Hotel Concordia Barcelona

The large lobby is decorated with an intriguing blend of antique and vintage kitsch, which makes the space look a little haphazard. Modern chairs and sofas are scattered between a huge Zippo lighter collection, which is juxtaposed against cartographic wall art, gigantic black-and-white photos, and sculptures and tables made from stacked pieces of whitewashed luggage. A glass-enclosed meeting area sits just off the lobby and contains a large table and an overhead light fixture made from a reclaimed tree trunk, adding yet another layer of texture to the overall aesthetic. There's also a rooftop terrace with a hot tub, a pool, a bar, and a small, pirate-themed mini-golf course, which adds a whimsical element to the hotel’s otherwise chic setting. Guests here are a mix of business travelers, vacationing couples, and tourists with children.

The Silken Concordia is located on a busy street in Poble Sec, an up-and-coming neighborhood southwest of the city’s historic core. The local streets are crammed with trendy shops, tapas restaurants, and trendy bars. CaixaForum -- a major contemporary art museum housed in an old factory -- and the Magic Fountain of Montjuic are each less than a 15-minute walk away.  The bohemian El Raval district is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and La Rambla is about eight minutes further beyond it. The Poble Sec Metro station is just outside of the hotel at the end of the block; the trop to Plaza Catalunya takes 10 minutes while La Sagrada Familia Cathedral takes around 20. The airport can be reached in about 40 minutes by taking the metro to the Aerobus, or in around 20 minutes by taxi.

The guest rooms are contemporary, but plain compared to the rest of the hotel. Rooms have wood laminate floors and white linens and walls, and some have throw pillows and blankets thrown in for pops of color. All rooms have desks, small flat-screen TVs, minibars, and safes, and Suites and Deluxe Rooms also have small sofas. While rooms have capsule coffeemakers, tea and coffee cost extra, unusual for rooms in this price point. Note that while rooms are soundproofed, those facing the street can pick up some noise from Avenida Paralelo.  Bathrooms are spacious and have marble vanities with large mirrors; some also have dark gray or black tiling that gives them a sleek, contemporary look. Most have shower/tub combos (some with jetted tubs), although a few have walk-in showers. 

The highlight of the Silken is arguably its rooftop terrace, full of playful features including a small, pirate-themed mini-golf course, a hot tub that spills over into a small pool, and a bar with poolside drink service. Bistro Triple Sec -- the on-site restaurant -- serves a continental breakfast buffet with hot options in the morning, but it's not included in most room rates and is on the pricey side. The restaurant also serves fusion dishes at lunch and dinner as well as snacks and cocktails well into the evening. Prix-fixe lunch menus are offered some of the time and room service is open during the restaurant's opening hours. The hotel has a business corner and two on-site meeting rooms; the meeting room just off the lobby is chic, while the other is average and windowless. Free newspapers are available in the lobby every day and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. There's no spa, but in-room massages can be arranged through the front desk.