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The Best Hotels in Barcelona, Spain, for Every Traveller

El Palace Barcelona
El Palace Barcelona

From Barceloneta Beach to Plaça de Catalunya, you’ll find upmarket five-star boutique hotels beside budget B&Bs and eco-conscious guesthouses in Spain’s Catalonian capital. Not sure where to start amid Barcelona’s overpopulated hotel scene? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

El Palace Barcelona

Luxury

2020-SDX-270-lifestyle-EL PALACE BY THE SEA (14)(1)
El Palace Barcelona opened its doors in 1919 as Barcelona’s first five-star hotel. Born the former Ritz of Barcelona. All 120 rooms and suites are designed in the hotel’s signature neoclassical-inspired style. Step into one of El Palace’s six signature Art Suites inspired by a former prominent guest artist and their artistic preference, you enter the worlds of Ronnie Wood, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, and Josephine Baker. From the Rooftop Garden & Terrace and Swimming Pool on the seventh floor, to Bluesman Cocktail Bar and Cigar Lounge, to the hotel’s newest award-winning restaurant, Amar Barcelona in partnership with El Bulli alum, Rafa Zafra, and indulgent treatments in Luxury Mayan Spa. El Palace Barcelona is proud to introduce its newest luxury experience, presenting guests with a new way to see and experience Barcelona and the surrounding area, on board the hotel’s new private speedboat, Sea Ray SDX 270. El Palace Barcelona is the perfect destination to soak up the culture and timeless majesty of Barcelona.

Hotel Alma Barcelona

Hotel, Boutique Hotel

Comfy chairs and cushions in a lush gravel garden with hanging lanterns and outdoor bar and Hotel Alma.
Courtesy of Alma Barcelona GL / Expedia
With interiors that could grace the cover of a design magazine, Alma Barcelona combines good looks with fine dining and hi-tech touches. Finger scanners replace keys to access the guest rooms – once inside you’ll find a blend of understated neo-classical and 21st-century elegance. Downstairs, guests have free access to a spa with a steam room and a pool long enough for laps. The main highlight for many, however, is a large leafy garden where you can breakfast under the dappled sunlight created by the vegetation.

The Serras

Boutique Hotel, Independent Hotel, Hotel

Large rooftop patio with small dipping pool, fireplace and lots of tables and chairs looking out over the city at The Serras Barcelona.
Courtesy of The Serras / Expedia
Set on the busy Passeig de Colom, The Serras overlooks the swish Port Vell marina, where sunlight glints off rows of leisure boats and luxury yachts. The equally upmarket hotel dates from the mid-19th century, and has the distinction of once housing Pablo Picasso’s first studio. Today, interiors meld a New York vibe with contemporary Catalan style, resulting in thoroughly urban chic. Head to the El Sueño rooftop terrace for a dip and to order drinks and tapas from the Sky Bar.

Room Mate Anna

Boutique Hotel

Small round wood-panelled dipping pool ringed by black and white striped lounging sofas on the rooftop at Room Mate Anna.
Courtesy of Room Mate Anna / Expedia

A wonderfully frilly neo-classical facade prepares visitors for the flamboyantly avant-guard decor within this characterful boutique hotel. Guest rooms come in one of three sumptuous schemes, with the red-and-white palette of the deluxe rooms particularly striking. On the roof is a circular pool and stripy daybeds where you can enjoy drinks from a cocktail bar. One of the main arteries of the city – the leafy Passeig de Gràcia – is just steps away, together with a slew of iconic modernist architecture.

Hotel Catalonia Passeig de Gràcia

Hotel, Budget Hotel, Boutique Hotel, Chain Hotel

Black sun loungers, wicker chairs and sofas with low white wooden tables on a rooftop surrounded by colourful buildings at Hotel Catalonia Passeig de Gracia.
Courtesy of Catalonia Passeig de Gràcia / Expedia

Housed in an ornate 1928 mansion, the upscale Hotel Catalonia Passeig de Gràcia is immaculately styled in a smartly conservative palette of taupes and greys. This buttoned-up luxury continues throughout most of the accommodation (save for the left-field junior suite, which has an immersive art experience that uses 4D technology to project moving images). There’s a sunny terrace with a plunge pool, low-profile seating and loungers. Don’t miss the daily cheese and wine tastings, which are free to all guests.

Grand Hotel Central

Hotel

Black sun loungers next to a small rectangular infinity pool on a wood panelled rooftop looking out over the city at Grand Hotel Central.
Courtesy of Grand Hotel Central / Expedia

Located on the busy thoroughfare that separates the Gothic and Born districts, this luxury-level boutique hotel feels in the buzzing centre of it all. A stately art deco stone facade displays the 1920s origins of the building, while inside is broodingly low-lit with dusky contemporary tones. Crowning the hotel is an open roof terrace where Barcelona presents itself in a broad panorama – and there’s a gorgeous infinity pool from which to appreciate it.

