Category: Boutique
Neighborhood: Eixample
Typical Starting/Peak Prices: $105/$175
Best for: Solo travelers, couples
On-site amenities: Wi-Fi, two bars/restaurants, a guest-only rooftop bar area
Pros: This independently owned hotel feels at one with Barcelona and we love the buzzy, local vibe of its public spaces.
Cons: Entry-level rooms are situated off an interior passageway, which makes them extremely quiet, but they lack the views and outdoor space found in the higher categories. Also, note the one mobility-impaired room has no window.
If you fancy mingling with resident hipsters, this chic boutique hotel is the place to do it. The ground-floor Libertine, a cavernous restaurant lounge decked out with comfy sofas and leather armchairs, attracts digital creatives by day and fashionable locals by night.
In warm weather, Chiringuito, the beach shack-style rooftop bar/restaurant, is the place to hang, especially for its summer barbecues. There's also a private rooftop bar area reserved for guests, and an outpost of the wildly popular Satan's Coffee Corner is just off the entry courtyard.
Each room in the restored 19th-century building has a different layout but is similar in style, with high ceilings, beautifully preserved mosaic-tile floors, brightly colored bedspreads, and hand-woven paneling. Entry-level rooms measure 172 square feet and go up to 365 square feet for the largest courtyard room with a sundeck. Mini bars are stocked with local drinks and snacks.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Category: Budget
Neighborhood: El Born
Typical Starting/Peak Prices: $112/$177
Best for: Solo travelers, couples
On-site amenities: Wi-Fi, restaurant, gym, rooftop terrace with pool and seasonal bar
Pros: We love all the extra freebies including free self-service laundry, complimentary loaner bikes and skateboards, and free use of portable Wi-Fi devices so you can be connected anywhere in the city.
Cons: Rooms and bathrooms are small and there is little closet space.
A hip, affordable stay close to all the action, this three-star boutique feels much more like a four-star hotel and is one of my personal favorites.
El Born's buzzy bar and restaurant scene is steps away, but the hotel's quieter location at the edge of the neighborhood ensures a restful night's sleep. Rooms are on the cozy side, with few bells and whistles, but are sleekly designed with dark-wood floors, industrial lighting, and clever built-ins. You can spend a bit more for one with outdoor space, but you likely won't need it once you see the roof terrace. The 360-degree views up there are among the best of any hotel in the city. Though it's always open to guests, as is the pool area and sundeck, rooftop bar service operates seasonally.
The lobby lounge, artfully designed with contemporary velvet seating and eclectic artwork, offers plenty of space to spread out. The adjacent Plat Únic restaurant serves Catalan specialties, including an excellent breakfast included in the room rate.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Book Hotel Brummell
Category: Boutique
Neighborhood: Poble Sec
Typical Starting/Peak Prices: $128/$170
Best for: Solo travelers, couples
On-site amenities: Wi-Fi, terrace with outdoor pool, sauna, lounge
Pros: The complimentary yoga and training classes are a real treat, and the residential setting feels like a true departure from most city hotels, while still being close enough to walk to the action.
Cons: Rooms skew small, and the open-plan bathrooms aren't for the shy.
Set at the foot of Montjuïc Hill in the residential neighborhood of Poble Sec, this contemporary charmer offers a slice of authentic Barcelona that few tourists see. Staying here means you're just a few minutes' walk to the city's famous tapas street, Carrer de Blai, packed with dozens of affordable tapas joints, and the young, friendly front desk staff is always eager to recommend local gems.
Wellness buffs will love the free yoga and gym classes at the next-door Garage studio, and there's a complimentary weekly running session for guests and locals up nearby Montjuïc.
The airy, high-ceilinged lobby, decorated with an eclectic mix of modern furnishings and Asian antiques, is a great hangout spot, as is the roof terrace with a plunge pool and sun loungers.
