Cotton House Hotel review – The Points Guy

Barcelona’s Cotton House Hotel is considered one of the top points hotels in the city, alongside other icons like the W Barcelona. Situated on the second-longest street in the Catalan capital, this Autograph Collection hotel offers a prime location, with no shortage of shops, eateries and attractions close to the historic property. Housed in an old cotton factory in the heart of Barcelona, the property gives guests the chance to get a good sense of the history surrounding it, including at some of the city’s most popular landmarks, like Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia church, bustling La Rambla and the La Boqueria market.

As a frequent visitor to Barcelona, I was excited to return this summer and check into a property in the city center so that I could access all the major attractions and easily pop down to the beach. I’ve heard great things about Marriott’s Cotton House Hotel and decided to discover whether it lived up to the hype.

Here’s what it’s like staying at the beautiful Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection — and what you should know before making a reservation.

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.

Cotton House Hotel is home to 83 guest rooms, five of which are suites, each very large and with excellent city views. It also has a restaurant, a rooftop pool and a bar. The hotel is part of the Autograph Collection, a collection of distinctive, locally inspired properties within the Marriott Bonvoy program — so you can expect to mix and mingle with Bonvoy loyalists as well as guests from all over the world.

How to book Cotton House Hotel

Since Cotton House Hotel is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, expect rates to be on the higher side. You can book a room at Cotton House Hotel directly through the property’s website from 52,000 to 105,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. TPG’s September 2024 valuations peg Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.85 cents per point.

Cash rates start around $300 and go up to $800, depending on the season. I booked with cash during the peak summer travel season, so I expected rates to be higher. I ended up paying $585 per night for a two-night stay. The nightly points rate for my dates was 88,000, so I was more than happy to pay the cash rate instead of redeeming 176,000 Bonvoy points.

Those holding The Platinum Card® from American Express should consider booking via the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program in order to unlock extras like noon check-in (based on availability), guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, a room upgrade at check-in (if available), daily breakfast for two and a $150 property credit to be used during your stay.

When booking Cotton House Hotel, you’ll want to use one of the credit cards that earns the most points for Marriott stays, as well as one that possibly offers automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status for value-added benefits. These include:

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Platinum Elite status; and 25 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Gold Elite status; and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Gold Elite status; and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Gold Elite status; and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Silver Elite status; and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card: Earn 3 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Silver Elite status; and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.

The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

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

I booked a Panama queen room for my two-night stay but was upgraded to a 576-square-foot Madras deluxe king city view room due to my Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status. I had considered using some Nightly Upgrade Awards to get a suite, but I decided the likelihood was low due to the property only having five suites.

My room was on the fifth floor, and I enjoyed walking up the artistic spiral staircase that reminded me of my days living in a New York City walk-up building.

Once I reached my floor, I walked down a short hallway to my room. When I entered, I was immediately in the bathroom, which had a walkway leading to the bedroom.

In other words, once I passed through the bathroom, I was in the main part of the room, which seemed logistically unique.

The room was very large, bright and tastefully appointed. The king-size bed was incredibly comfortable and featured 300-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, plus fluffy pillows with bronze accents on the pillowcases. It was safe to say I slept like a baby.

On each side of the bed were nightstands with lamps and European power outlets. One side featured a glass refillable water bottle, and the other side had a standard hotel-branded notepad and pens. Next to one of the nightstands was a comfortable leather chair ideal for post-exploration lounging.

There was a large desk area where I was greeted with a note and some welcome gifts — I especially enjoyed the candied almonds.

I was surprised to see there was no proper desk chair, though, and all that was provided was a backless vanity-style ottoman. Trying to do work here for an extended period of time was quite uncomfortable.

Above the desk area was a 40-inch flat-screen TV that did not have access to any streaming services. I would have liked to see a bigger TV and the ability to connect my devices to it. However, at the end of the day, I was on a short trip to Barcelona and spent most of my time exploring this amazing city and not watching TV, so this wasn’t a big deal.

The room had all the standard amenities you would expect, like a fully stocked minifridge and bar area that was on the pricier side, a coffee maker, a tea kettle and a small closet and wardrobe with a robe and a safe.

The views of the street below from my room were spectacular through the one large window. The windows opened slightly, but I wish they had opened more. When I did open the windows, the street noise was quite loud, as the hotel is located on one of the main roads in Barcelona, which is something to note.

The crisp white bathroom area was divided into three distinct parts.

The sink and vanity area were in the bathroom’s main entry. Monogrammed towels were a nice touch and added to the overall sense of luxury throughout the space.

A separate room housed the shower and bathtub, and this space felt massive. The rainfall showerhead provided excellent water pressure. The toiletries were produced by the Italian brand Ortigia Sicilia.

The toilet was in another separate wash closet. Given the hefty nightly price tag, I was a bit disappointed that the bathroom didn’t have a bidet.

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

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

According to Cotton House Hotel’s accessibility page, there are accessible rooms with various features to suit different guests’ needs. The hotel is Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant throughout, with wheelchair-friendly hallways. Despite the hotel’s many staircases, each floor is wheelchair accessible via elevator. As such, all amenities, including the hotel’s gym, spa and rooftop, were accessible to those with limited mobility.

Accessible guest rooms include mobility features like roll-in showers. However, those with hearing and visual impairments may not have the easiest time staying here, as the hotel does not have hearing- or visually accessible rooms.

If you need specific amenities, you should contact the hotel directly to ensure its accommodations meet your needs.

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.

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