Hotel Bagues

Boutique Hotel, Independent Hotel

Blue velvet sofa in a lavish black and gold lounge with wallpapered ceiling and large windows at Hotel Bagues.
Courtesy of Hotel Bagues / Expedia

This 19th-century former jeweller’s premises and workshop is today a perfectly cut gem on La Rambla. A sumptuous combination of buttoned leather seating, exotic lighting and swathes of dark wood give the interiors a ritzy-yet-cosy vibe. Rooms mix top-quality finish with hi-tech appliances with Indian slate bathrooms and Bluetooth speakers – a fresh rose is also left for guests. On the rooftop, cool off in the plunge pool, before cocktails and tapas accompanied by a 360-degree view over the city.

Hotel Neri Relais & Chateaux‎

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

Colourful rugs in stone lounge area with low grey velvet sofa, rattan cupboard and free-standing plants and candles at Hotel Neri.
Courtesy of Hotel Neri Relais & Chateaux / Expedia
Tucked along a quiet, narrow lane but right in the historic heart of the city, Hotel Neri scores high for location – the city’s 13th-century cathedral is just steps away – and you can still find much of the medieval origins of the hotel building among the smart, contemporary interiors. Each of the 22 rooms differ, though all feature quartz-finished bathrooms, Nespresso machines and Molton Brown toiletries. Book a suite for a tall coffered ceiling and exclusive access to the rooftop pool.

Hotel Pulitzer

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

Blue wooden outdoor bar surrounded by lush plants at Hotel Pulitzer. Two cocktails sit on a low wooden table in front of a couple on a bench.
Courtesy of Hotel Pulitzer Barcelona / Expedia

From the street-front bar popular with locals to regular live music on the rooftop, the Hotel Pulitzer is rarely short of buzz. The central location next to the Plaça Catalunya also puts it close to many of the top sights and nightspots. Smart rooms are scattered with artwork and eco-friendly touches, while Egyptian-cotton sheets and duvets make for comfy slumber. Breakfast focuses on a healthy start, though not in a boring way, and the plant-filled Greenhouse Restaurant certainly lives up to its name.

Mercer Hotel Barcelona

Hotel

Large double bed with white sheets in airy, minimal room with sofa-chair, sleek wooden furniture and black and white art on the wall at Mercer Hotel Barcelona.
Courtesy of Mercer Hotel Barcelona / Expedia
For a glimpse into the past of Barcelona dating back over a millennia, book a stay at this sensitively modernised, artfully realised high-end hotel. As well as being set into part of the ancient Roman walls, the hotel has medieval arches and original 12th-century frescoes, which add to an ever-present sense of history. You’ll also find fine Mediterranean dining and a rooftop summer plunge pool – all set in the heart of the Gothic Quarter.

Seventy Barcelona

Hotel, Boutique Hotel

Stylish, arty lounge area with tall bookshelves, glass staircase and hexagonal table at Seventy Barcelona.
Courtesy of Seventy Barcelona / Expedia

With soaring colourful bookshelves and couches by the fireplace, the inviting lobby of the Seventy Barcelona contrasts starkly with its brooding, faceless facade. Smart, soundproofed guest rooms break up minimalist design with modern art, while high-end amenities include Bluetooth tech and coffee-pod machines. A serene spa is a 21st-century oasis with heated pool, sauna and vegan body treatments. A glass-sided, rooftop pool is long enough for laps, or you may prefer to just stretch out poolside and soak up the sun.

Violeta Boutique

Hotel

Low bed with white sheets in an airy, minimal room with fuschia pink chair, flowers and large French doors at Violeta Boutique.
Courtesy Violeta Boutique / Hotels.com

Violeta Boutique is the kind of small, personalised and fairly-priced hotel that you’ll want to return to again and again. The best rooms in this 19th-century building are large with high ceilings and plenty of natural light. Sightseers will be pleased to know the hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from Plaza Catalunya (the city’s main square) and full of staff who delight in sharing their knowledge of Barcelona. There are free muffins and tea available too.

