Andante Hotel

The Andante is minimalist in design, and offers quiet comfort in a superb location for business travelers and tourists, alike. The lobby and other public areas have dark wood plank floors and white and black formica furnishings, with clusters of chairs upholstered in bright colors. There is no bar or restaurant in which to hang out, but there is a bank of vending machines, including coffee and hot beverages, sandwiches, and other automat-style snacks. There are cool touches, including interesting graphic messages and funky, hanging lighting fixtures. The rooftop deck has lounge chairs and a small infinity plunge pool that seems to spill over the edge of the building, with panoramic views of the old city and port area beyond. The roof tends to get crowded during the heat of the afternoon. The breakfast room is bright white with dark-wood floors and black and white furnishings. There is an outdoor terrace with shade provided by large black canvas sheets, where guests can eat their eggs and watch the people go by.

The Andante is in a great location in the Barrio del Raval, a block from Las Ramblas, surrounded by bars, restaurants, small shops, cinema and theater. The beach and port are a 15-minute walk away, making the Andante a convenient spot for travelers on the way to or from a cruise ship. The Maremágnum area is near the port and offers pleasant strolling and shopping. Metro stations dot the nearby streets, offering connections to the airport. There is a supermarket across the street, as well.

Rooms at the Andante are basic but stylish, with comfortable beds and, in many, wide panoramic photographs of the city mounted above the headboards. Rooms are well-soundproofed, with flat-screen TVs and laptop safes, but no fridges or coffeemakers. Single rooms are small but elegantly designed, with slate grey accent walls, white linens, heavy black or bronze-colored curtains, and small but gorgeous grey stone bathrooms that feel very zen. Some guest room windows are partially obscured by horizontal slats, an exterior design element. Rooms on higher floors get more light, and some have sea views and balconies that are worth the extra fee.

The crown jewel of the Andante is the rooftop terrace with infinity plunge pool and sun beds from which guests can contemplate the city rooftops. There is a small event space on the roof, as well, available for special occasions. The fitness center offers several varieties of stationery bikes and an elliptical, with a photographic forest mural that makes the narrow space feel bigger than it is. Parking costs extra and must be booked ahead. A hot and cold breakfast buffet is served each morning. Bikes can be rented on the premises as part of the Andante's commitment to sustainability.