Gran Via 543-545, Barcelona, Spain | (618) 248-8274
Around a 10-minute walk from Placa de Catalunya and La Rambla
Located a half block from the Urgell metro station
Eighth-floor rooftop splash pool with views of the Gran Via and Barcelona
Chic decor and design features throughout the hotel
Modern, quiet rooms with free Wi-Fi, flat-panel TVs and minibars
Ample breakfast buffet
Business center with free internet
Fee for breakfast buffet
Some rooms have two single beds pushed together
Rooms are very minimalist and spare, which might not be to everyone's taste
No full restaurant
No fitness center or sauna
Like the Soho district of New York, the eight-floor Soho Hotel in Barcelona features a fashion-forward, design-driven feel, with lots of glass, wood, sleek furnishings and bright orange colors. The rooftop splash pool is the star of the show, and features a terrace with lounge seating and a good view of the Gran Via. The 51 rooms are stylish and streamlined, and come with free Wi-Fi and flat-panel TVs. Some travelers may find the rooms a bit spare, but the hotel is a good choice for those who want an upscale yet relatively affordable hotel with a pool within walking distance of La Rambla. It may be worth comparing rates with Hotel Jazz, however, which is a bit closer to La Rambla and also has a rooftop pool.
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Scene
Enchanting design, lots of orange and a rooftop pool with views
Fronted by a glass exterior on the Gran Via with a bright orange "Soho" sign, the Soho Hotel features an interior with even more design delights: glass sliding doors covered in a wavy orange pattern, an orange glass wall with a psychedelic glow, and a room lighting scheme that transforms from "hot" (orange lights) to "soft" (dim white). Even more orange is on display on the walls of the hotel's inviting reading room, featuring globe-shaped lamps, black leather chairs and a flat-panel TV. The hotel tends to draw a stylish crowd, but it's not oppressively hip. The highlight of the public spaces is the small eighth-floor rooftop splash pool and terrace with views of the neighboring Gran Via and Barcelona.
Location
Right on the Gran Via, within walking distance of La Rambla
The Soho Hotel features a central location on the bustling Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, six blocks (about 10 minutes' walk) southwest of the Placa de Catalunya, Passeig de Gracia and north end of La Rambla. The Boqueria open-air market is about 15 minutes west by foot. Access to all of Barcelona is provided by metro, and Urgell station is a half block away. If you're driving from the airport the hotel is 15 minutes northeast.
Rooms
Minimalist and modern, with free Wi-Fi and flat-panel TVs
Rooms at the Soho are a bit spare, which may not suit those who like their hotel rooms to be filled with artwork and other decor. But they are well-constructed and typically quiet, with laminate hardwood floors and white cotton beds that are firm and comfy if not overly plush. Some rooms feature two single beds pushed together. A neat design feature is the lighting, which lets guests switch the room from "hot" (orange and bright lighting) down to "soft" (dim white lighting). The array of room amenities is good, and includes free Wi-Fi, flat-panel TVs, minibars, laptop-compatible safes and desks. Some rooms have views of the interior courtyard or Gran Via.
Features
Ample breakfast buffet and a refreshing rooftop pool with views
Guests enjoy views of the Gran Via from two spots at the Soho: an interior balcony mezzanine and an eighth-floor rooftop terrace, which features lots of chaise longues and soft seating. Guests can follow that latter view up with some sunbathing and a refreshing dip in the splash pool, which is not big but offers an opportunity to cool off. The Soho also offers up an ample breakfast with hot dishes, yogurt, fresh fruit, cereals, cheese, bread, pastries, juice, coffee and more. Also on site is a business center with free Internet. The hotel is missing a full lunch and dinner restaurant, fitness center, and sauna, but the lack of these items brings the nightly rates down a bit.