Casa Gracia

Boutique Hotel, Budget Hotel, Hostel, Hotel

Leather bean bag, leather sofas and potted plants in the lobby of Casa Gracia Barcelona. Large floor to ceiling windows looking out at the city.
Courtesy of Casa Gracia Barcelona / Hotels.com

Casa Gracia is the hippest place to stay in Barcelona. Walk into a reception of plants, old ironwork from another era, modern chandeliers and a glass floor looking into a speakeasy lounge beneath your feet. Move past the art deco style bar and restaurant full of locals chatting softly in Spanish to a spacious common room with brick ceilings and a fireplace. Head upstairs via the antique-style elevator, past a library full of books and a wall of mirrors to the dining rooms, where you’ll find the communal tables. Continue out to a large terrace flooded with light, lounging areas, and a space for yoga. The rooms themselves are upstairs and some rooms come equipped with balconies overlooking the bustling Passeig de Gràcia.

Eco Boutique Hostal Grau

Eco Hotel, Hostel

Large double bed with white sheets, grey sofa-chair and rough wooden furniture in white, airy room at Eco Boutique Hostal Grau.
Courtesy of Eco Boutique Hostal Grau / Hotels.com

The eco-minded will be charmed by this green boutique hotel close to Barcelona’s Plaza Catalunya. From environmentally-friendly cleaning products to naturally sourced lavender soap and organic teas, Hostal Grau is dedicated to sustainability on every level. Meanwhile, the decor is homely and ping-pongs between boho-chic and minimalist. Walls are crisp white, the furniture is upcycled and they use crates for shelves.

Hotel Midmost

Hotel

Blue Chesterfield ottoman sofa and wicker stools in a stylish lobby area with art on the walls at Hotel Midmost.
Courtesy Hotel Midmost / Hotels.com

This classy, avant garde hotel is one of the best mid-range options for visitors to Barcelona. Navy, white and gold hues give this chic boutique a regal feel. And the rooftop pool area, though small, is fit for royalty with its stripy four-poster sunbeds. Meanwhile, well-priced standard rooms are cosy but perfectly efficient and come with blackout curtains, bathrooms so white they’ll make you squint and beds you’ll never want to leave. Not forgetting the staff here who are willing to go that extra mile to ensure you have a great stay in the city.

Retrome Urban Retreat

Boutique Hotel

Small double bed in 70s print room with desk, blue chair and French doors opening up onto a balcony at Retrome Urban Retreat.
Courtesy of Retrome Barcelona / Hotels.com

The centrally located Retrome Urban Retreat is your retro-home in Barcelona. It’s cheap and comes with 15 rooms curated in ’60s and ’70s-style – think groovy patterns, copper lamps and walnut cabinets. Staff are passionate about the city and happy to point you in the direction of the best bakeries, cafes and independent shops. Rooms come equipped with vintage trinkets, record players and coffee machines – some also come with private balconies.

Renaissance Barcelona Hotel

Boutique Hotel, Hotel, Luxury

Comfy sofas with colourful cushions on wood-panelled rooftop with a small dipping pool and waterfalls at Renaissance Barcelona Hotel.
Courtesy of Renaissance Barcelona Hotel / Expedia

Luxury meets tasteful design meets Barcelona at the Renaissance Hotel. Much of the artistic elements in the rooms and throughout the building were inspired by Barcelona’s beloved Antoni Gaudí and the modernism that’s so prominent in the city. That’s why you’ll see a lot of metal with rounded corners, and carpets with Gaudí designs on them. The hotel also strives to emulate nature with lots of Mediterranean blues and mountain golds – a reflection of the surrounding ocean and nearby Montjuïc. They also installed light dimmers to replicate the effect of sunrise and sunset. Such details were meant to tempt guests to “look and look again”. With expert ‘navigators’ (who are like specialised concierges) to give local tips of the city, a chic Rumbo bar and eatery on the main floor, the Goja rooftop with views from the Sagrada Familia to the hills and the ocean, and premium rooms and junior suites, a stay at the Renaissance leaves guests feeling like they’re well taken care of.

Room Mate Emma

Hotel

Large double bed with purple cushions in retro-style room with white furniture and large windows at Room Mate Emma.
Courtesy Room Mate Emma / Hotels.com

Room Mate Emma is part of a visionary boutique hotel group that has made a big splash in Barcelona. This hotel cleverly blends future and past. Some rooms have groovy ’60s and ’70s designs, while others have space-age graphics. Gaudí would’ve been impressed with this wacky hotel, which has a lobby like the inside of a spaceship, and brightly coloured abstract communal spaces. This is one for the forward thinkers (or guests not afraid of a hallucinogenic trip).

