The welcome
After a short taxi journey from Barcelona Sants railway station, we locate Casa Bonay thanks to its restaurant and coffee-shop signs at the side of the Gran Via de Les Corts Catalanes – the hip boutique hotel eschews anything as square as a frontage emblazoned with its name. The front desk is manned by a cast of young, cheery Spaniards – the two youthful guys who take care of us immediately make us feel at home, and we’re soon checked in.
The neighbourhood
Situated a block from the Tetuan Metro station, which gives easy access to the entire city, Casa Bonay is also walking distance from key tourist locations including Gaudí’s iconic Sagrada Familia and eccentric Casa Batlló. The immediate area seems safe, relaxed and not overly busy for such a big city. If you’re in Barcelona for shopping as well as sightseeing, there are plenty of clothing stores nearby, too. A slightly lengthier stroll will take you into the mazy Gothic Quarter.
The room
Our third-floor “courtyard medium” room looks out from an indoor “balcony” over a distinctly Spanish courtyard that makes you feel like you’re in the heart of “real” Barcelona – full of local residents’ garden furniture and washing hung out to dry. The building dates from 1869, and many original elements have been conserved, including tiled floors and kitschy sliding doors to the balcony and bathroom. The balcony features a cute nest of hexagonal mini-tables, a stylish open clothes rail, sofa, minibar, kettle, safe, and in a thoughtful touch, a yoga kit. The bedroom has a huge ceiling fan as well as AC, and keeps things simple with its minimal design. The bathroom is small but functional, with basin, toilet and rain shower. Fixtures and fittings throughout use a pleasing amount of matte black.
The service
Very genuine, without any over-familiarity. Our bearded, tattooed waiter at dinner is so clued-up about the excellent menu, you suspect he might have concocted it himself.
The scene
Despite the hotel’s hipster-friendly elements, the spread of guests won’t have you feeling uncool – they’re primarily European and range in age from early 20s to middle-aged couples. Satan’s Coffee Corner is the best hangout spot in the hotel, and €2.20 (Dh9) will get you a mean cortado – a milky Spanish take on the espresso.
The food
Satan’s provides the breakfast dishes in Libertine (also a cocktail bar and noon-to-midnight restaurant). It focuses on simple but lovingly made à la carte breakfast staples in distinctly Spanish style, such as the sourdough toast with fresh tomato, cured meats, local sausages and cheeses (€7.20 [Dh30]). Dinner at Elephant Crocodile Monkey is better still. My dining partner doesn’t normally eat duck, but can’t get enough of the pato à la minute (oak-fired barbecued duck with fresh tomatoes and parsnips; €25.20 [Dh105]). Even the bread is special, with seaweed butter and smoked salt (€2.70 [Dh11]).
Loved
All the meals and Satan’s, the view from the room and the products sold in reception – from fashionable men’s shirts to the hotel’s range of toiletries.
Hated
Zip, zero, zilch. Indeed, it’s so likeable, we cancel a booking at another hotel in favour of a third night at Casa Bonay.
The verdict
A boutique hotel to truly turn your holiday into a delight, while making you feel at home – and fantastic value, too.
The bottom line
Double rooms at Casa Bonay (www.casabonay.com) cost from €143 (Dh589) per night, including Wi-Fi and taxes, but excluding breakfast.
aworkman@thenational.ae
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Company%20Profile
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Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
RESULTS
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
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Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
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Uefa Champions League play-off
First leg: Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Ajax v Dynamo Kiev
Second leg: Tuesday, August 28, 11pm (UAE)
Dynamo Kiev v Ajax
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UAE squad
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Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Indika
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Abu Dhabi Card
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 1,400m
National selection: AF Mohanak
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 90,000 1,400m
National selection: Jayide Al Boraq
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 100,000 1,400m
National selection: Rocket Power
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh 180,000 1,600m
National selection: Ihtesham
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,600m
National selection: Noof KB
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 2.200m
National selection: EL Faust
Company%20profile
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Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
Company%20profile
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THE SPECS
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch
Power: 710bhp
Torque: 770Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 340km/h
Price: Dh1,000,885
On sale: now
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club race card
5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
5.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
6pm: Maiden (PA); Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (PA) Listed; Dh180,000; 1,600m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 2,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (PA); Dh100,000; 2,400m