El Raval

Casa Camper Barcelona

★★★★★

Casa Camper is one of the most original hotels in Barcelona, created by the Mallorcan shoe company Camper with the same playful, practical spirit as its shoes. It occupies a renovated building on Carrer d'Elisabets in El Raval, a few minutes' walk from La Rambla, the Boqueria and the MACBA, and it has built a loyal following among design-minded travellers who like a hotel that does things differently. The signature idea is the split room: each bedroom, with its bed and bathroom, faces a quiet interior courtyard with a tall vertical garden, while across the corridor you have your own private lounge facing the street, with a sofa, a television and a hammock, so you can relax, work or spread out without being in the bedroom. It works especially well for longer stays and for couples who keep different hours. Another Casa Camper trademark is the Tentempié, a buffet of snacks and drinks available to guests around the clock, which takes the place of a minibar and makes the hotel feel generous. Up top, a sunny rooftop terrace gives views over the old city and is open to all guests at any hour. Downstairs, the hotel shares its building with Dos Palillos, a Michelin-starred restaurant serving Asian-influenced small plates at a counter, and its bar, so serious food is on your doorstep. The style throughout is bright, simple and functional, with red accents, eco-minded touches and an informal, friendly staff, and the location in the upper, more cultural part of the Raval puts the museums, the markets and the Gothic Quarter all within a short walk.

Who it suits: design lovers, couples, solo travellers and anyone staying several nights who will appreciate the extra living space and the always-open snack buffet. Travellers who want classic luxury, a pool or a spa will be better served elsewhere, and the Raval setting, while lively and central, is not for those who want quiet, polished streets; the upper Raval around the hotel is busy, cultural and generally fine, but take the usual care at night.

Making the most of it: choose a room type with the garden-facing bedroom and the street-facing lounge, which is the Camper experience, and use the rooftop for breakfast in the sun or a quiet drink in the evening. Book Dos Palillos well ahead, as counter seats are limited. Use the hotel as a base for walking: MACBA and the CCCB are around the corner, the Boqueria and Palau Güell are minutes away, and the Gothic Quarter is just across La Rambla.

Value: rates are upper mid-range, higher than most Raval hotels but justified by the space, the inclusions and the design. The tourist tax applies per person per night. The value case is a distinctive, comfortable hotel with a second room, round-the-clock snacks and a great location for exploring the old city on foot. It also makes a good second base for repeat visitors who stayed in the Eixample the first time and want to experience the Raval's mix of museums, markets and global food.