Catalonia’s capital city blends the fiery and cultivated Catalan spirit with ultra-modern design and technology. Spreading out from the architectural wonders of Antoni Gaudi’s Basílica de la Sagrada Família cathedral, Barcelona’s boulevards and streets buzz with life and vitality. From your rooftop plunge pool you can gaze out across the city skyline to the dreaming spires of Gaudi’s masterwork and the blue-chip waters of the Mediterranean beyond. As you would expect, Barcelona’s luxury hotels take bold design concepts and integrate them into both stylish old world inns, and brand new techno-buildings. The city’s five star hotels and up-market B&Bs sit neatly among Barcelona’s dining scene, where Michelin-starred restaurants abound and classy street cafés let you absorb the everyday life of the city. With a history going back for 2,000 years, Barcelona’s museums and art galleries are a haven for culture vultures. Its Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) is filled with UNESCO World Heritage sites and, of course, the immense, inescapable, and unfinished, Sagrada Família cathedral, which has been under construction since 1882. We have designed a list of incomparable Barcelona hotels for you to consider. Bon dia, Catalonia!
Rating: 8.7
Kimpton Vividora Hotel, an IHG Hotel, is a five-star retreat in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. The luxury hotel sits in-between two of the city’s most iconic landmarks – the Plaça de Catalunya and the Cathedral of Barcelona. Guests can also take a quick Uber or Taxi ride to get to the nearby Sant Miquel beach.
Named “Hotel of the Week” by Conde Nast Traveler, the Kimpton Vividora Hotel provides guests with an old-world experience blended with high-end amenities. The guest rooms and specialty suites feature vibrant Mediterranean colours as well as spacious bathrooms with deep tubs. Kimpton Vividora’s designers furnished each accommodation to mimic the aesthetic of luxurious Barcelona apartments.
With three restaurants, there is no shortage of dining options. Guests can choose between Café Got, Fauna, or the rooftop eatery Terraza De Vivi. The hotel services authentic Catalonian dishes with modern-day flavours. Each restaurant doubles as a space for meetings and private events.
The hotel’s rooftop pool lets guests cool off while enjoying 360-views of the surrounding Gothic Quarter. There’s also a state-of-the-art gym that is open 24/7. And unlike many hotels in Barcelona, Kimpton Vividora allows pets (if they can fit in an elevator, that is). The concierge staff even has food and toys for furry friends.
Rating: 8.7
Just minutes away from Plaça de Catalunya and Barceloneta Beach, Ohla Barcelona is a luxury hotel and historic Catalonian landmark. The lavish building sits next to some of the city’s highest-rated restaurants, including Luigi Ristorante – Via Laietana and Asian Ways (Gótico). Moreover, the hotel’s neighborhood boasts various posh retail stores.
Ohla Barcelona is full of traditional Spanish art. Pieces by Joan Priego and Samuel Salcedo line the building’s walls. Each of the hotel’s 74 rooms has contemporary furniture, wooden floors, and local artwork. There are standard rooms, ranging from 25 SQ M to 31 SQM, and a handful of suites.
The Ohla Barcelona’s Caelis restaurant features contemporary cuisine and an open kitchen and fine dining room headed by Chef Romain Fornell. The dining does not stop there; the hotel also has a gastronomic and tapas bar – La Plassohla. This hip eatery can host up to 60 guests and has stunning views of Carrer Comtal.
Ohla Barcelona offers excellent services to its guests – a personal shopper, driver, a bath butler, and a fitness curator. On the top of the hotel, there’s a rooftop pool that measures 13 metres in length. Guests can enjoy a drink on the rooftop while taking in astonishing views of the surrounding city.
Rating: 8.7
The Monument Hotel is conveniently located in Barcelona’s Eixample district, just minutes away from famous Casa Milà. This luxury hotel sits next to some of the city’s finest stores – BOSS, Louis Vuitton, and Prada. And while this isn’t a beachfront hotel, it’s only a 4-kilometer Uber drive to get to Barceloneta Beach.
