The Novotel Barcelona City hotel is situated in a 19-story silver high-rise built in 2010. A spacious lobby offers modern decor with long blue couches, neon armchairs, and bright amoeba-shaped accent rugs set against sleek black floors and gray walls. The hotel's best feature, though, is its rooftop, where guests will find a bar, sleek sitting areas, and a modern triangular outdoor pool and hot tub surrounded by a lovely wooden sundeck with loungers and panoramic city views. Both tourists and business travelers frequent this hotel, while kid-friendly amenities make it a good choice for families too. 

The Novotel Barcelona city is situated on the Avinguda Diagonal, a main road on the outskirts of Barcelona's more tourist-centered areas, in the up-and-coming neighborhood of El Poblenou. Here, industrial spaces are being converted into trendy housing for young professionals and innovative tech buildings -- case and point is the Torre Agbar, an impressive 38-story skyscraper just a block from the hotel (a two-minute walk). Restaurants and shopping are available right across the street in the Las Glorias shopping center (a two-minute walk). For attractions farther out, the Glòries subway and tram stations are just a seven-minute walk from the hotel and guests can take public transport to the heart of the city and most tourist attractions in about 25 minutes. The hotel has its own parking garage, but it costs an extra fee. 

• Seven-minute walk to Glòries subway and tram stations
• 20-minute walk to La Sagrada Família church
• 18 minutes to Passeig de Gracia via public transport
• 20 minutes to Casa Batlló via public transport
• 25 minutes to Picasso Museum via public transport
• 25 minutes to Las Ramblas via public transport
• 25 minutes to Olympic Port (waterfront and beach) via public transport
• 25 minutes to Casa Milá via public transport
• 28 minutes to Gothic Quarter via public transport
• One hour to Barcelona El Prat Airport (BAC) via public transport

The hotel has 264 guest rooms including Standard Rooms, Executive Rooms, and 22 Suites. Rooms are spacious, clean, and contemporary with tasteful -- though somewhat generic -- decor, accented with an occasional bright pop of color. In an Executive Room, for example, gray carpeting meets white walls and light wood furniture, while floor-to-ceiling windows let in lots of natural light. A hot pink upholstered desk chair provides a nice contrast to a dark wood desk. Bathrooms are roomy, with beige tile floors and white tile walls. They may include shower stalls or shower/tub combos.

Rooms have individually controlled air-conditioning and include desks, safes, and flat-screen TVs. They also have lightly stocked minibars, coffee/tea facilities, and free Wi-Fi. Upgraded rooms have Nespresso machines. Bathrooms include radios, free individual toiletries, and modern hairdryers. Some rooms have views of the neighboring office building, but others, especially those on higher floors, offer nice city views that include the Sagrada Familia church and Torre Agbar.  

The hotel offers a host of property features aimed at relaxation, the highlight of which is the 19th-floor rooftop terrace, offering excellent panoramic city views. The roof includes a small but sleek outdoor pool and hot tub surrounded by a wooden sundeck with loungers. Zity Bar, the rooftop bar, has an outdoor sitting area separate from the pool, and has the ambiance of a trendy, modern outdoor lounge. The outdoor areas are only open seasonally, however. The 19th-floor also offers a sauna and a stylish fitness room with nice wood floors and windows that overlook the terrace.

The hotel serves a daily breakfast buffet in the lobby (for an extra fee), offering an extensive range of hot and cold options. Oddly, the lobby bar is only open in the morning and is mostly used for breakfast and coffee service. The hotel also has a Mediterranean Restaurant that serves lunch and dinner. Room service is available during limited hours. 

Other amenities include a range of meeting rooms that can host up to 550 guests, while families are catered to with a small play area in the lobby with an Xbox, computer, books, and games. The hotel has an attentive staff and a concierge. Parking is available on-site, but costs an extra fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout.