PILLOW TALK: MOTEL ONE, BARCELONA, SPAIN

Tell us what you’ve got?

An awful lot given the price tag - but that’s Motel One for you: reasonably-priced, design-led hotels that are popping up all over Europe.

This one’s location right opposite Ciutadella park – with its central lake, historic buildings and Barcelona Zoo – is the inspiration for the hotel’s design; make sure you admire the dragonflies and butterflies attached to the light bulbs above you at check in, and the huge plants that are – well - everywhere.

Spanish influences also feature heavily, with the reception desk eye-catchingly – and entirely - clad in colourful, mis-match ceramic tiles. It’s hard not to be enthralled by the large watercolour behind the desk either, created by Barcelona illustrator Lara Costafreda, and depicting an array plants and animals from the zoo.

There’s also a wrap-around rooftop terrace and bar with city views – a must during the summer months.

A sunny courtyard with lemon trees and sofas.

And a huge One Lounge which is a bar-cum-lounge-cum-breakfast area with swinging chairs, bar stools, large tables for groups, and sofas to sink into whilst watching the world go by through large windows.

Where do we sleep?

The hotel has 301 rooms and suites, some with double doors opening out onto the bustle below; others with fully decked terraces with tables and turquoise deck chairs – a running colour in the Motel One group. “May the turquoise be with you,” read the postcard welcoming us on arrival beside a hand-drawn pic of Yoda with a turquoise head. Playful down to a tee.

Lara’s artwork follows guests into the bedrooms, with another watercolour of plants and zoo animals acting as a headboard, this one in calming shades of green.

Reasonably-sized bathrooms have powerful rain-head showers and Motel One amenities. Standard rooms aren’t large but do the job.

The large flat-screen TV displays a flickering image of a fire as soon as your key card opens the door – a lovely touch during our February stay.

Wine & dine us

The Lounge is a buzzing, sociable space where guests head for leisurely breakfasts, pre-dinner drinks (we loved playing cards whist sipping glasses of Estrella and apple juice) and work catch-ups. The bar even has its own Gin. “It’s Gin O’clock at Motel One” in emblazoned (in turquoise, of course) – on the napkins.

Breakfast is a fabulous, unrushed affair with a whole wall of cereals, yoghurts, cheeses, meats, pastries, coffees, different milks, hard boiled eggs and juices. If you are spending the day walking around the city, a multi-stage breakfast like this is ideal (go up as often as you like and take your time). Great coffee, too.

Motel One keeps their costs – and therefore their prices – down by shunning in-room mini bars and hotel restaurants in favour of guests getting out and spending locally. We dined at a typical Tapas bar a mere metre away and tucked into plates of Pardon Peppers, Spanish Tortilla with a super spicy sauce, ham croquettes and Chorizo with a glass of red. The cuenta? Just £20.

Verdict

With great rates (from £79 per night), fantastic design and an enviable location opposite the park/zoo, we couldn’t fault Motel One Barcelona for a city break with a child in tow. We are already making plans to visit the Amsterdam property later in the year.

10/10