CHECKING-IN

At first glance, the lobby exudes a treasure trove of creativity. Murals and street art adorn the walls, reflecting The Hoxton’s commitment to fostering artistic expression and embodying the area's dynamic narrative.

Walking in, you are not greeted by a hotel desk but in fact, a statement bar area serving everything from coffee to cocktails; a cool soundtrack plays in the background whilst stylish locals and international travellers gather in the co-working spaces and hang out on the comfy seating. The whole vibe makes you feel right at home and part of the community rather than a guest - already it feels like a home from home.

We’re not ones to miss out on a buzzy atmosphere, we stepped straight into the mix and managed to buy some merch from the shop, grab a coffee and eat a slice of pizza (more on that later) all before we even reached the check-in desk. As always (like with all Hoxton’s we’ve stayed at) we arrived super early as we love to take full advantage of the flexy time, where you can check in and out for free whenever you like and were met with a super easy check-in process - a win-win.

STEP INSIDE

The room decor was minimalist and chic with terracotta flooring, faded florals and wall-hung tapestry all seamlessly complimenting the wooden accents and the Mediterranean hues used throughout. The whole room was set off by an iconic statement headboard (a Hoxton staple) and the star of the show in terms of aesthetics.

We opted for the smallest room, the ‘Roomy’ as we planned to spend most of our time on the rooftop. The overall room experience was still a true Hoxton experience, complete with a Roberts radio, flat screen TV, eccentric porcelain bathroom tiles and rainforest shower, basically all of the good stuff but sadly the views in this room were lacking. The fixed floor-to-ceiling windows meant no natural air could get in so we missed having that evening summer breeze. If you’re looking for the best bedroom views, we recommend going up a room size to get all the benefits, where you can wake up to morning views of the city including the famous Sagrada Familia.

DINING 

With two onsite options catering to different palates, you’ll never go hungry here, the Hoxton have got you covered.

Head up to the rooftop to find a sky-high taqueria, Tope, where you can sip on Sangria and tuck into Mexican-themed small plates al fresco surrounded by breathtaking city views. This menu was one of our favourites - the guac and cheese-covered tortillas were *chefs kiss* 

Also complete with a vibrant bar, an extensive drinks menu (G+T’s the size of our heads) and live music playing until late (see for yourself here) the electric atmosphere here in the evening had the Hoxton written all over it.

Down on the ground floor, you will find Four Corners, an Italian-American diner, serving Detroit-style pizzas 7 days a week. You can grab a single slice from the Slice Shop in the lobby before heading out on the town or soak in the ‘New York energy meets Barcelona’ aesthetic on the ground floor terrace - the best of both worlds.

ROOFTOP RENDEVOUZ

The pinnacle of Poblenou is undoubtedly the rooftop terrace, a popular spot for both locals and tourists which offers a laidback pool area, spacious bar and endless views of the city. 

Although not a huge space, the upscale poolside vibes were certainly on point, surrounded by stylish cabanas and chic loungers where you can lie down and take advantage of the bar service. Sip on sangrias all day and tune into the poolside playlist (we love a good playlist) whilst overlooking the city skyline. If you’re visiting off-season, there’s also a plush seating area to hang out so there’s versatility for relaxation and entertainment.

Sunset soirees over the city from here were truly magical for us, with an unmatchable 360° view of Barcelona, complete with ambient lighting and live music, this curated a truly memorable atmosphere. Whether you’re there for a romantic evening or a social gathering, the rooftop pool becomes a coveted destination under the starlit sky. This is up there with one of the best Barcelona rooftops for sure - you can see our full list here

INSIDE INTEL

The Hoxton has everything the city needs; from a rooftop pool and bar to onsite restaurants. With its thoughtfully designed studios, communal areas and supportive community, it serves as a hub for artistic expression and collaboration in the heart of the city however, we have a list of a few things we think you should know to make your experience the best it could be.

We weren’t aware that you don’t have access to the rooftop sun lounger beds all day - these need to be reserved with the pool staff and are only allocated for 2 hours during busy months. Thankfully, some days we got them for longer as they weren’t fully booked but be aware in the height of summer, we suggest having a backup plan or heading to the beach.

This neighbourhood is the perfect place for the hotel vibes but it’s not super central and can be a long walk into town in the summer months (this can get sweaty). Fear not, the metro is a one-minute walk or download the YellowTaxi app to get around easily - like Uber for Spain.

If you want to squeeze in a workout, grab a discounted pass from reception for one of the local gyms - super handy. If you’re looking to exercise whilst taking in the sights, you can rent a Hoxton bike for a scenic and cost-effective way to immerse yourself in the city,

Fill your fridge up in the lobby’s mini grocery store with a selection of beers, wines and sweet and savoury snacks which are available to buy at grocery store prices — no mini-bar bills in sight!

Although The Hoxton Poblenou provides all the entertainment for sure, there are so many other things to see and do in Barcelona that we love. Read our Inside Guide to Barcelona for all the info on the best neighbourhoods to visit, where to eat and what to see.