Alexandra Barcelona Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton

While the stylish Alexandra Barcelona is, in fact, a Hilton, it’s part of their Curio Collection, a selection of upscale boutique-style hotels whose personality and visual identity remain independent from that of the parent chain. And if the brand association gives you some confidence that there’s a professional operation running things behind the scenes, that’s a good thing. And it’s got quite a lot going for it.

There’s the location, for one, half a block off the Passeig de Gràcia, a short stroll away from several of Antoni Gaudi’s most famous architectural landmarks in the Eixample — in other words, in the very heart of Barcelona. Guest rooms are comfortable, with parquet flooring, large LED TVs, walk-in showers, complimentary wi-fi, and, importantly in this part of the city, good soundproofing. The universal Hilton aesthetic shows through here, but there’s a subtle vintage-inspired twist: many rooms have a mod edge, with molded chairs and geometric details, while others feature traditional Spanish tile.

But tile aside, perhaps you’re trading off some local character for corporate consistency when you check into the Alexandra. What’s the upside, you ask? A swimming pool, for one — you’ll be hard-pressed to find one of those at many comparable hotels in this town — with an inviting terrace that’s ideal for relaxing after sightseeing all day, especially in warmer weather. Though the area's dining and drinking scene hardly lacks for options, Alexandra herself offers noshable meat and cheese boards at the charcuterie bar as well as brasserie plates at Solomillo.