6 Best Hotels in Barcelona, Spain

At the edge of Gràcia, a few minutes' walk from the Eixample, this modest practical base hides an unusual feature: true to its name, it's the only hotel in Barcelona with its very own driving range and putting green (at the back of the building) in lieu of a garden. (Loaner clubs and buckets of balls are complementary for guests; coaching sessions are extra.) The rooms—all doubles—are simply furnished, with king-size or twin beds. They feature basic amenities, tile floors, and adequate but not overly generous storage space. The service is cheerful and efficient, and the accommodations are clean and impeccably maintained.

The lobby of this hip little boutique hotel in the Born, with its leather sofa and banquettes, might remind you of a Starbucks, but the rooms tell a different story: the concept for chic&basic was whimsical, edgy accommodations at affordable prices, and designer Xavier Claramunt rose to the occasion. The rooms have bare white walls; a beaded curtain separates the stall shower from the bedroom; a remote control lets you change the color of the room lights to suit your mood. There's no furniture per se, just a collection of molded plastic modular units you arrange to make tables, seats, back rests, trays—whatever you need at the moment. Standard rooms have Internet-capable TVs and small private balconies. Book through the website for two hours of free bike rental during your stay.

A 19th-century palatial home (built for the owner of the Bank of Barcelona), the Granvía opened as a hotel in 1935, and reopened in 2013 after a lengthy renovation, with its original features still intact: an art deco cupola in the entrance, coffered ceilings, pillared arches, and a marble grand staircase. The hotel combines these Moderniste public spaces with ample guest rooms of a more subdued Regency-style decor: soothing tones of white and beige-brown trestle bed tables and hardwood floors. The best rooms in the house overlook the spacious garden patio in back; rooms facing the heavily trafficked Gran Vía are bigger but can be noisy for light sleepers.

If you've ever dreamed about running away with the circus, this quirky little boutique hotel, where the walls are covered with gaily colored circus posters, is just for you. Rooms have dark hardwood floors, generic furniture, big flat-screen TVs, and tall double French doors for lots of light; some have queen-size beds. There's a pleasant terrace/lounge one flight up from the reception.

Ask for a room facing the interior garden, with an alcove.

The Praktik Garden is just a few minutes' walk from the shopping and Modernist masterpieces of the Passeig de Gràcia.

What it lacks in bells and whistles, this family-friendly little hotel makes up for in its unparalleled location—on a side street just steps from Plaça Catalunya—and its relaxed contemporary feel. The cozy library/lounge has comfortable sofa suites, subdued lighting, and antique maps of the world on the walls. The El Patio breakfast room is an open, airy space with an exposed brick feature wall and an excellent buffet. Extensively renovated for the hotel's 100th anniversary, the ample standard rooms have double sets of tall, narrow French windows (a legacy, protected, from the original 1917 historic property), hardwood floors, and minimalist decor. The Regina is a sister-property of the Hotel Pulitzer next door.

Named for the young owners who renovated and opened this hotel, the Pol & Grace is strategically located for exploring Gràcia. It's a short walk to Gaudí's Casa Vicens, and well connected by FGC train to the head of the Rambla. The ample rooms are relentlessly furnished in white, relieved by framed photos and artwork and whimsical feature walls; doubles offer a choice of twin- or king-size beds; bathrooms have roomy shower stalls and basic amenities. A huge chalkboard in the lobby, with information about local foodie guides, attractions, and events in Barcelona, is updated regularly; count on the "Innovation Area" for interesting art displays.