through the Eixample, or 15 to 20 minutes on the metro. Barcelona-El Prat Airport is a 20- to 25-minute drive or a 45-minute trip on public transportation from the hotel.

Rooms here are an exercise in balance, with both modern and classic flair. Expect to see eye-catching -- yet restrained -- details like rear-lit sketches of plants, abundant nail-head accents, and vintage-inspired furniture. While most rooms eschew the overtly elegant style found in the hotel's common areas, a few suites are available with gilded ceilings and four-poster beds. Otherwise, beds are a mix of kings and queens with gold-embroidered pillowcases underneath room-width white leather headboards. Being central Barcelona, rooms are predictably compact here, though the interior rooms can be dark and overlook an interior courtyard. All rooms have sleek picnic-table legged desks, integrated USB wall plugs, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Minibars are stocked with champagne, beer, juice, soda, and and snacks. Other room standards include free Wi-FI, Krups coffeemakers with free coffee, electric tea kettles, irons, ironing boards, safes, robes, and slippers. Bathrooms are smartly designed and mix chrome, marble, and wood accents. Expect white marble vanities plus rainfall showers. Ortigia bath products are a nice touch and some higher-category rooms add tubs. Cribs are available for free. Keep in mind that noise does tend to travel within the hotel.

There’s something fabulous about swimming in a rooftop pool, sipping a cocktail, and staring at Gaudi's famed Sagrada Familia. Luckily, Cotton House’s rooftop terrace offers it all, with plenty of seating and a bar. Down the hall from the pool is a dedicated massage room for spa services. Next door is a small 24-hour gym with a Technogym recumbent bicycle, elliptical machine, and limited free weights. Free yoga, aquagym classes, and group runs are offered as well. Bataur Restaurant -- with its vintage checkerboard styling and big outdoor terrace -- serves Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine plus a rotating themed menu that includes international offerings. The hotel’s gorgeous library and sitting rooms are usually filed with lounging guests, but they're also available to rent as meeting rooms. An atelier is located just off the library and a tailor is available to create custom dress shirts. There’s also laundry, dry cleaning, and shoe shine service. Public parking lots and street parking are nearby, but the hotel does provide pricey valet service. Wi-Fi is fast and free.