They also do shoes
I only got to Barcelona about three hours ago, and got the taxi across town from the bus station before getting dropped off to wander my way through a few of the back alleys of El Raval. The alleys are narrow, the buildings close enough to each other on either side that it feels like people could pass stuff to each other across the alley if they wanted. This in contrast to the wide, wide avenues of Las Ramblas and Paseo de Gracia.
I was relieved to find Casa Camper round a corner, having cancelled my booking with the (apparently) busy and lively Hostel Kabul to come here. I´m so very, very glad I did. I don´t have a huge amount of experience of decent hotels, usually opting for cheap options with triangular bits of card on top of the TV advertising naff film premiers, so I don´t have much of a frame of reference, but this is the most incredible place I have ever stayed in. And I´ve only been here three hours. The hostel experience has its merits, but I have been sucked right in by this place.
There´s minimalist, quirky design, extensive use of recycled materials and a focus on sustainability, free food and drinks 24 hours a day from the kitchen, and I have a separate bedroom and mini lounge on opposite sides of the corridor. The bedroom has the widest bed I have ever seen, hooks everywhere to hang things from, and a flat screen TV hanging on the wall. The bathroom has the best wetroom shower I have ever used bar none, and looks out onto a wall dressed from top to bottom in huge potted aspidistras, in a perfectly symmetrical arrangement five floors high. The lounge, with another flat screen TV, looks out onto Carrer Elisabet and has a comfy sofa and a hammock. This place isn´t cheap, but I keep expecting someone to tell me the rate I paid was a joke, and I had better cough up a few hundred extra Euros.
To quote a reviewer of Casa Camper on Tripadvisor.com, I am in love.
The strange thing? Camper, who run this place, are basically a shoe company. Imagine Clarks setting up the best hotel you´ve ever stayed in? Mmm.
Tomorrow, I´m heading out to see Barcelona. Yes. Must… leave… the… hotel.
Sounds good so far…
Good hotels are inspiring. Trip advisor is invaluable. Have fun.
I think you should walk La Ramblas, but not with real intent.
Barcelona is on my list (the Good List, the list of places to visit, enjoy and appreciate. Not the Bad List, the list of places that need fine biblical endings, of which Erith or Gravesend are fine examples).
Hope you have a great time and I look forward to reading more about your time there
It looks good, in that “off the wall “style that Camper shoe stores have.
My favourite Barcelona experiences are wandering aimlessly around the Barri Gotic; chilling in Parc Guell and playing spot the Gaudi. La Pedrada is fun, if you are into architecture.
ah Camper, the shoe I nearly bought about 3 times between 2001 and 2004. Big in Spain obviously.