Lee and I checked out a new Barcelona hotel this weekend, and more importantly, their bars! The hotel is called Me, and is owned by the Spanish chain Sol Meliá , better known for their resorts and Tryp hotels. From what I can tell, Me intends to be the chicer, cavalli-clad, coked-out sister-in-law of the Sol Meliá brand. A visit to their website is an intimidating reminder that there are a lot cooler, tanner, and better dressed people staying at their hotel than at Somnio. A visit to their hotel didn't quite live up to the website that boasts "an experienced based personality hotel" that will "seduce the open mind with art, design, music and cuisine." We've moved on from design hotels to personality hotels now? I didn't get the memo.

However, there was a list to even get into the hotel lobby bar and further security to ascend to Angels & Kings, the rock bar made famous (?) by part owner Pete Wentz (AKA Ashley Simpsons baby daddy). The place was full of sleek leather banquettes, and the walls were adorned with famous rocker's mugshots. The best part was the outside pool lounge with private cabana tables and tables surrounding the pool. I was amazed at the size of the crowd. The hotel is located about a twenty minute cab ride from the center of Barcelona, so I'm sure the novelty will wear off fast. From a guests' perspective, either you'd think it was cool to be paying to stay at a hotel so exclusive that it requires bouncers and a list or, more likely, highly annoying.