Entry-level rooms are basic and quite petite, measuring just 130 to 160 square feet, but rooms are light-filled and minimalist with white walls, crisp linens, wood floors, and open-plan bathrooms. Two larger penthouses net you a private terrace with an outdoor bathtub, so you can literally soak in sea and mountain views.
Regarding COVID-19 procedures, Hotel Brummell states on its website that it "works to ensure the highest safety standards and security measures throughout the hotel, guaranteeing a safe stay for guests."
Category: Boutique
Neighborhood: Eixample
Typical Starting/Peak Prices: $146/$215
Best for: Solo travelers, couples, small groups
On-site amenities: Wi-Fi, restaurant, bar, rooftop terrace with bar and pool, spa with indoor pool, gym
Pros: Beautifully designed indoor and outdoor common areas provide a variety of pleasant spaces to hang out.
Cons: The rooftop pool and surrounding deck can fill up quickly and there are a limited number of sun loungers.
This chic new-build hotel sits at the crossroads of Eixample and Grà cia, a trendy neighborhood teeming with bars, restaurants, and indie boutiques. From the moment you step inside, you're surrounded by the impressive design, with a double-height, open-plan lobby lounge lined with tall bookshelves and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bustling street life.
There are more cool spaces to hang out inside, from the buzzy ground-floor bar to the airy workspace area upstairs, and a TV room equipped with a giant screen and gas fireplace. Or head to the rooftop terrace with a pool and dining area on one side, and a sundeck with mountains views on the other. The shady courtyard patio with its groovy geometric-tiled floor, fountain, and olive trees, is one of my favorite secret spots for an early-evening cocktail and excellent, affordable tapas.
Minimalist rooms feature black-and-white decor with dark wood floors, wood shutters, leather-topped desks, and industrial-style lighting. Bright, entry-level House rooms have exterior views overlooking Calle Córsega and measure around 215 square feet and with a double bed making them a bit cozy for couples. Consider upgrading to a larger Patio room, which offers a King-sized bed and furnished balcony.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
5. Iberostar Selection Paseo de Gracia
Category: Business
Neighborhood: Plaça de Catalunya
Typical Starting/Peak Prices: $161/$243
Best for: Couples, business travelers
On-site amenities: Wi-Fi, rooftop bar, rooftop outdoor pool, gym, restaurant
Pros: Location-wise, Iberostar Selection Paseo de Gracia can't be beaten, and unlike most Barcelona hotel rooftop pools, this one is big enough to actually swim in.
Cons: Guests frequently complain about poor service at the rooftop Sky Bar, which is managed by an outside company.
Located in the literal heart of Barcelona, right on the bustling pedestrian square Plaça de Catalunya, this hotel is easily the best choice for first-time visitors. It's a short walk to all the city's major cultural sites, including the iconic La Rambla, La Boqueria market, and GaudÃ's fantastical Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, and around the corner is all the high-end shopping along Passeig de Grà cia.
The stately neoclassical building is effortlessly modern inside with miles of white marble accented by tall mirrors and shiny brass fittings. The look is more Miami than Barcelona, especially on the sprawling roof terrace with a buzzy cocktail bar and a pool that stretches the length of the building.
The spacious rooms are all-white affairs with light-wood built-ins and quirky reptile-themed murals above the beds. Entry-level Classic rooms look onto a muraled wall, so if you crave city views, plan to spend more.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
6. Hotel 1898
Category: Boutique
Neighborhood: El Raval/Las Ramblas
Typical Starting/Peak Prices: $165/$354
Best for: Couples, small families, business travelers
On-site amenities: Wi-Fi, restaurant, rooftop terrace with bar and pool, spa, sauna, gym, business center
Pros: This hotel has one of the most convenient locations to explore Barcelona's historic center, with Las Ramblas outside the door. Top-of-the-line Colonial Suites feature private swimming pools and sprawling terraces overlooking the famed pedestrian street.
Cons: Rooms feel a bit dated and the restaurant could use an overhaul in terms of decor.
