Praktik Èssens, Barcelona

Pros

• The hotel is just off the buzzy Passeig de Gràcia, yet in a hidden alleyway for more privacy and serenity.
• The hotel has a perfumery, and it's delightfully fragrant throughout the property.
• Relax in the large lounge area with complimentary coffee and tea service all day, plus daily happy hours.
• Enjoy the outdoor terrace with tables, sun loungers, twinkly lights, and views over the world-renowned El Nacional restaurant.

Cons

• Children ages three and up are charged as adults.
• The hotel doesn't have a bar or restaurant. 
• There's no pool, spa, or gym on-site.

Additional Notes From Ash

I visited a few Praktik Group hotels, but this one was by far my favorite. The location feels like a secret, down a little alley off the main street, and each room has such a good mix of minimalism and coziness. Personally, I'd go for one of the rooms with a private terrace and outdoor bath! Otherwise, I'd hang out in the lounge and enjoy the complimentary happy hour. Though I didn't stay here, I did buy the hotel's signature Barcelona fragrance (the business doubles as a perfumery) to remember my time in the city.  

Authenticity

An award-winning architect designed the hotel in a historic 19th-century building with neo-Arab arches and windows. This property's theme centers around olfactory memory (how smell can evoke memories), so you can buy several fragrances in the hotel's perfumery. As you enter the lobby, you're greeted by the scents of candles, perfumes, and soaps locally made and dispersed throughout the property.

Location

Hotel Praktik Èssens has a fantastic location: tucked away in a charming and quiet alley yet in the middle of all the action. You'll be steps away from Passeig de Gràcia and Casa Batlló, plus next door to El Nacional, a world-famous eatery. Head one block in the other direction to find the Gothic Quarter, with your first stops being the central Plaça de Catalunya and the famous La Rambla.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Choose from four room types; all feature simple, minimalist decor with wooden floors, white-brick walls, and small balconies. Consider a premium room if you prefer more space and a few perks, including a private terrace, sun loungers, and a small outdoor pool. The bathrooms are small but clean and modern, with moody royal-green tiling. 

Amenities

The on-site perfumery is located in the lobby. Another highlight is the lounge and outdoor terrace with comfy couches, sun loungers, and a coffee and tea station stocked day and night. There's no gym, spa, or pool at the hotel. There's some accessibility for travelers with reduced mobility: elevators provide access to the upper floors, and many rooms have wheelchair-accessible amenities. 

Family-Friendliness

Children of all ages are welcome, but the hotel caters more to adults. Kids ages three and up are considered adults. Baby cribs are free, but extra beds (for kids ages four and up) cost extra. The best room for families with kids is the Premium Room with a Terrace, but the Standard and Super Rooms with sofa beds coulalso workll. 

Other Highlights

There isn't a restaurant or bar located at the Hotel Praktik Èssens. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are not available on-site. The hotel does offer complimentary coffee and tea around the clock, served in the lobby, with a selection of pastries in the morning. Guests are encouraged to take their morning refreshments to the lounge or terrace. Although the hotel doesn't have a proper bar, a complimentary happy hour happens every evening, when cava, wine, and savory snacks are served in the lobby area.