Cotton House is merely steps away from Passeig de Gràcia, in the heart of Barcelona’s Eixample – the city’s most elegant neighbourhood, where the Catalan bourgeoisie left its mark with modernist masterpieces like Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. This Autograph Collection hotel is housed in a refined 19th-century neoclassical building – once home to the Fundación Textil Algodonera, hence the name Cotton House.
Thanks to a renovation by renowned interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán, the hotel is now a masterpiece balancing history and contemporary design. It retains original features, including the grand marble staircase, vintage parquet flooring, wood panelling, and the iconic suspended spiral staircase, built in 1957.
The common thread, or rather, the cotton thread runs through every detail of the hotel. Its 83 rooms and suites pay homage to the material that gave the building its name, with a colour palette inspired by raw cotton fibres: pure whites, deep blacks, and soft sepia tones. A noteworthy detail: 300-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, 600-gram towels, and natural cosmetics by Ortigia – every element designed to envelop guests in discreet, authentic luxury.
However, let’s first talk about the hotel’s standout feature: the Batuar cocktail bar & restaurant, located on the first floor of Cotton House. It’s the kind of place that’ll make you forget any plans to venture out.
The name Batuar? A tribute to the old machine that once pressed cotton to purify it. Here, you can dine, brunch, or sip a drink in a relaxed yet ultra-chic atmosphere – whether indoors or on the lush 300-square-meter terrace. Every decorative detail, from the abundant greenery to colonial-style furnishings, is pure inspiration for your own living room or garden nook at home.
But the true star is the menu: a contemporary Mediterranean offering, designed for sharing and savoured at a slow pace. Beautifully executed dishes, excellent cocktails, and a service that encourages you to linger. Because when you find yourself in a cocoon of refined, comfortable elegance, going out starts to feel unnecessary. Whether you’re ordering meat, fish, or vegetarian dishes, the focus on quality ingredients is clear. Must-haves include classics like jamón serrano and delicious Catalan cheeses, alongside original, well-crafted creations.
The cocktails paired with your meal? A whole chapter on their own. Fresh, balanced, and ideal for either accompanying dinner or kicking off a special evening. Try the ESPRESSO No2: Ketel One, Licor 43, Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, Coffee and Honey. Or the Mediterranean Smash: Bombay, Gin Mare, Mediterranean Cordial, Fresh Basil, and Clementine Sorbet. The drinks menu also features extensive, refined sections dedicated to rum and gin, plus a wine cellar fit for true connoisseurs.
A breakfast worth remembering: not only for its perfect sweet-savoury balance, but also for the quality. Yet another highlight of this boutique hotel.
Now, on to the common areas, notably the rooftop pool with solarium, an irresistible invitation to enjoy Barcelona’s mild climate in any season. Guests also have access to a fully equipped gym, a treatment room for massages and beauty rituals (by appointment), and serene relaxation spaces – our favourite being The Library, where you can sip afternoon tea surrounded by books and silence, in an elegant, slightly English atmosphere. Finally, L’Atelier – a tribute to the building’s tailoring legacy – where, upon request, an expert from the historic Santa Eulalia fashion house takes measurements for exclusive made-to-measure garments.
In conclusion, Cotton House is more than just a boutique hotel – it’s a textile narrative woven seamlessly into the city’s soul.
Images: Cotton House
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