Inside of a pre-modern mansion, the five-star Monument hotel stunningly captures Barcelona’s modern-day gothic feel. Accommodations range from a 30 sq m Deluxe room to a 130 sq m Penthouse Suite. Each room boasts stylish wood floors and sophisticated brickwork. Guests can enjoy scenic views of the hotel’s courtyard, Mallorca Street, or Paseo de Gracia.
This refined hotel features five signature restaurants: Lasarte, Oria, Glasss, Verbana, and the Hall0 Cocktail Bar. Headed by chef Martín Berasategui, the hotel’s dining establishments have four Michelin Stars. Twice a month, there’s a Sunday Brunch served at the Glasss Restaurant and the Verbana Terrace.
There’s a sixth-floor terrace, surrounded by lush flora, where guests can take in draw-dropping views of Paseo de Gracia. To cool down under the Spanish sun, visitors can take a swim in the hotel’s 72 sq m rooftop pool. The Monument Hotel also offers catering and dining services on its chic rooftop.
No matter how nice your luxury hotel in Barcelona is, you will undoubtedly be itching to get out and explore this top-rated European destination. Barcelona is rich in culture, and there is so much to experience beyond the famous landmarks. So, here are seven of the best (non-touristy) things to do and see during your time in one of Spain’s most happening cities.
One of the most luxurious and memorable experiences you can have in Barcelona is to go on a sailing trip. However, you don’t need to cram onto a catamaran with 20 other people. Instead, you can hire a private yacht charter to escort you around the coastline. Spend the day stopping off in the surrounding port villages, then watch the sunset on board with some fine wine and fresh seafood.
While there are plenty of shops in Barcelona city centre, for the best shopping experience, head to La Roca Village 40 minutes from town. The unique-looking outlook resembles a 19th-century village and has a much more peaceful atmosphere than the bustling ‘La Rambla’ shopping street in the city centre. Here, you will find all the top designer brands, such as Michael Kors, Burberry, Ralph Lauren, and Versace.
If you’re a football fan and happen to be in town during football season, the VIP experience at FC Barcelona is a must. With this special package, you’ll get treated like royalty. First, your very own hostess will take you on a pre-game tour, then you’ll enjoy fine dining in the Club’s private lounge. Then a personalized chauffeur will escort you back to your luxury hotel after the game.
If you want to taste some of the finest Catalan wine, take a private tour to Clos de L’obac, one of the most prestigious wineries in the region of Priorat. Your chauffeur will pick you up from your luxury hotel in Barcelona and drive you two hours through the beautiful Catalan countryside to the exclusive winery. Here you will learn about the process of making the wines before your private tasting experience.
Barcelona has an abundance of rooftop bars that are magical at sunset. I recommend either Sky Bar or Azimuth. Both bars whip up top-class cocktails, have excellent service, and give breathtaking views of the city skyline.
Most tourists think of Barceloneta as just the beach area. However, this is one of the most happening districts for eating and drinking, too. Here, you will find many excellent fresh seafood restaurants, bars, and clubs. Aside from fantastic ocean views, you’ll find some of the best food at Restaurant Barceloneta. This upscale eatery serves excellent steak, seafood, and wine. Afterwards, taste your way through the cocktail menu at the elegant OneOcean Club located in Marina Port Vell. Or you can try your luck with a few games of poker or American roulette at Casino Barcelona.
European city breaks can be exhausting, so it’s always nice to finish your holiday with a bit of pampering. Aire de Barcelona is the most unique and most tranquil spa you can find in the city centre. This dimly lit stone bathhouse is located underground for a peaceful ambience. It has an ancient Romanesque style and multiple thermal baths. Aside from soaking in the warm pools, you can enjoy massages and a wide range of treatments, too. You’ll also find that most luxury hotels in Barcelona will also offer an in-house massage and spa service, so be sure to enquire at concierge about this service.