Set in a handsome 1898 building that once served as a tobacco company headquarters, this hotel is exceedingly convenient for exploring the old city, with La Boqueria market and the medieval Gothic Quarter mere minutes away, and Barcelona's most famous pedestrian street, Las Ramblas, on the doorstep.
The grand lobby and adjacent library drip with rich historical details, including soaring marble columns, tall arches, and beautiful filigree ironwork on the doors.
Rooms are done up in a Colonial style with dark wood floors, wood accents, and walls painted in deep green or red hues; marble bathrooms are generously sized, and many come with separate tubs and showers. Entry-level Classic rooms measure a cozy 226 square feet and face the courtyard, so it's worth upgrading to a higher category; consider the Deluxe rooms, which feature lovely outdoor terraces with plenty of space to lounge and dine.
Best of all are the fifth-floor Colonial Suites, with a sleek black-and-white color scheme and a magnificent, multi-level patio with a large private swimming pool looking out over Las Ramblas.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Category: Boutique
Neighborhood: Eixample
Typical Starting/Peak Prices: $177/$299
Best for: Solo travelers, couples
On-site amenities: Wi-Fi, restaurant (reopening soon), bar, rooftop terrace and pool, spa, sauna, steam room, gym
Pros: Sir Victor Hotel offers fantastic amenities including a spa with an indoor pool and a light-filled, windowed workout space overlooking the bustling shopping street Passeig de Grà cia. Best is the seasonal rooftop bar for seriously impressive views.
Cons: If your room is on an upper floor, noise from the rooftop bar can filter down, as can cigarette smoke if your window is open. Also, be aware that the budget interior rooms don't have windows.
Set in the city's historic Eixample district, this slick boutique hotel features a striking, avant-garde facade that boldly stands out from its graceful 19th-century neighbors. Inside is similarly high design with a sprawling lobby and mezzanine-level library decked out with mod furnishings, contemporary Italian lighting, and cutting-edge artwork.
The glossy, ground-floor Mr. Porter steakhouse attracts a cosmopolitan local crowd who dine on Japanese Wagyu at large circular black-leather banquettes. But the real scene-stealer is the rooftop terrace with direct views of the swirling stone chimneys atop GaudÃ's La Pedrera. I often bring visitors here for drinks and surprisingly good ceviche — and those views never fail to wow.
In contrast to the common spaces, rooms at Sir Victor have a zen vibe with light-wood floors, neutral colors, and minimalist furnishings. I like that you don't have to splurge on a suite for outdoor space as several of the standard Sir Boutique rooms feature private balconies at no extra cost.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
8. Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection
Category: Luxury
Neighborhood: Eixample
Typical Starting/Peak Prices: $210/$300
Best for: Solo travelers, couples
On-site amenities: Wi-Fi, restaurant, bar, rooftop terrace and outdoor pool, gym
Pros: While most Barcelona restaurants close between lunch and dinner (which generally starts at 8:30 p.m.), the airy Batuar brasserie has non-stop service from 7 a.m. to midnight. The shady terrace is a great place to relax with a drink and tapas.
Cons: Regular rooms skew small; suites are large but pricey.
Set in a 19th-century neoclassical building that once served as the headquarters of the Cotton Textile Foundation, this boutique Eixample-area hotel — part of Marriott's Autograph Collection — oozes lovely historical details.
Intricate parquet floors and soaring coffered and frescoed ceilings from the 1880s are artfully integrated with modern leather furnishings, antiques, and contemporary artwork. The wood-paneled, book-lined library is particularly cozy, while the sprawling back terrace, shaded with palm trees, is great for summer cocktails. In a nod to its history, the space where shirt-makers once took measurements for cotton-guild members offers bespoke tailoring services by request.
