Hotel Gran Derby Suites

At first glance, the Gran Derby looks like a tall version of a building that might be found in an English town square, but the lobby inside has a distinctly eclectic, mid-century-modern vibe. Retro and vintage furniture contrast against striking black-and-white checkerboard tile floors, and there are abstract sculptures tucked into nooks that line the walls. Hallways feel a bit dorm-like, but get plenty of light through a glass-enclosed marble staircase that runs alongside the elevator. There aren’t many places to sit and relax in the lobby, though there is a terrace with a pool for fair-weather lounging. While this hotel is geared towards business travelers, the large rooms attract leisure travelers, too. 

The Hotel Gran Derby is located in Les Corts neighborhood, on a block filled with residential apartment buildings and storefronts. There's plenty of great shopping available along Avenida Diagonal, one block away. Camp Nou Stadium -- home to Barcelona’s famed FC Barcelona soccer team -- is a 20-minute journey on foot, and game day can be a lively occasion in the otherwise quiet neighborhood. The Hospital Clinic metro station is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, from where attractions such as Plaza Catalunya, Barri Gotic, and the beach at Barceloneta take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. There's a taxi stand just outside the hotel, and a taxi takes around 20 minutes to reach El Prat International Airport. The same trip takes about an hour by bus, which stop along Avenida Diagonal.

The Gran Derby's mid-century vibe carries over into the spacious guest rooms, which feature mid-century-modern-style furniture that recall Le Corbusier’s minimalist aesthetic, wood paneling, and stone tiles. However, details such as cheap-looking satin comforters on the beds and mismatched tiles in the rooms detract from what would otherwise come across as a chic retreat. Rooms have bay windows, flat-screen TVs with limited satellite options, and minibars. The double beds are actually two twin mattresses pushed together and aren’t very comfortable. Deluxe Rooms have small tables and leather love seats, while Family Rooms have sofa beds and separate lounge areas. Duplex Rooms are spread out over two floors: a checkerboard-tiled living area with a sofa, table, and chairs on a main floor and a bedroom and bathroom upstairs. Junior Suites also offer separate bedrooms and have lovely oak furnishings. 

Bathrooms are a decent size, with contemporary vanities and shower/tub combos, some of which have jetted tubs. Duplex Rooms feature walk-in showers surrounded by transparent glass off of the bedrooms, and lack privacy. Many guest rooms have eye-catching artwork on the walls, and the hardwood bas-relief sculptures over the beds in Duplex Rooms are especially appealing.

The hotel’s outdoor terrace is one of the few public places to relax and it has a tranquil vibe, with a small outdoor pool, trees, planters, and lounge chairs. A small sauna is a nice touch, though the fitness center is both tiny and spartan, with only an exercise bike, a treadmill, a sit-up bench, and two pairs of free weights. The hotel’s website claims that the Epsom Bar and The Times Restaurant are on-site, but they are actually across the street in the hotel’s sister property, Hotel Derby. A sparse but sleek conference hall can be booked for private meetings and events, as can the terrace and pool. 

A continental breakfast buffet with made-to-order eggs is served in an attractive room lined with abstract prints by Catalan artist Josep Maria Guinovart. However, it's not included in most room rates and is on the expensive side. Laundry service is available for a fee and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. An external restaurant provides 24-hour room service, but the quality is on the weak side.