The Artiest Hotels in Barcelona, Spain

Situated in the historically rich area of Eixample, Room Mate Carla is as conveniently placed as it is creatively designed. Within walking distance of La Sagrada Familia, Plaza Catalunya and La Rambla, you’ve got the main attractions of the city on your doorstep. Decorated by interior designer Tomás Alía, there’s the minimalist aesthetic of the Mediterranean with pops of colour – aka, vivid room murals that match the adjacent rug, futuristic furnishings that contrast with the heritage features of the building, and communal spaces filled with monochromatic fluorescents.

Contradictory to its name, The5Rooms has 12 suites, all of which overlook an internal courtyard that’s typical of the Eixample neighbourhood in which it sits. With the charm of a B&B – think freshly placed flowers, coffee table tomes and art carefully chosen for each room – and the luxury furnishings of a design-orientated hotel, this establishment is an ideal choice for a city-break getaway.

Not often can you say you’ve slept in a palace, especially one in the heart of a metropolitan city. Hotel Neri is situated in the old Jewish Quarter, and consists of two historical and aristocratic houses, one of them being a 12th-century medieval palace. Wooden floors and natural stonework that reflect the age of the property are proudly left on display, but with furniture from Corada Figueras architecture studio, bathrooms finished in quartzite, and modern appliances such as Nespresso coffee machines and 43-inch LED flat-screen TVs filling the rooms, you’ll be guaranteed luxury in whichever suite you stay. This, as well as the secret jasmine-wrapped roof terrace that overlooks the Gothic Quarter, will make it hard to leave.

Located in the one-time headquarters of the Association of Cotton House Manufacturers, the Cotton House is positioned on the longest street in Catalonia, Gran Via. And the heritage of the 19th-century building is felt instantly upon entering. After passing through a mirrored vestibule, you have a choice of two stairways up to the 83 rooms: one an imposing marble staircase, and the other a spiral that received critical acclaim when it was built in the ’50s. Industrial lighting, antique line drawings and leather upholstered armchairs continue the grandeur within the rooms. And with an outdoor pool, fitness centre, library and solarium, plus tapas restaurant Batuar with an outdoor terrace, the Cotton House proves period properties have luxurious appeal.

Just a few steps from La Rambla, the Passeig de Gràcia and Plaça de Catalunya, Hotel Pulitzer is as lively within as the streets that surround it. It’s also just as popular with locals as it is with tourists, as their roof terrace-garden often hosts live concerts and DJ sets. But, the bustle of the hotel is quickly forgotten upon stepping into the rooms; the modest monochromatic bedrooms with fresh flowers and sweets on arrival complement the electric blue tiles within the en-suites, making it a calm and serene nest after a night on the town.

Where better to connect with the creativity of Barcelona than in Pablo Picasso’s first studio? Positioned in the Gothic Quarter, the Serras boutique hotel has artistic heritage that can’t be matched. The monochrome theme has accents of colour throughout the guest rooms, a gentle nod to the artist’s painting style, as well as art books and magazines to ignite your creativity. With views over the Mediterranean Sea or Merce Street from standalone baths or a private balcony, you can understand why the painter found so much inspiration in this space.

With a terrace labelled a “tranquil oasis”, you may forget you’re nestled between Plaça d’Espanya and Plaça de Catalunya, the epicentre of the Spanish metropolis. Soundproof, pet-friendly rooms are filled with tropical murals, wooden slacked walls and a charming mix of chaise longue furniture and modern lighting fixtures. Head to the terrace, La Terrassa, to escape the busyness of the city below, and undertake a deep-rooted Barcelonian tradition: a glass of vermouth between noon and 2pm.

Perfecting the balance of modernising a period property without stripping it of charm is El Palauet: the luxury suites housed in the former Casa Bonaventura Ferrer. The iconic modernist building found on Passeig de Gràcia was designed by architect Pere Falqués i Urpí in 1906, and renovated in 2010 to become the opulent establishment it is today. Classic and elegant, all of the suites have a white colour palette and state-of-the-art decor. A gift upon arrival, a private chef and a personal shopper are just a few of the treats you’ll find when checking in.

With a selection of suites on the Passeig de Gràcia, Apartments Sixtyfour caters to all. The high-ceiling rooms filled with art and one-of-a-kind ceramics set the scene for romantic getaways, while kids can be entertained by the flat-screen TV as parents relax on the balcony. Whether you’re cooking in the modern kitchen or unwinding with a book in the mock library, a calm temperament is easily obtained at Sixtyfour.