The bright, all-white rooms are on the small side, especially entry-level Panama rooms, measuring under 250 square feet. Bathrooms are also a tight squeeze. For more space, consider trading up to the Cotton rooms, which also have balconies.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Category: Boutique
Neighborhood: Eixample
Typical Starting/Peak Prices: $211/$261
Best for: Solo travelers, couples, small families
On-site amenities: Wi-Fi, restaurant, bar, rooftop restaurant/bar, rooftop outdoor pool, gym, spa with heated indoor pool, sauna, and treatment rooms
Pros: If you want a quiet drink or casual meal with great city and Sagrada Familia views, the Mood Rooftop Bar is an ideal spot. And unlike many hotel rooftops that close seasonally, this one is open year-round.
Cons: The layout of the starter rooms, with entry through the bathroom, isn't to everyone's liking, and the "courtyard" rooms actually face the back of another building.
Part of the Spanish H10 Hotels collection and member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, The One Barcelona is a modern boutique hotel set among the 19th-century buildings of L'Eixample district. It has one of the city's best addresses and is mere steps from top sites like GaudÃ's Casa Milà but also near the bohemian charms of the Grà cia neighborhood.
Stylish, contemporary interiors extend from the spacious lobby lounge up to the generously sized rooms in soothing, neutral tones with pops of blue. All offer the same luxe amenities, but the sunny, city-view rooms are definitely worth the upgrade.
A lower-level spa is complimentary for guests and offers a dry sauna and small heated "experience" pool surrounded by black marble. Treatments, including massages and facials, are extra.
Top marks go to the snazzy rooftop terrace with a bar, sundeck, and plunge pool, where you can soak up fantastic views of the Sagrada Familia.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
10. W Barcelona
Category: Luxury
Neighborhood: Barceloneta
Typical Starting/Peak Prices: $226/$437
Best for: Couples, small groups
On-site amenities: Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants, 3 bars, 3 pools (two outdoor, one indoor), spa, gym, room service, business center
Pros: This self-contained urban retreat has everything, including multiple restaurants and bars, indoor and outdoor pools, and an enormous gym with windows overlooking the sea.
Cons: While the location might be an asset to some, it's far-flung on a spit of land at the tail end of the beach promenade. That means a long walk to the cultural attractions found in the city center.
Opened in 2009, this glassy, sail-shaped stunner has become one of the most iconic buildings within Barcelona's skyline. The city's only beachfront hotel, it takes full advantage of its location with fabulous views of the Mediterranean from just about every space.
Dine on one of the seaside restaurant terraces, relax with cocktails by the pool on the sprawling Wet Deck, or drink with your toes in the sand at the seasonal beach bar. Twenty-six floors up, the buzzy Eclipse bar offers unbeatable, near-panoramic views through enormous wraparound windows. Even the hotel gym looks out onto the sea.
The 473 spacious, modern rooms feature all-white walls, swirled blue carpeting, and signature W beds with quirky accent pillows. The decor takes a back seat to the views though as the sea, harbor, or city are all savored through floor-to-ceiling windows and just get better (and pricier) the higher up you go.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
11. The Wittmore
Category: Boutique
Neighborhood: Gothic Quarter
Typical Starting/Peak Prices: $245/$283
Best for: Solo travelers, couples
On-site amenities: Wi-Fi, restaurant, bar, courtyard patio, rooftop terrace, pool
Pros: The private club vibe and adults-only, no-phone policy make for a clandestine getaway.
Cons: Even for locals like me, the hotel is difficult to find. There's limited natural light in the rooms and the entry-level Tiny rooms are just that — tiny, measuring around 200 square feet.
Once you find this exclusive luxe hideaway tucked at the end of a short alley in the medieval Gothic Quarter, you'll be rewarded with a wonderfully warm, private club ambiance that feels more Britain than Barcelona.
Tartan-plaid walls and shelves of books line the hotel's cozy restaurant and lounge area, which sports a roaring fireplace in the colder months, and bow-tied bartenders shake up fancy cocktails at the marble-topped bar. It all opens onto a courtyard patio ideal for summer drinks, and the sunny rooftop terrace and pool boast panoramic city views. Everything about The Wittmore feels Instagrammable, but keep in mind the hotel enforces a strict no-photo policy.
