79 Best Hotels in Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona’s hotel trade may be centuries removed from Miguel de Cervantes's 17th-century description of it as a fountain of courtesy and a shelter for strangers, but in the 400 years or so since Don Quixote was written, the city continues to pamper and impress visitors.
Barcelona's pre-Olympics hotel surge in the early 1990s was matched only by its post-Olympics hotel surge in the early 2000s. The city is the premier tourist destination in Spain, and the major cruise port in the Mediterranean. Architects like Ricardo Bofill and Rafael Moneo have changed the skyline with skyscraper hotels of eye-popping luxury; the real heroes of this story, however, are the architect-designer teams that take one after another of the city’s historic properties and restore them with an astonishing tour de force of taste. Hotel restaurants, too—from the Arts' Enoteca to the Mandarin’s Moments—are among the superstar attractions in the city's gastronomic scene.
Hotels in the Barri Gòtic and along La Rambla now compete with the newer lodgings in the Eixample, or west along Diagonal; waterfront monoliths like the W Barcelona, removed from the bustle of midtown, set the standard for upscale hospitality. Many Eixample hotels occupy restored late 19th- or early 20th-century town houses. The Claris, the Majestic Hotel & Spa, the Monument, the Hotel Neri, and the Colón mix style and luxury with a sense of place.
Small hotels in the Ciutat Vella, such as the Sant Agustí, Hotel Market, or Hotel Chic & Basic Born are considerably less expensive and—in the accommodations you'll find listed here—at no substantial sacrifice of comfort and convenience. Wherever you choose to stay, you'll never be far from anything you'll want to see and do in this hospitable city.
Majestic Hotel & Spa
With an unbeatable location on Barcelona's most stylish boulevard—steps from Gaudí's La Pedrera and near the area's swankiest shops—and a stunning rooftop terrace with killer views of the city’s landmarks, this hotel is a near-perfect place to stay. Rooms are in a classical-contemporary palate of white, beige, and dove-gray textiles, set off by ticking stripes or a sky-blue accent wall. The hotel offers "Majestic Experiences" which include exclusive private tours. The Majestic also has 28 apartments in a separate building that offer the same services as the hotel itself.
Alexandra Barcelona Hotel
Part of Hilton’s upscale Curio Collection, the real draw about the Hotel Alexandra are the surprisingly affordable suites with private terraces and Moderniste suites with turn-of-the century Catalan floor tiles. Set in a 19th-century building, the interior design is sleek, with minimalist guest rooms and Priya bath products. The on-site restaurant, Solomillo, serves some of the best steak in town.
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Almanac Barcelona
Occupying a prime position on Barcelona’s Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, a stone’s throw from Gaudí’s modernist buildings on Passeig de Gràcia, this is a boutique-style hotel wrapped up in supreme luxury. Two 18th and 20th century buildings house refined and polished interiors, oozing gilded Art Deco opulence with a sleek contemporary aesthetic curated by local interior design studio Jaime Beriestain. Rooms are bathed in natural light, fully soundproofed and equipped with the latest technology, including a smartphone and tablet that guests can take with them to aid them in exploring the city, and for making complimentary international calls. Marble bathrooms with gold taps and walk-in rain showers add a level of exclusivity; some rooms have large deep soak tubs.
The Terrace Suite is worth the extra splurge for its additional living room, and its private wood-decked terrace with seating area, outdoor heater and fabulous views.
Downstairs is a spa as well as the high-ceilinged Virens restaurant, which specializes in plant-based cuisine and also serves a range of home-made fermented and sparkling drinks, as an introduction to "green" mixology. Upstairs, there's a huge rooftop terrace with sweeping bird’s-eye views of the city and the perennial La Sagrada Família beyond. A private area for guests features a wading pool and sun loungers.
