HOTEL BRUMMELL

Barcelona’s moment as Europe’s hottest destination led to a flood of boutique hotels, equal parts spare industrial-chic and light-sculpture swank. Operating on the metaphorical edge of that aesthetic is Hotel Brummell, a hotel by Austrian Christian Schallert: though it’s nothing if not photogenic, there’s also a refreshingly down-to-earth sensibility at play.

Probably due somewhat to its location at the literal edge of the Poble-sec neighborhood, an up-and-comer within easy reach of the shore and Montjuïc hill in the background. That’s Catalan for “dry village,” which dryly (pun intended) contrasts with its abundance of cheap watering holes, which in turn fuel the charming tapas-and-galleries vibe on every street. Roll that all into one and you have Brummell; this hotel’s got you covered whether you’re after cocktails, rooftop poolside day-drinking, a crashpad, yoga and fitness classes — free for hotel guests — or all of the above.

At just 20 rooms, Hotel Brummell’s a card-carrying boutique, and better for it. At this scale, the easygoing Sri Lankan décor comes off anything but heavy-handed, bolstered by a healthy dose of bespoke furniture and a penchant for balance, asymmetry, and contrast (thanks, no doubt, to your hosts’ artistic backgrounds). Besides the expected complimentary wi-fi and flatscreens, the bathrooms in particular hit all the luxe notes: heated floors, rain showers, and MMLL bath products. Get a balcony room, and don’t turn your nose up at the vending machines; their contents are, as ever, thoughtfully curated.