Rooms are similar in style to the rest of the hotel with checked carpeting, dark blue or cream walls, elegant furnishings, and large wardrobes. Don't expect much light, however, as all rooms face the interior patio.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Category: Boutique
Neighborhood: Eixample
Typical Starting/Peak Prices: $275/$410
Best for: Solo travelers, couples, families
On-site amenities: Wi-Fi, restaurant, bar, rooftop terrace and pool, spa, gym
Pros: The rooftop bar, Azimuth, serves stellar cocktails and its terrace is open year-round, with heat lamps and cozy throws to ward off any chill as you soak up great views of Sagrada Familia.
Cons: In rooms on lower floors, guests complained that they could hear the Metro rumbling below. The spa and gym facilities are quite cramped for a five-star property.
This independent luxury boutique brand opened its first property in Barcelona in 2018, with a prime location on the avenue Gran Via, just a block from Passeig de Grà cia's excellent shopping and a 10-minute stroll to the famous Las Ramblas.
Barcelona-based designer Jaime Beriestain created the interiors, which are a smart blend of Art Deco and modern. Striped gold-and white-marble floors, shiny black columns, and mirrored ceilings feel glamorous but not overdone.
Rooms are outfitted in neutral tones of taupe and gray with warm wood furnishings and seriously comfy custom-made beds. Entry-level Gallery rooms are plenty spacious at 323 square feet, but it's worth trading up to a signature Almanac room for the windowed seating nook overlooking Gran Via.
The hotel's signature Virens restaurant is helmed by Michelin-starred chef Rodrigo de la Calle and features numerous vegetarian and vegan options. It's a welcome addition to Barcelona's meat-heavy dining scene.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Category: Luxury
Neighborhood: El Born
Typical Starting/Peak Prices: $320/$392
Best for: Solo travelers, couples, business travelers, Marriott loyalists
On-site amenities: Wi-Fi, restaurant, 2 bars, rooftop terrace, outdoor pool, gym, room service
Pros: The Barcelona EDITION has perhaps the best rooftop bar in the city. To one side, the city stretches all the way to the sea; the other offers spectacular sunsets over the mountains. Table and bar service are remarkably friendly and efficient.
Cons: Accommodations are all on the smaller side, with entry-level rooms measuring 258 square feet, and suites topping out at 500 square feet. If you're staying in a top-floor suite with a terrace, expect late-night noise from the rooftop bar.
Situated on the border of El Born and the Gothic Quarter, and surrounded by trendy restaurants and bars, this stylish hotel packs serious design punch. From the double-height lobby dotted with reproduction Dalà chairs to the speakeasy-style Punch Room, and the rooftop bar with panoramic city and sea views, every space seems created with Instagram in mind.
Rooms feature luxurious details such as herringbone parquet floors, walnut paneling, sliding wood doors, King-sized beds with custom leather headboards, and built-in window seats. Rates are on the higher end, but Marriott Bonvoy members can use and earn points for stays.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Category: Luxury
Neighborhood: Eixample
Typical Starting/Peak Prices: $324/$679
Best for: Couples, business travelers, families
On-site amenities: Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants, 2 bars, rooftop terrace with outdoor pool, spa with hammam, gym
Pros: When it comes to classic luxury, this grand dame sets the standard with elegant decor, outstanding service, top-notch amenities, and fancy frills like a cigar room and afternoon tea in the historic main hall.
Cons: You'll pay a hefty price for all this opulence.
As befitting its name, El Palace Barcelona occupies a palatial century-old building — the former Ritz hotel — with a privileged corner location on the Gran Via. Everything about the iconic property exudes luxury, from the top-hatted doormen to the beautifully restored historic public spaces with ornate chandeliers, handmade carpets, and a mix of sumptuous antiques and period furnishings.
