Yurbban Passage Hotel & Spa

Between the cute modern name and the youth-oriented bells and whistles — there’s a photo booth, shuffleboard, and a juice bar called Flax & Kale Passage — it’s got all the trappings of a hotel designed for millennials. But Yurbban Passage Hotel & Spa is also rooted in Barcelona’s history: this boutique hotel is located inside a 19th-century former textile factory. And while fun in the hospitality world is sometimes posed as an alternative to luxury, here the two virtues are complementary; while the Yurbban hotels aren’t intended as top-tier luxury hotels, their comforts are substantial.

The look is industrial-chic, and while the guest rooms are stylish, with smart wood paneling and lots of glass to let the Spanish sunshine in, the hotel’s common spaces are the real standouts, most notably the rooftop terrace with a swimming pool and striking views over the Gothic Quarter.

Then there’s the organic spa, a boutique selling pieces by local designers, and a modern Catalan restaurant accompanied by a swanky cocktail bar. The hotel also provides locally made bicycles and handcrafted wooden longboards for exploring the charming back streets of Barcelona’s old town — as well as a custom Google Maps page presenting an edited collection of the city’s finest sights.