The Barcelona EDITION
The Edition hotels are known for their sleek, minimalist design and top-notch food and drink options, and the Barcelona outpost adds a breezy 10th-floor terrace with sweeping views. The sights of El Born, Barri Gòtic, and the Eixample are within walking distance, though the rooftop bar and Punch Room cocktail bar are destinations in their own rights. Combining an unbeatable downtown location, design to die for, and a level of personalized service that is second to none, it's no wonder that The Barcelona EDITION consistently ranks among the Catalan capital's most envy-inducing luxury stays.
El Palace Hotel Barcelona
Founded in 1919 by Caesar Ritz, the original Ritz (the grande dame of Barcelona hotels) was renamed in 2005 but kept its lavish, timeless style intact, from the liveried doormen in top hats to the opulent mirrored lobby lounge. Guest rooms follow suit, with Regency furniture and flocked wallpaper and fireplaces; the Classic Deluxe doubles have the step-down Roman-style marble baths, complete with mosaics, from the original 1919 building, or enter the worlds of Ronnie Wood, Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, and Joséphine Baker as you step into one of the six signature Art Suites inspired by former prominent guests. The sumptuous rooftop garden is hung with wisteria and features a pool, restaurant, and stunning panoramic views. Drop in for a drink in the lobby bar or enjoy live performances of blues, jazz, or Afro-Cuban music in the hotel's legendary Bluesman cocktail bar.
Hotel Cram
A short walk from La Rambla, this Eixample design hotel offers impeccable midcity accommodations with cheerful avant-garde decor and luxurious details. Rooms are set in circular corridors around a seven-story atrium; decor takes the standard neutral hotel palate and adds a splash of red for a light airy feeling. Most have balconies. Bathrooms have high-pressure showerheads, and full amenities including robes and slippers. The rooftop terrace has a long, narrow pool and good views of Montjuïc and Tibidabo; breakfast is served here from 7 to 11. The romantic Ànemos restaurant on the seventh floor is open only in summer; the comfortable lounge and cocktail bar on the lobby level is shared with the adjacent Angle restaurant, under the supervision of celebrated chef Jordi Cruz.
Kimpton Vividora Hotel
Every Kimpton hotel is designed to reflect the character of the city it inhabits and, in the case of Kimpton Vividora, that means Mediterranean blues and earthy terra-cotta hues mixed with bright splashes of color and a lush rooftop terrace with stunning views. An excellent selection of food and drinks are available on the ground floor GOT Coffee & Cocktails, first-floor Fauna restaurant, and at Terraza de Vivi on the rooftop. Rooms come in a variety of sizes and setups, with king, queen, or twin beds and feature sustainable bath products specially designed for Kimpton Vividora. Superior King rooms have balconies while the suites feature terraces with jaw-dropping views. All pets are welcome as long as they fit in the elevator, at no extra cost.
ME Barcelona
Apart from being within a 10-minute walk of nearly all Barcelona's major sites, this ultra-swanky hotel also offers an impressive array of services in house, including three restaurants, a cocktail bar, an enormous courtyard dining and drinking patio, a rooftop terrace with heated pool, and a 24-hour fitness center. The hotel is also a good choice for climate-conscious travelers, with its many smart energy-saving technologies, including the use of water and heat recovery systems, and focus on seasonal, local produce in its food and beverage outlets.
Monument Hotel
Originally the home of Enric Batlló, a brother of the textile magnate who commissioned Gaudí to redesign the Moderniste masterpiece Casa Batlló, and a minute's walk away on the Passeig de Gràcia, the historic 1898 building that houses the Monument went through several incarnations before it was transformed into the elegant upmarket hotel it is today. The luxurious lobby-lounge area, with its plush sofas and red and gold throw pillows, leads back to the Monument's two Michelin-starred restaurants: one-star Oria and the world-famous, three-star Lasarte. Above, the suites and junior suites are grouped around the building's impressive central atrium, with parquet floors, exposed brick feature walls, oak paneling, and king-size beds; all rooms have smart TVs and safety boxes with laptop chargers; bathrooms have big soaker tubs, double vanities, and walk-in showers; amenities include robes, slippers, complimentary snacks and lush Diptyque toiletries.
