Hotel Atenea Port Barcelona Mataro

This isn't the kind of place to come for those looking to enjoy an urban escape, but travelers seeking a polished waterside hotel for a few-day retreat are in luck at this simple, yet stylish property. This hotel is housed in a basic, modern four-story gray building with a few palm trees out front. Guests enter the large, open lobby through glass doors. A huge sculpture in the center of the lobby is surrounded by seating where guests can hang out. The hotel has a well-liked restaurant and bars as well, plus a rooftop pool with views of the sea. When combined with the sleek wellness center, this is the kind of place for those seeking to unplug without completely detaching from the modern world. It draws all sorts of guests, from leisure travelers to families and business travelers.

This hotel sits on a promenade that's lined with several restaurants and entertainment areas, overlooking Mataro's port. The beach can be reached in about five minutes on foot, and the center of the town of Mataro is about a 15-minute walk. There are a few cultural sights in town, including Nau Gaudi, a small art museum that's a five-minute walk from the property, and the ruins at Villa Romana de Can Lauder, a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Barcelona is about a 30-minute drive south, or about 45 minutes away by public transportation, and there's a train station near the hotel that can be reached in about 15 minutes on foot. The Costa Brava region -- filled with seaside resorts -- is about an hour and 20 minutes north. Barcelona-El Prat Airport can be reached in 40 minutes by car or 90 minutes by public transportation. 

The hotel offers 95 rooms with sea views and 10 apartments. All are modern and fresh, with beachy color schemes of blue and taupe, clean-lined light wood furniture, wood floors, and white walls. Artwork depicts an abstract beach scene, with pops of color from the paintings being picked up in soft furnishings throughout the rooms. Amenities include wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, minibars, air-conditioning, and safes. Bathrooms are contemporary, and come with hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, the hotel's own brand of toiletries, and tiled walk-in showers. The dark tiling, sharp fixtures, and sleek lines have an almost sexy quality to them. Balconies are furnished with cushioned wicker chairs and have lovely views of the harbor. Apartments have a bedroom, living area with a sofa bed, and a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, stove top, and microwave. Bathrooms in the apartments have tubs and a separate shower, plus a bidet. Views from the balconies are of the city. 

Guests can start their day with a breakfast buffet that includes a generous spread hot and cold options (for a fee). For lunch and dinner, the hotel's restaurant, Nuus, is a lovely space with huge sculptural light fixtures hanging overhead. Bright blue glasses add a splash of color to the otherwise neutral room. Gold wave sculptures serve as room dividers. A bar on the terrace by the pool has deep wicker sofas and chairs as well as cafe tables and chairs. There's also a chic bar cafe inside. The rectangular outdoor pool by the harbor is surrounded by a wooden deck with lounge chairs. There are no umbrellas, but the building provides shade on one side and there are a few palm trees. The wellness center is a chic and stylish space, with an indoor whirlpool, as well as a steam bath and mist shower. It also offers spa services and a fitness enter that's equipped with modern cardio and weight-training equipment. It has floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the pool. A reading room with comfy sofas and chairs and a long table provides two computers and a printer for guests to use, as well as books and magazines. Artwork on the walls is for sale. The kids club entertains the little ones with toys and games in the summer months, and there's a small playground near the rooftop pool terrace as well. Five events spaces can accommodate gatherings of from 10 to more than 500 people.