The Gallery Hotel exudes style from the moment guests enter the lobby, with its gold leaf ceiling, and classic front desk area with deep purple walls and wooden key stand. Deep purple leather and velvet sofas with nailhead trim give the lobby a simultaneously fancy and inviting feel. The walls are hung with bright, contemporary artwork, much of which is for sale. The El Café del Gallery dining room is sleek and modern, with a spacious and shaded adjoining terrace that's open for breakfast -- complete with free newspapers, and fresh flowers and herbs on the tables. The Gallery Space bar, a local gathering spot nestled in a passage between two neighboring streets, is decorated with rustic barrels under banks of hanging Japanese lanterns. On the roof terrace, by the pool, Top Grill and Cocktails offers great views of Barcelona under a wood and glass pergola -- perfect for sunbathing and designer cocktails. In the evenings, there is occasional live music.

The Gallery Hotel is located in the Eixample district -- an area surrounded by bars and restaurants, and adjacent to the Paseo de Gracia, known for its luxury shopping. Several Gaudi buildings are nearby, including La Pedrera. It is a 15-minute walk to the Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas, a popular pedestrian stretch. The metro is 50 yards from the entrance, and the train station is less than half a mile, with frequent rail service to the airport and the rest of Spain. Tourists and business travelers alike will find this an ideal -- and peaceful -- location for a Barcelona stay.

Rooms at the Gallery Hotel are sophisticated and modern, with rich drapes and upholstery in blacks, bronzes, and purples, and contemporary furniture built with African rosewood. The hotel refurbished rooms in 2015 and 2016, and some of the older-style rooms received fresh decor elements like patterned accent walls and sleek new headboards. Bottled mineral water is free in rooms upon arrival, and minibars are well-stocked with quality items. Flat-screen TVs have satellite and pay movie channels. Bathrooms are modern and marble, with shower/tub combos. Superior Rooms offer pillow menus, DVD players, shoeshines, and upgraded bath amenities; Deluxe Rooms include Nespresso machines. Courtyard View Rooms are quieter, but first floor rooms may incur noise from the metro underneath. Be aware that not all rooms have windows.

The jewel of the Gallery Hotel is the rooftop pool and solarium, with sofa-like sun beds and gorgeous views of the city. Live music is offered on some evenings, while Top Grill and Cocktails serves designer cocktails (like the GinTOPnic and VodkaTOPnic) along with tapas, salads, oysters, and more. Other dining options include El Café del Gallery restaurant -- for Mediterranean cuisine and a weekend tasting menu -- and The Gallery Space Bar -- for coffee, tapas, and sandwiches. Breakfast consists of scrumptious pastries, Spanish hams, and cheeses. The hotel's fitness center is small, with a few cardio machines and free weights. Towels, bottled water, lockers, and apples are provided for workouts or after a sauna. Massage is available in rooms by appointment. The Gallery has several event spaces suitable for meetings or special occasions.