Travel: Soho House, Barcelona

There are very few things more satisfying than arriving in a brand new city for the first (or whatever number) time. Endless possibilities and adventure are just waiting for you around every corner. A close second is arriving at your hotel and having your room ready, early! Mind you this is more a quark of luck than anything else, but imagine arriving at your hotel directly from the airport luggage in tow, too early to check into your room, but immediately feeling like you are at home, having your bags stored and put in your room, being offered a drink, and being taken care. While you wait for your room to be ready you head up to the roof to eat breakfast by the pool or maybe get a massage or facial, all without having to leave the building. Well this is a luxury few hotels can offer, let alone pull off, but it is one we all deserve. Enter Soho House.

Located in the city’s iconic Gothic Quarter and overlooking Port Vell Marina, Soho House Barcelona sits a perfect 20-minute taxi ride from the airport. Featuring a rooftop pool and terrace, gym, Cowshed spa and 57 bedrooms, Soho House resides inside an 18th-century building in the historic Duc de Medinaceli square. It’s pretty stunning.

The 57 rooms run the gambit from Tiny 21sq metre spaces to Large 80sq metres spaces with a dressing room, a separate living room with a dining table and en-suite bathrooms stocked with the entire range of Cowshed products which are amazing, and feature walk-in rainforest showers, steam baths and roll-top bathtubs. Because, why not. For the purpose of comparison we stayed in a Medium Marina for the six days we had in the Catalonian capital. The room is a comfortable 30sq m and features a balcony and views of Port Vell marina and beyond, and is great if you are staying for several days and/or have a lot of clothing/luggage. However, if you travel light and are only in Barcelona for a couple of days the Small rooms would be perfect. See all the rooms and their amenites here.

What makes Soho House locations so great, for the most part, is their large selection of amenities in the building, especially their food service. The Barcelona House features a healthy selection of delicious European food with local influences served all day in the fifth-floor Club (exclusive to House members and hotel guests). With round the clock service the Club floor is perfect for hanging out and drink coffee, eating a meals, and even a little bit of work, if you are so inclined.

Located on the ground floor of the house is Cecconi’s is a modern-day classic Italian restaurant serving lunch and dinner seven days a week, Aperitivo Italiano Monday to Friday from 6pm to 8pm and a brunch buffet on Sundays from 12pm to 5pm. The menu includes hand-made pasta, seafood and dishes from Northern Italy using the finest ingredients. We highly recommend going for food but you must stay and have a drink from their very extensive cocktail menu.

Now no real vacation would be complete without some actual R&R and Soho House has just the right thing for that. If you have yet to encounter or experience the Cowshed Relax spa then you are in for a treat. The Barcelona location is located below ground in the basement of the house, but don’t worry, it’s not that kind of basement. Featuring an incredible indoor pool and four treatment rooms inspired by the traditional Spanish pharmacy. Featuring a full range of treatments from manicures and pedicures to facials and body massage, the spa is open to both members and the public. Whether you just want a quick service or you are looking to relax the spa is designed and equipped to accommodate. When we were there we indulged in a 990-minute massage, and then hung out and relaxed with a pot of tea, a slice of delicious cake and some quiet time by the pool. Trust us… it is worth it!