In historic Port Vell, near metro station and trendy Born neighborhood
Boutique hotel vibe with features and services of upscale chain hotel
Rooftop Mare Nostrum
Terrace with pool, bar, and port views
Excellent buffet
breakfast with hot and cold options
Welcome drink on arrival
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Basic Rooms are small
Views from some Double
Port Rooms disappoint
Breakfast not included in some rates
On-site Hollywood
Restaurant does not serve lunch or dinner
The 58-room H10
Port Vell is a branch of the Spain’s upscale H10 Hotels chain and has an
intimate, boutique vibe. Its location at the edge of Barcelona’s Ciutat Vella
on the Mediterranean Sea is both beautiful and convenient to major tourist hotspots, shops, and restaurants. Along with a small bar in the lobby there's the rooftop Mare
Nostrum Terrace, which features a small plunge pool and bar. Travelers looking to stay closer to
La Rambla can try Hotel Espana Ramblas, which has equally stylish rooms and an
excellent on-site restaurant, but lacks a pool and can be more expensive than
H10 Port Vell.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Boutique hotel vibe with Spain's H10 Hotels chain's upscale amenities
The hotel’s intimate
lobby offers a sleek and contemporary contrast to its historic exterior, which
stands out since some of the buildings on the same block are poorly maintained. Chartreuse retro furniture matches the walls and area rugs, and makes an
eye-catching visual statement against the dark marble floors. The vibe is immediately welcoming and even a little playful, with plenty of comfortable seating
throughout the lobby to sip the welcome drink provided by the hotel or an evening cocktail from the lobby bar. Guests include
business and independent travelers, including couples.
Location
Port Veil location, walking distance to trendy shopping in El Born and restaurants in Port Vell
The H10 is situated in Barcelona’s
historic Port Vell neighborhood, in an area with a high concentration of shops, bars, and restaurants. The even trendier Born district is just across Passeig
d’Isabel II, less than five minutes away on foot. The Barceloneta metro station
is around the corner and serves destinations such as Gaudi’s famous Sagrada Familia and
Parc Guell, though these trips can take up to half an hour. The Eixample
neighborhood can be reached in less than 20 minutes. La Rambla is within a 15-minute walk, as are the narrow, winding lanes of
Barri Gotic (the Gothic Quarter). Taxis to El Prat International Airport take about 20 minutes, and the same
journey can be done in an hour on public transportation.
Rooms
Bright, cozy rooms with thoughtful design details, though port views vary
Every room is attractive
and bright, with a simple, contemporary design scheme that contrasts white linens
and abstract, circular wall art against stained wood floors and dark shelving.
Basic Rooms are small and upgrading to Double Rooms means more space, while Double
Port Rooms have small balconies looking out over the port. However, the balcony views from the lower floors aren’t spectacular, with
an unattractive building and parking lot interrupting the sightline. Thoughtful
details -- such as radiant light-box nightstands and wall hangings that double as light
fixtures -- add extra brightness in the rooms, all of which have 42-inch
flat-screen TVs, safes, mini-fridges with minibars, desks, and Nespresso coffee machines. Bathrooms have dark tiles, wood-paneled
vanities, terrycloth bathrobes, and walk-in showers, which are large in Double
Rooms, though when we visited, we noticed some water stains and calcification
in a few of the showers.
Features
Rooftop terrace with plunge pool and cute lobby bar
The seasonal Mare Nostrum
Terrace on the hotel’s roof is casual yet chic, with a small plunge pool,
plenty of lounge chairs, sofas, and tables, as well as a bar. The views of
Barcelona’s historic port from the terrace are excellent. Hollywood Restaurant,
just off the lobby and bar, is outfitted with black-and-white portraits of
erstwhile celebrity icons, and serves a great breakfast buffet with hot and cold
options, included in some room rates. The restaurant is
not open for meals other than breakfast, though full room service is offered
through an off-site caterer, and the lobby bar serves snacks, coffees, and
drinks until late in the evening. A workstation with a PC is available for guest use and Wi-Fi is
free throughout the hotel. The 24-hour front desk can arrange laundry and
concierge services, and there are free newspapers in the lobby. As of mid-2015, the H10 was planning to open a fitness center within weeks -- guests wanting to ensure the chance to work out should double check with the hotel for the latest updates.
