Cotton Home Resort overview – The Factors Man

What is Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection?

Cotton House Hotel, housed in the former headquarters of Barcelona’s Association of Cotton House Manufacturers, opened in 2017 after a full-scale building renovation. The original structure dates back to the 19th century, as one can see through the exterior’s preserved architectural style and how it blends in with surrounding historic buildings.

How to book Cotton House Hotel

A superb location for seeing Barcelona’s major sights

The location of the hotel is smack dab in the middle of the city center. It’s on one of the busiest streets in the city — the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes — and puts guests in a prime position to visit Barcelona’s main attractions quickly via public transit, by walking or by car. The hotel is blocks away from all sorts of shops, including designer-label retailers and local boutiques. The famous Sagrada Familia, La Boqueria market and La Rambla neighborhood are all less than a 15-minute walk away.

Cotton House Hotel is just a 15-minute car ride or 30-minute bus ride from Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), and there is a direct airport bus that’s a convenient five-minute walk from the hotel. A metro station is also located just four minutes by foot from the lobby.

Rooms are spacious and bright with very good views

Efficient and reliable housekeeping service

I received outstanding housekeeping service that included a personalized note and reliable evening turndown service each day during my stay.

The housekeeping staff provided pillow chocolates every night that were so good I had to ask the front desk staff where I could buy some to take home with me.

Exceptional dining at Batuar bar and restaurant

The hotel’s only restaurant, Batuar, was where I had breakfast every day and dinner on the second and last night of my stay. The restaurant has both inside and outside sections, including a lush, spacious terrace.

When I first walked into the restaurant, I was amazed at how extensive it was; it seemed never-ending.

During a long conversation with one of the bartenders, I was given his menu recommendations and told how locals often come to this restaurant just to enjoy the terrace and outdoor section. He recommended I try the Banana Fashioned ($16), a twist on an old-fashioned with a banana flavor and edible dried banana peel garnish. This drink was on the menu’s Hall of Fame page and certainly lived up to that categorization.

The inside area of the restaurant was cozy and intimate, but once I walked outside, the vibe completely changed. The outside section was packed compared to the interior, which felt empty. It was quite a mix of people, from influencers taking photos to well-heeled business folk to tourists on vacation.

This was likely due to the great summer weather; everyone wanted to enjoy it. There were open areas in addition to sections covered by lush greenery. As the sun set, the outside portion of the restaurant looked simply stunning.

When I sat down at Batuar for dinner, I appreciated the ornate table settings, including floral plates and opaque cutlery and glassware.

I started with a cocktail called the Italicus Spritz ($14). It was a light and refreshing rendition of the European classic Aperol Spritz with a grapefruit liqueur instead of Aperol. When my drink was brought out, my server also delivered a small amuse-bouche, which was a breaded appetizer filled with meat and cream.

I then ordered two Catalan-style roasted chicken croquettes ($7) for my starter. Croquettes are very popular in Spain and are served on most tapas menus around the country, and these did not disappoint. For my entree, I opted for the Kun-Pho-style magret ($28). The duck was flavorful and expertly cooked, accompanied by a delectable savory sauce and some greens.

After the entree, my server brought me a small chocolate dessert on the house, which was a really nice touch. The presentation was immaculate, as it came in a lovely white shell.

The whole dinner service was excellent, and the prices were reasonable. Given the caliber of the service I received, I was expecting the bill to be much higher, so I would say this restaurant felt quite high value.

Remarkable breakfast service

Due to my Bonvoy loyalty status, breakfast at the hotel was included during my stay. It was excellent, with both buffet and a la carte options.

The buffet featured a variety of fresh fruits, pastries, meats and cheeses. It also included assorted freshly squeezed juices and smoothies.

The green juice was quite tasty. There was both prosecco and Champagne for those who wanted a morning mimosa.

The buffet alone would have sufficed, but guests could also order a la carte items. I opted for the omelet, which came paired with sausage and veggies.

An Instagram-worthy rooftop and pool

The highlight of the hotel for me was the sixth-floor rooftop infinity pool. The rooftop is small but mighty, with a handful of lounge chairs and a few seating areas. There was a small bar in the corner that served refreshing cocktails, which were just right for enjoying on a hot summer day. The true standout feature of the rooftop was the expansive views of the city.

From the rooftop, you could see Sagrada Familia, along with other sights that make up the Barcelona skyline.

The one downside about the rooftop and pool was that due to the smaller size, it always felt crowded, and finding a seat during most hours of the day proved to be a challenge.

The fitness center is quite small

The hotel’s fitness center could be found on the top floor in what felt like a guest room with gym equipment.

The fitness center was certainly small, but it packed a punch. I was surprised at how much equipment there was in this tiny room. There was an elliptical, an exercise bike and free weights ranging from 1 to 30 pounds.

That being said, there was not a lot of room to move around in, and it was hot and cramped. During my stay, I opted to go for a run through the city instead of my usual workout due to the lack of equipment. I imagine if more than two people were working out at a time, it would become quite tight and uncomfortable.

The spa is disappointing

1 of 1

CHRIS NELSON/THE POINTS GUY

The hotel technically has a spa, but in reality, it is just another converted guest room where guests can book select services, including massages and facials. This was not a deal breaker for me, but others might like the option of having a full-service spa, considering the high nightly rates. Prices for treatments start at $25.

Accessibility

Reasons Cotton House Hotel might not be for you

While Cotton House Hotel is a great property in a prime location, there are a couple of reasons why it might not suit everyone.

• This property is on the pricier side, so those in search of a budget hotel will want to look elsewhere.
• The fitness center is tiny, so avid fitness enthusiasts may not be able to fit in their typical workout routine.
• There is no proper spa. Guests looking for a full-scale spa might want to opt for another hotel.
• There is only one restaurant on-site, so those who want more dining options at their hotel may want to book another property.

Checking out of Cotton House Hotel

My stay at Cotton House Hotel was excellent. I was blown away by the attentive staff and how they catered to my every need. I was mesmerized by how tastefully decorated the hotel was, from the lobby to the rooms to the restaurant, which I found to be very impressive.

Depending on the nightly rates, I would likely return to this hotel on my next trip to Barcelona. Cotton House Hotel is definitely on the expensive side, and there are many substantially cheaper accommodations in the nearby area. If you want to splurge or find a decent cash or points rate, I would highly recommend this hotel. If an award stay costs more than 70,000 points a night, I wouldn’t justify that price point for this Marriott property.

Related reading: