Turns out the hotel we moved to in Barcelona center is part of the same group as The Principal in Madrid.
After five nights in the relative burbs of the city, we made the move as scheduled to the Grand Hotel Central and what a welcome it was. Firstly, the cab ride going there had one of the friendliest drivers yet in Barcelona, who tried chatting with us in his best English. The check-in staff was swamped but it didn’t feel like they were dazed by it, and the cold welcome drink was a perfect salve to the humidity outside. When we reached the room, it was conveniently on the same floor as access to the stunning pool area and as for the room itself, it was made for staying in.
I think I know where I’ll be this afternoon.