„My god, this place! “ was the single thought that kept popping into my mind for the whole of the 48 hours I spent here. Whoever ran this place clearly knew what they were doing. There was a single feeling that prevailed the entire time I was here. I felt… spoiled. Avocado with my eggs and bacon? No problem! Fresh raspberries and cream with my crepe? Por su puesto!

It started at check-in. I was tired. Very very tired. I had just come from a long overnight flight from Kuala Lumpur and an intense 8-hour layover in London, all of the above while entertaining a toddler by myself. But that handcrafted, raspberry powder coated white chocolate I was handed at reception made it all better instantly. “You have a very nice room”, the incredibly beautiful receptionist lady said to me, “it has a balcony.” That’s nice, I thought but all I could really think of was a bed. And what bed I got… It felt like floating. Actually floating on clouds. It was unlike any bed I have slept in and I remember lying in it wondering how it was possible for a bed to make me feel so light. Needless to say Atlas and I both slept like babies.

The next morning, we woke up at 6am and were greeted with the most wonderful sunrise which we enjoyed from our wonderful balcony overlooking the stunning backyard restaurant at the Cotton House as well as some of the neighboring houses. The latter featured a wealth of balconies in all styles and decorations. In the evenings, when Atlas was sleeping, I would sit there and watch 3 girlfriends do their make-up, preparing for a big Saturday night out. I would smile at the older lady getting comfortable on a camping chair with a book and the couple enjoying a bottle of red wine, with their feet up on the balcony. For a moment or two it felt like I was a part of this town, just another Barcelona resident on her balcony, enjoying the view and the warm breeze.

The reminder that I was actually a lot more privileged with my temporary lodging than most of those people living around the hotel came instantly, whenever I walked down the hall from my room to the elevator because that was when I passed the rooftop pool, a wonderful little lap pool with 8 inviting sun loungers and their attractive hotel guest occupants. There was a small bar here as well selling drinks and poolside snacks. The best part of a rooftop pool? It overlooked the city in one of its most beautiful neighborhoods. Attractive apartment buildings, tree-lined streets… Barcelona charms at their best.

But the true, the real, the ultimate wow came somewhere else: the first floor. Exiting the lift one walks into what I can only describe as a spectacle for senses. The exquisite library with the large windows, the inviting armchairs, the 20 or so vases on a round table with flowers bathing in the incoming sunlight, throwing the most beautiful ballet of shadows. The music selection is perfect for a place like this. Gentle, modern, easy on the ear and oozing comfort. Between the library and the restaurants is a large room with an equally large table and a massive chandelier dangling from the ceiling. I exhale a silent “wow” as I take note of the beautiful and large bouquet in what was probably the largest vase I have seen to date. “My god, this place!”.

Your eyes and ears are truly in for a treat at Cotton House, but maybe the ultimate memory I took away from it was the breakfast. As someone who eats hotel breakfast during half the year, I have developed a pretty exquisite taste but Cotton House was able to exceed my wildest imagination. Even if you don’t stay here, I would urge you to have breakfast here some time, it’s bound to make for a great memory.

You can tell that Cotton House has left me more than a little in awe. It came as no surprise for me to hear that Cotton House is currently winning top spots on various best-hotel outlets and was even recently named the best hotel in the Marriott Group! The latter is pretty amazing, there are after all over 4200 hotels in 87 countries (here is a list of all hotels brands listed under Marriott). Cotton House is part of the Autograph Selection, a signature range of hotels which essentially are top notch design hotels, the crème de la crème of what Marriott has to offer. As a member of Marriott Rewards I was able to enjoy free Wifi as well as an unexpected room upgrade. If you’re not one of the worldwide 55 million members signed up to Marriott Rewards just yet, you may do so here.

Cotton House is located at Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 670 in 08010 Barcelona, Spain.

*I was offered 2 complimentary nights via Marriott Rewards. All opinions expressed are my own.

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