Primero Primera
The Perez family converted their apartment building on a leafy side street in the quiet, upscale, residential neighborhood of Tres Torres and opened it as an exquisitely designed, homey boutique hotel. (Primero primera refers to the flat on the first floor, where grandma still lives.) Nuria Perez and her designer-architect colleagues were responsible for the makeover, keeping essential features like the spiral central stairwell, and creating a retro-modern ambience, with lounges appointed like a posh members' club that invite you to sink into one of the leather armchairs and relax. Rooms have twin- or king-size beds and ample wardrobes; bathrooms have black-slate floors, stretch-out tubs, and Gilchrist & Soames toiletries. Ask for No. 42, with a balcony and view of the street, or A-6 on the top floor, with access to the rooftop terrace. A spacious meeting room and a chill-out oasis in back, with a small wading pool—perfect for kids—add to the appeal.
Seventy Barcelona
The lobby’s spectacular design, with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, giant artworks, and a buzzy central cocktail bar, sets the tone of this vibrant boutique hotel that’s a hit with guests and caffeine-seeking locals. Bedrooms have a modern, premium feel; the plush finish compensating for the lack of outside space on most room categories. There’s also a leafy courtyard patio for meals, a spacious rooftop terrace with pool, and an organic, vegan spa.
Yurbban Passage Hotel & Spa
Guests and locals alike rave about the rooftop terrace at the Yurbban Passage and with good reason: the panoramic view is hands-down one of the best in the city at this hip, casual hotel, which offers that hard-to-find mix of comfort, location and design at an accessible price point. Set right on the border of La Ribera and Eixample, Yurbban Passage is posher than her sister next door, Yurbban Trafalgar, at C/ Trafalgar 30, which is less chic and more affordable.
ABaC Hotel
This classy boutique hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant is located in the environs of Gràcia, at the base of Avenida Tibidado, and provides a complete respite from the bustle of the city. A lush garden and terrace surrounded by ivory-clad walls creates a cool, external space to relax on soft outdoor seating, while spacious rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows that bathe the rooms in natural light, accentuated by neutral beige and white hues, deep velvet throws, rich fabrics and enormous beds dressed in the finest linens. Huge Bang & Olufsen flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, iPads, and rain showers come as standard in every room. In a listed building that dates back to the 19th century, and joined to a minimalist chalet-like glass and wood pavilion box, there’s a subterranean spa with relaxation pool and submerged loungers for watery repose. The hotel houses one of the city’s finest restaurants, headed by Catalonia’s extraordinary culinary genius, Jordi Cruz.
Alma Hotel Barcelona
The facade recalls the Moderniste origins of this wonderful building, but the redesigned inside spaces make the Alma one of Barcelona's sleekest mid-Eixample hotels. It's sophisticated and comfortable, with a spectacular ground-to-crown atrium in the lobby that serves as a dramatic art gallery. There's also a wonderful flagstoned, wisteria-hung garden out back where you the superb Jardín del Alma restaurant is located. There are no keys or coded cards: you access your room and the spa with your fingerprint, taken when you check in. Rooms, in neutral soothing tones of gray and brown, are spacious and comfortably furnished, with roomy double-headed walk-in showers. Rooms overlook the garden and have warm wood paneling and parquet floors.
Almanac Barcelona
This five-star chic boutique hotel, just steps from the bustling Passeig de Gràcia, offers a sleek and restful refuge. Pristine floor-to-ceiling marble bathrooms and plush king size beds may have something to do with it. The unbeatable location alone is worth the stay, and a room with a view of the city below is a smart splurge.
Arai Aparthotel 4*S
You couldn't ask for a more convenient location from which to explore Barcelona's Barri Gòtic—or for a lodging more elegant. The Arai is filled with exquisite pieces of art, sculpture, and tapestry, which perfectly complement this 18th-century former palace. All rooms include an equipped kitchen.
