Spotlight on Casa Bonay
It’s no wonder that visitors and locals alike are drawn to this hip uptown hotel
The Neoclassical Eixample building is a stunner. The formula of period architecture as grand backdrop to contemporary furniture is not one that always works as well as it does here. Design is fresh and distinctive, from the fruity wallpaper and neon lights to the funky floral arrangements.
Arriving stupidly early I’m well looked-after with drinks and croissants in the lounge until my room is ready. Transferring mid-trip from the more basic Praktik Bakery Hotel, the luxe room is appreciated, with it’s covetable wool blankets by Teixidors (a company with impeccable social as well as design credentials), Malin&Goetz toiletries, extensive mini bar, cool mags and complimentary water (refills of which on subsequent days would have been even better). Expecting a room described as “passage tiny” it’s positively palatial - maybe an upside to going mid-week in January.
The buzz of the the glam Libertine lounge-bar is the main attraction. By day a chilled work space for hipsters on laptops it morphs seamlessly into a cool cocktail bar as the lights go down and the music turns up. It’s one of those places as conducive to reading on your own as to partying with a crowd.
Service is charming, if a little scatty, and my white bean humous perfect (but possibly beaten by the pa amb tomáquet at breakfast). The bar is a more tempting option than the on-site restaurant King Kong Lady where, the previous evening, staff were equally charming but the pricier fusion food not really for me.
I’m keen to return in the summer to make use of the rooftop chiringuito (although I fear staying may be out of my budget in high season). It looks promising, although some imagination was required on a windy January night.
One tiny niggle: the place could do with a visible maitre d or manager - a face to the place. I didn’t really recognise any staff over my few days, and I doubt they recognised me. A minor thing, but something that made me yearn for the beloved Brummell. I’m being picky because it’s pretty much the only thing that stops it short of perfection. You can sense the thought, expertise and social conscience that have gone into every detail of this hotel; that it’s a collaboration between friends determined to create something different. It feels integrated into the city and the community, and that’s a triumph.
Update November 2023: A return visit, with King Kong Lady replaced by a more tempting Bodega Bonay (although didn’t try). Satan Coffee replaced with the v good Tostao coffee. A room upgrade certainly didn’t hurt (still haven’t experienced the “tiny”). The Libertine Bar as cool and lively as ever, with matey crouching-down waiters serving us a good burger and a spectacular grilled veal. Receptionists, in contrast to last visit, so friendly and helpful, with staff continuity, and going over-and-above, even while bracing themselves for the corporate onslaught of the international mobile phone conference taking over the city. Dix points - hope to return! Will try that rooftop chiringuito one day…