Top Ten Luxury Hotels in Barcelona

Today (April 27, 2020): Top ten luxury hotels in Barcelona

Barcelona has long been one of my favorite cities in the world. I first fell in love with it in August 2004, during my post-law school graduation trip. It was a different Barcelona then – Parc Guell was free, only two Gaudi buildings were open for visits and Sagrada Familia did not have a roof. I remember dancing salsa on Montjuic, drinking Cava with the locals in Barceloneta and shopping at (new to me) Adolfo Dominguez store. Now, Barcelona is one of the top destinations in the world with millions of visitors each year. It is rich in culture, architecture and has some of the most delicious food in the world as well as lively nightlife. It has also significantly stepped up its luxury hotel game in the last few years. To help you navigate the many choices, I have compiled a list with my ten favorite luxury hotels in Barcelona.

Think I missed one? Share your favorite Barcelona hotel in the comments section below.

10. Hotel Arts Barcelona

If you are looking for stunning sea views and easy beach access, Hotel Arts is the way to go. Located in a towering, industrial-looking building in Barcelona’s Port Olimpic, next to the Frank Gehry designed huge golden fish sculpture, the hotel is steps away from Barceloneta beach and the many fantastic paella restaurants. It is, however, a long-ish walk to most attractions and, with limited public transport options, you will end up taking a lot of cabs. The hotel offers numerous dining outlets including Enoteca, a two Michelin Starred restaurant, as well as two sun-drenched swimming pools perfect for relaxing on a hot day. Rooms are spacious but in need of a bit of a refresh.

Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking with Polished Traveler (e.g.room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, seasonal welcome amenity, and $100 food & beverage credit).

Hotel Arts is part of Virtuoso and Marriott International STARS program.

9. The One Barcelona by H10 Hotels

The One brand is a luxury offshoot of the Spanish H10 hotel brand. They currently have hotels in Barcelona and Lisbon, and both are fantastic choices in their respective cities. The One Barcelona is my go-to hotel for those looking for central location but without the budget for some of the higher priced hotels listed below. It is also a great choice for those looking to splurge for a higher-end room – the Terrace Sagrada Família Suite has its own private terrace, complete with a Jacuzzi, chaises lounges, outdoor shower, and spectacular views of Gaudí’s masterpiece, the Sagrada Família. The hotel has a prime location close to Passeig de Gràcia, an upscale shopping mecca, two of the Gaudi masterpieces, and the bohemian Gracia neighborhood. The design, devised by Barcelona-based designer Jaime Beriestain, is an exercise in understated glamour with plenty of dramatic, colorful artwork on the walls, but the best visuals are easily the nearly floor-to-ceiling picture windows that let guests fully take in the neighborhood and from the fabulous rooftop with unobstructed views of the Barcelona skyline

8. El Palace Hotel Barcelona

Located just off the famous Passeig de Gràcia, El Palace Hotel is close enough to the action of the city’s busiest shopping street, but away from the crowds to allow some respite. The hotel used to be the Ritz, which shows everywhere – from the fancy doorman in top hats, old-school room keys to the baroque decor. El Palace has the feeling of a lavish Versailles set right in the heart of Barcelona. While the public spaces are opulent, the rooms are more restrained, with a subtly neo-classical feel. Bathrooms are enormous and feature L’Occitane products. My favorite aspect of the hotel, however, is the expansive and beautifully designed roof terrace, one of the best in Barcelona, as well as the Bluesman bar, a favorite of many locals.

El Palace Hotel is part of the Virtuoso Network.

7. Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona GL

This grande dame hotel may have turned 100 in 2019, but it is still a fabulous options and considered one of the most luxurious hotels in Barcelona. The location on the ritzy Passeig de Gràcia shopping boulevard is unbeatable – surrounded by glamorous stores and steps away from Gaudi as well as Barrio Gothic. And while the public spaces have a more classic look, the refurbished rooms are stylish and modern with white marble bathrooms. What we love most about the Majestic is that it offers apartments with full kitchens, making it a top choice for long terms stays and families. The hotel also offers before-hours visits to Fundació Joan Miró along with access to a private gallery within the museum that is otherwise closed to the public as well as guided day trips to the artist’s childhood home in Montroig del Camp.

Majestic Hotel & Spa is part of the Virtuoso Network.

6. Almanac Hotel Barcelona

The Almanac Hotel opened with much hype in the Winter 2019 as the first luxury addition to the Barcelona hotel scene in many years. It offers excellent location – just off the swanky shopping Passeig de Gràcia boulevard, steps away from two famous Gaudi buildings (La Pedrera and Casa Batlló), walking distance from Sagrada Familia, and the gothic district making it perfect for any visitor to Barcelona. The building is modern with floor to ceiling windows and the interior design harks back to the opulence of 1920’s Art Deco era. It all feels very sleek and refined but the ambiance is warm and welcoming despite that. Almanac is designed with techies in mind – the lighting is adjusted using an in-room one-touch panel, and every room comes with its own free-to-use smartphone, providing unlimited international calls both on and off property. The hotel also has a fabulous rooftop deck with a small pool and a rooftop bar with breathtaking views of Barcelona.

Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking with Polished Traveler (e.g.room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, and seasonal welcome amenity)

Almanac Hotel is part of Classic Travel Preferred Hotels Program.

5. NOBU Barcelona

Opened in Fall 2019, Nobu Barcelona is the newest shiniest luxury hotel in Barcelona. Part of the NOBU hotel and restaurant empire, the Nobu Barcelona, has already become the place to go for locals to celebrate a special occasion and be seen. The location is a bit different from the rest of the hotels on the list – it is located in the, still undiscovered by tourists, Sants neighborhood full of lively local bars and restaurants. Nobu Barcelona is within walking distance to the Camp Nou stadium, swanky Eixample district, and foodie district of Sant Antoni, making it the perfect hotel for those attending the FC Barcelona matches or those wanting to get away from the crowds of tourist. The pièce de résistance of the hotel are the views. It offers 360-degree views of the city from its renowned Nobu restaurant on the top floor, including incredible views of the Sagrada Familia.

Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking with Polished Traveler (e.g.room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, and seasonal welcome amenity)

Premier Room

4. The Barcelona EDITION

Soon after opening in mid-2018, the Barcelona EDITION became THE place to go and be seen and the trendiest hotel in Barcelona. The hotel’s location is pure perfection – next to the 10,000-stall Santa Caterina Market, which locals prefer to the heavily trafficked Boqueria, and within walking distance to many of Barcelona landmarks, Eixample shopping district, and the beach. The rooms at the Barcelona Edition are very nordic – refined-yet-understated, with elegant walnut paneling, minimalist marble bathrooms, and fabulous views. The Edition’s dining scene is what distinguishes it from other Barcelona hotels. In addition to the Bar Veraz in the lobby, the hotel offers a dreamy rooftop serving delicious Latin-Asian light bites, a sexy Cabaret experience serving a multi-course dinner during the show, and the Punch Room, a speakeasy bar hiding behind a hidden sliding door. It is genuinely universe unto itself with a dynamic social scene where guests rub shoulders with locals.

The Barcelona EDITION is part of the Marriott International STARS program.

3. Monument Hotel

Many hotels would be ecstatic to offer a Michelin starred dining as part of its amenities. Not only does the Monument Hotel has one of only two 3-Michelin starred restaurants in Barcelona, it also has another Michelin starred restaurant for a combined impressive total of 4 Michelin stars. The hotel itself is just as luxurious as the cuisine it offers. It is housed in a 19th-century mansion on the Passeig de Gràcia in the glamorous Eixample district and calls Gaudi’s La Pedrera as one of its neighbors. In fact you can see the alien-like La Pedrera roof sculptures from the hotels’ fabulous rooftop. The rooms are spacious, beautifully designed and almost all offer an outdoor space, a unique feature among luxury hotels in Barcelona.

Monument Hotel is part of the Preferred Hotels Platinum Partner Program.

2. The Serras Hotel

The Serras Hotel is my favorite hotel in Barcelona. I love the insanely comfortable beds, the modern design of the sun-filled rooms that feature checkered headboards (a tribute to famous Barcelona tiles), and its decked rooftop bar and pool area, with views across Port Vell. The location is unbeatable at the edge of the famous Gothic Quarter but away from the crowds and overlooking the marina. All of Barcelona’s major sites within walking distance. The Serras Hotel is an art lover’s paradise – the location of the hotel is where Picasso had his first studio at the age of fifteen. In addition, the exterior of the hotel was designed by Francesc Daniel Molina, who created the iconic Placa Reial. And the hotel’s main restaurant does not disappoint. It is a beautiful, light-filled, yet unpretentious space, led by Michel starred chef Marc Gascon, serving Catalan specialties like patatas bravas, calçots, and ham croquettes. Do not forget to head to the mezzanine bar Le Nine for a glass of Spanish Cava after your dinner.

The Serras Hotel is part of the Virtuoso Network.

1. Mandarin Oriental Barcelona

Mandarin Oriental Barcelona is arguably the best luxury hotel in Barcelona and possibly all of mainland Spain. Located on the coveted Passeig de Gràcia, it is surrounded by high-end stores, two of Antoni Gaudi’s masterpieces are just blocks away, and the Gothic Quarter, as well as La Sagrada Familia, are all within walking distance. At first look, the mid-19th century bank building may seem like a strange choice for a luxury hotel. The Mandarin Oriental and designer Patricia Urquiola managed to push the envelope and perfectly blend minimalism, modernism, and elegance, with an edgy and arty flavor creating the perfect luxury hotel. As befits the best hotel in Barcelona, the MO’s six dining options do not disappoint. Two Michelin-starred restaurant Moments is one of the hottest tables in town. My favorite dining outlet, however, is the BistrEau by Ángel León. With its hanging topiaries and spectacular lattice suspended from the ceiling, it is one of the most beautiful restaurants I have ever seen. The hotel is also extremely child friendly, and it offers plenty of inter-connecting rooms options as well as Family Suites. Your children will find little gifts in the rooms, children’s menus, and a new play zone at the Blanc restaurant.

Mandarin Oriental Barcelona is part of the Virtuoso Network.