Rooms are similarly elegant and range from the spacious entry-level Classic category with city views and fireplaces in some rooms to magnificent themed suites, which pay homage to notable locals such as Salvador Dali and Joan Miro.
The hotel's crowning glory is its rooftop terrace, which is a sprawling, garden-like oasis of fragrant plants and shady pergolas. An open-air restaurant offers upscale, seasonal fare, or come for an early-evening cocktail and fantastic sunset views over the mountains.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
FAQ: Barcelona Hotels
What is the best time to visit Barcelona?Summer is Barcelona's busiest season for tourists and also when the temperatures are at their highest, regularly soaring into the 90s. And because of the city's proximity to the Mediterranean, the humidity can make it feel even hotter. Also keep in mind that in August, most Catalans take their holidays, and many smaller shops, restaurants, and non-tourist businesses may be closed.
Spring and late fall are far more pleasant, with temps hovering in the mid-70s and fewer crowds at popular sites. Winter is generally mild — averaging near 60 — though again, that humidity can make it feel colder. Many non-tourist businesses are closed during the holidays, from Christmas Eve through January 6 (King's Day), so be sure to plan ahead.
One thing you don't need to worry about is rain. Barcelona averages just 55 days of precipitation a year, most of it in autumn, so leave the umbrella at home.
Which is the best area to stay in Barcelona?The oldest part of Barcelona — Ciutat Vella — includes El Born and the Gothic Quarter, as well as the famous pedestrian thoroughfare, Las Ramblas. These medieval districts are the most atmospheric, but also some of the rowdiest, packed with bars and boozy young tourists who keep the party going all night long. Seaside Barceloneta also attracts youthful crowds, especially during the day.
Most hotels are located in the quieter Eixample district, filled with graceful 19th- and 20th-century architecture, with luxury hotels concentrated along the upscale shopping street Passeig de Gracia.
Avoid booking a hotel in the Raval district, a gritty area in the old city that is notorious for petty crime, especially pickpocketing.
What is the cost of a hotel room in Barcelona?Hotel prices in Barcelona vary greatly depending on the season. In the low winter season (excluding holidays), even the top luxury hotels have rooms starting at around $200 per night.
Come spring, and especially in summer, rates surge. So if you're looking for a bargain, consider a hotel in a less touristy area of the city.
Is it safe to stay in hotels?Hotels are implementing new cleaning policies to help guests rest easier. We've linked to the most up-to-date policies or provided COVID policy descriptions for each of the hotels so you can assess your risk level.
However, because the pandemic situation continues to evolve, it's wise to read up on hotel cancellation policies and consider purchasing trip insurance to safeguard your travel investments, especially for overseas travels.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and their ability to change, it is best to check ahead of time before booking if a hotel's particular amenity, such as a spa, restaurant, or fitness center, will be open during your visit or require advance reservations.
What are the current COVID restrictions for visiting Spain from the US?There is currently no requirement to bring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test if you are traveling from the United States to Spain, and visitors are not currently subject to any quarantine requirements. However, keep in mind that this may change with short notice. Visit the U.S. Embassy in Spain's website or Spain's Official Tourism Travel Safe Website for updated travel information.
However, travelers must present upon arrival in Spain a QR code generated through the Spain Travel Health portal, obtained through the website or by downloading the "SpTH app" in Google Play Store or iTunes App Store for each traveler, regardless of their age.
Also visit the regional governments' websites for the most updated information (available in English) on COVID requirements, policies, and restrictions, which vary among different regions. Barcelona is in the region of Catalunya (also spelled Cataluña or Catalonia). Fines can be given for failure to adhere to local policies.
Travelers must present a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of your flight back to the U.S., regardless of vaccination status. Only a negative antigen test is required (not a PCR test) and tests average around 50 euro. Google "antigen test Barcelona" to find a testing location in the city.
No comments:
Post a Comment