Casa Camper Barcelona
A marriage between the Camper footwear empire and the (now defunct) Vinçon design store produced this 21st-century hotel halfway between La Rambla and the MACBA (Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art), with a focus on sustainability (think solar panels and water recycling). There's a free 24-hour snack bar in the lobby, and an honesty bar on the rooftop terrace. Rooms require a tolerance for splashy red accents; those on the garden side of the hotel all have separate sitting rooms across the corridor, complete with hammocks and sofa beds. The cocktail bar downstairs features British club–style deep leather armchairs and two billiard tables. The Dos Palillos restaurant next door is worth a visit for its experimental takes on Asian-fusion cuisine.
Casa Sagnier
This boutique hotel set in the meticulously restored former home of one of Barcelona's most notable architects is sure to make design lovers swoon. Warm and cozy, there is a welcoming vibe throughout in the building that local starchitect Enric Sagnier designed back in 1892 as his workplace and family home. What was once Sagnier's studio is now the Grand Suite, a luxurious first-floor space with high ceilings and giant windows overlooking the Rambla Catalunya. The top-floor rooms have private terraces with sun beds and outdoor showers.
Casagrand Luxury Suites
Perfect for large families and groups, this apartment-hotel features sprawling four- and five-bedroom luxury apartments, plus a more affordable one-bedroom penthouse, in a stunning 1929 domed building right on Avenida Diagonal. Outfitted with sleek designer furnishings, the accommodations all have a full kitchen, dining area, and laundry facilities, making them ideal for longer stays.
Condes de Barcelona
The Condes de Barcelona is perfectly placed for exploring the sights (and shops) of the city's most fashionable quarter, and—for the privileged location—offers great value. Classic rooms are decorated in contemporary neutral tones, with hardwood floors; some have small balconies overlooking an interior garden. Newer Condal rooms have decor in soft grays and teal; bathrooms have double vanities, charcoal slate walls and floors, and Rituals toiletries. The spacious Alaire rooftop terrace has a plunge pool, an excellent bar-restaurant, and great views of the Eixample. Reserve rooms well in advance—demand is high, and early reservations score bargain rates.
The Corner Hotel
This hip hotel, positioned (yes, you guessed it) on a corner, has been fashioned from a handsome, turn-of-the-century building within a few blocks of Gaudí’s key sights on Passeig de Gràcia. The rooftop terrace has a fabulous pool and panoramic views that span the city center from Montjuïc to the Sagrada Família. Rooms are comfortable, melding neutral tones and industrial design, and come with nifty technology such as Bluetooth connection so you can play your own music, if you wish. Go for a Corner Room for more space and natural light. Downstairs, in the distinctly vibey lobby-bar, there is live music on most evenings and locals and guests intermingle from morning until night. In winter, don’t miss settling down with a drink by the open fire.
Duquesa de Cardona
A 16th-century town house, built when the Passeig de Colom in front was lined with the summer homes of the nobility, houses this waterfront hotel a five-minute walk from everything in the Barri Gòtic and Barceloneta. The rooftop terrace, with two plunge pools and a tapas bar, has a spectacular view of the harbor and marina.
Gallery Hotel
In the upper part of the Eixample, below the Diagonal, this contemporary hotel offers impeccable service and a superb central location for exploring, with the city's prime art-gallery district just a few blocks away on Consell de Cent. Rooms are open and airy, with contemporary decor in white and beige, parquet floors, and windows with excellent soundproofing; the furniture is a bit boxy and generic, but comfortable. The hotel's best feature is the Gallery Space, a covered arcade along the length of the building, set with tables leading back to the gardens of the Palau Robert (ideal for a drink or a quick bite). Two ample rooftop terraces boast a long narrow pool (open year-round), a bar-restaurant, and DJ or live music sessions on summer weekends. The Gallery is popular with business travelers, but gets a lot of tourist trade as well.
