Gran Hotel Havana

Situated in the historic 19th-century L. Fradera House, the hotel is a beauty from the outside, but as with so many Silken properties, that promise falls a little short once guests reach the generic and boring lobby, which has lots of green marble, polished chrome, and light-wood paneling. A few contemporary chairs in cream and brown shades are gathered on either side of the front door, looking out onto the street. This isn’t the kind of place to relax with a newspaper and a cup of coffee, though immediately off the lobby is the stylish La Cupula bar in the stunning atrium, with plenty of seating and a grand piano that is a perfectly lovely place to unwind. Pool Up, the hotel’s poolside terrace, is another area for guests to sip a cocktail, this time in the fresh air and with panoramic views of Eixample. The hotel’s Le Bistrot Grand Place is a stylish venue lined with abstract art, but it will be closed through September of 2015. Couples and families frequent the hotel, though with its four meeting rooms and 24-hour business center, business travelers find their way here too.

On the corner of one of Barcelona’s major streets, Gran Via de los Corts Catalanes, the Silken Gran Hotel Havana sits at the southern edge of the Eixample, best known for Art Nouveau masterpieces, high-end shopping, and exquisite restaurants. The upscale shops lining Passeig de Gracia are a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Casa Batilo and Casa Mila, two Gaudi masterworks, also on the Passeig de Gracia, can be reached in about 15 minutes on foot, There are plenty of great tapas restaurants and shopping in almost every direction, and the Girona or Tetuan Metro stations, both a five-minute walk from the hotel, provide easy access to the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's still unfinished basilica and one of Barcelona's most popular sights, in about 12 minutes (it's about a 20-minute walk). The farther-flung Parc Guell is about a 30-minute metro ride away. The Aerobus to El Prat International Airport leaves from Plaza Catalunya, and trips take about 40 minutes, while a cab can make the same journey in about 20 minutes, depending on traffic.

Rooms appear soft and sophisticated, with burnished walnut laminate floors, simple furniture with contemporary lines, and tan padded vinyl headboards. The neutral simplicity contrasts with interesting design features, like a floating backlit wall panel that holds the flat-screen TV and makes a dramatic visual statement even if it seems misplaced. All rooms include desks, electric safes, mini-fridges with minibars, telephones, electric kettles with free coffee and tea, individually controlled heat and air-conditioning, and audio entertainment systems. Beds are comfortable, with duvets and gray bed runners, and all rooms have plush tan armchairs. The dark, Ikea-style furniture shows some wear and tear, and the taupe ceiling, meant to look elegant, makes the rooms feel cramped, even though guest rooms start at 280 square feet and are spacious by Barcelona norms. Striated green marble in the bathrooms will never look cutting edge, but bathrooms come with large vanities, shower/tub combos, white marble walls, modern hairdryers, and a full line of toiletries. Silken Club bookings come with additional amenities (see below), while higher-priced rooms have charming indoor and outdoor terraces. Suites feature separate sleeping areas and upgraded furniture that is chic and contemporary, plus stylish shag carpets and sliding walnut doors with retro hardware.

The hotel has a small rooftop pool with panoramic views of Eixample. It’s surrounded by a wooden deck and adjacent to the Pool Up Gastro Bar, with cocktails and a full food menu, including tapas served until late. The top floor of the hotel also includes a sauna and solarium, and there are plenty of places to spread the pool towels provided in every room. The hotel frequently hosts live music and La Cupula Piano Bar, the atrium bar just off of the hotel’s lobby, is a great place to sip a cocktail and experience an array of musical styles. A breakfast buffet with a wide selection of hot and cold items is served every day, though it’s only included with certain room packages. In-room massage services are available, and though the hotel lacks its own fitness center, it has a deal with a gym close by for guests to use its facilities. The Silken Club is available to guests with Silken Club bookings, and serves all-day refreshments, and has a Nespresso coffee machine, and is a place to unwind or refuel. There are four meeting rooms on site, as well as a 24-hour business center. The 24-hour front desk provides concierge services. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and laundry and dry cleaning services are also available. Guests should be aware that the hotel’s main restaurant, Le Bistrot Grand Place, is closed until September, 2015.