Gran Hotel la Florida
Peace, privacy, and a stunning panoramic view set this luxurious mountaintop retreat apart. Built high above the city in 1925 by the pharmaceutical magnate Dr. Salvador Andreu as a retreat for Barcelona's well-to-do, it became a hotel in 2003 after a complete renovation. Guest rooms are done in soothing tones of beige, white, and brown, with the original hardwood plank floors, and king-size beds; suites are huge, with decor and touches by design celebrities like Philippe Starck and Rebeca Horn. Bathrooms have double vanities, soaker tubs, and showers the size of walk-in closets. Lie back and savor the view from the sprawling garden terrace, with access to the L-shaped indoor-outdoor pool. Be aware: unless you've come by car, plan on settling in. It's a pricey 20-minute taxi ride into Barcelona, and the hotel's own free shuttle service to the top of Passeig de Grácia runs only four times a day, with the last return at 4:30 pm. There is nothing anywhere nearby the hotel itself except for the Tibidabo amusement park (great if you have youngsters in tow, but a bit of a distraction if you've come for a romantic weekend).
H10 Montcada
A short walk from the attractions of the Gothic Quarter and the Born-Ribera district, the Montcada is a good choice for comfort and convenience. The lobby is an amiable design-y mismatch of deep leather armchairs and sofas, Noguchi lamps, globes, and knickknacks; room decor is in white and warm neutral tones, with hardwood floors and paneled walls: minimalist and tasteful. Amenities include coffee machines, robes, and slippers. The hotel's standout best feature is the rooftop deck, around three sides of the building, with a sauna, Jacuzzi, and great views of the Gothic Quarter, the Cathedral, and Montjuïc.
Hotel Arts Barcelona
This luxurious Ritz-Carlton-owned, 44-story hotel is just steps from the beach and the buzz of the newly remodeled Port Olímpic. Elegant, modern rooms offer sweeping sea and city views, and plush amenities include two large outdoor pools, a spa overlooking the Mediterranean, and a two-Michelin-starred restaurant.
Hotel Astoria
Three blocks west of Rambla Catalunya, near the upper middle of the Eixample, this renovated classic property is a treasure for the budget-minded. Guest rooms are bright and spacious, with dark polished hardwood floors, nice lighting, and a choice of twin or double beds. Bathrooms have long single vanities and good-size stall showers with rain heads. There's a rooftop terrace with a small plunge pool, a bar, and panoramic views; the suites on the floor just below have small private terraces of their own, though no particular view. The ornate marble lobby boasts a remarkable collection of drawings by the Catalan artist Ricard Opisso, a pal of Picasso's and one of the original members of the Four Cats salon. The hotel's Astor Restaurant, decorated in Parisian bistro style with Art Nouveau posters, is a very pleasant venue for lunch.
Hotel Axel
In the heart of the more fashionable Esquerra (west or "left" side) of the Eixample, this recently expanded and renovated hotel caters primarily to gay travelers in an area dubbed by locals the "Gayxample." The spacious rooms are soundproof and well lighted, with comfortable contemporary furniture and decor in white-on-white punctuated by hints of black, red, and chrome; most have queen-size beds. Suites are truly spacious, but have only a glass wall separating the bedroom from the bath: privacy sacrificed for romance. The hotel's Bench restaurant is up to par, and the rooftop deck and pool (with pool, bar, cascade, and Jacuzzi, open April–October) has good views over the city.
Hotel Bagués
The luxury of the Eixample has worked its way down to La Rambla, as this boutique gem (formerly the shop and atelier of the well-known Art Nouveau jeweler of the same name) bears ample witness. The interior is all textured concrete, hammered metal, frosted glass, recessed lighting—modern chic, but remarkably comfortable. The meeting room on the first floor houses the Bagués-Masriera museum collection of Art Nouveau jewelry and design. Rooms have leather love seats, dark wood paneling and headboards, hardwood floors, huge flat-screen TVs, and iPod docks. The bathrooms have top-tier amenities, bud vases, and big picture-frame mirrors. The Bagués is an exclusive (and pricey) retreat in an unexpected setting.