Yurbban Passage Hotel and Spa

Boutique Hotel

White sun loungers next to a small dipping pool on a paved rooftop overlooking the city at Yurbban Passage Hotel and Spa.
Courtesy of Yurbban Passage Hotel & Spa / Expedia

Set in a former textile factory, this hotel is ready-made for millennials. Communal spaces are industrial-looking and full of the type of cool, mismatched furniture that you expect to see in a posh co-working space. Rooms – although snug – come with pillow menus, yoga mats and biodegradable coat hangers. Bikes are free for guests to use, there’s a rooftop pool area, and the hotel offers a nightly social hour with complimentary wine for those looking to make friends. A shuffleboard table and photo booth in the lobby will keep you entertained.

H10 Metropolitan

Hotel

A rooftop pool, vertical garden and hovering fireplace on the black and white tiled rooftop at H10 Metropolitan.
Courtesy H10 Metropolitan / Hotels.com

It probably doesn’t sound like a major selling point, but the H10 Metropolitan’s swirly wooden headboards are up there with the best we’ve seen. But that’s not the only reason we’ve included this swish hotel at the top of La Rambla in our round-up. The sophisticated design hotel has an unusual style – there’s an antique bike, hovering fireplace and an outdoor vertical wall garden. But the biggest prize is the tranquil rooftop pool for when you’re done with sightseeing.

Cotton House

Hotel

Stylish lobby at Cotton House. Large wooden bookshelves, blue armchairs and large paintings on the walls.
Courtesy Cotton House Hotel / Hotels.com

The Cotton House Hotel has managed to retain some original features from when it was the headquarters of the Cotton Textile Foundation in the 19th century. It’s now a five-star unadulterated luxury hotel set in an elegant neoclassical building. The finishing touches here are what makes the hotel so special – from the chequered marble chessboard-like flooring, twirling optical-illusion-of-a-staircase and majestic ceilings that won’t fail to astound.

Hotel Brummell

Boutique Hotel

Stylish, sleek communal kitchen at Hotel Brummell. Large black dining table and French doors opening out on a patio.
Courtesy Hotel Brummell / Hotels.com
Are you the sort of person who likes staying in quiet neighbourhoods just outside of the city? Well, Hotel Brummell is right up your street. Located about 20 minutes’ walk from Barcelona’s best market (Mercado de la Boqueria) in the Poble Sec area, this boutique hotel takes pride in its “tropical modernist” design, which basically means industrial finishes and loads of plants. Most of the 20 rooms are smallish and have suave NY loft apartment/warehouse vibes. On the roof, there’s a plunge pool and views over the city and Montjuïc.

Hotel Barcelona 1882

Hotel

Dusky blue sofas opposite hexagonal marble flower pots in symmetrical lobby with dark wooden panelling at Hotel Barcelona 1882.
Courtesy Hotel Barcelona 1882 / Hotels.com

The hotel’s name is a tip of the hat to Gaudí, who started building Sagrada Familia in 1882. Gaudí is said to have been heavily inspired by nature and, so it seems, was the colour palette of this hotel – think earth tones and subtle greens and blues. The hotel’s terrace hosts free morning yoga on Wednesdays, as well as views over the designer’s towering Gothic cathedral just 400m (656ft) away.

Soho House Barcelona

Boutique Hotel

Double bed with double headboard in stylish vintage modern room with fish scale lamp, blue armchair and Marshall radio at Soho House Barcelona.
Courtesy Soho House

Every city has at least one hipster hotel, and Barcelona’s is Soho House. This private-member’s-club-come-hotel has 57 rooms and sits opposite Port Vell on the outskirts of the Gothic Quarter. It’s facilities-rich – there’s a 36-seater theatre, flash Cowshed spa, and year-round rooftop pool – and it’s close to the beach and La Rambla. The rooms and common areas have a twee British vibe going on and if it weren’t for the blue skies and Catalonia flags draped on the buildings nearby, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were staying at a moneyed British Lord’s house in the Cotswolds.

Mandarin Oriental

Hotel

Grey sun loungers next to a rectangular pool ringed by green bushes on the rooftop at Mandarin Oriental.
Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental / Expedia
Dame Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman are said to be fans of this world-famous luxury hotel chain – and we can see why. Everything at the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona on Passeig de Grácia seeps opulence, from its modern rooftop pool and rooms with Casa Batilló views (Gaudí’s wavy, coral-floor-like construction) to the hotel’s fancy restaurant looked after by a female chef with seven Michelin stars.

Mercer Hotel Barcelona

Hotel

Bright purple sofa and pink lattice chairs in a lounge area at Mercer Hotel Barcelona with restored Roman walls.
Courtesy Mercer Hotel / Hotels.com
The Mercer is a peaceful, luxurious boutique hotel in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. Signs of the neighbourhood’s ancient past can be seen throughout the hotel, which blends restored original Roman walls with contemporary fittings. The star of the show, however, is the hotel’s tree-speckled internal courtyard – arguably the best breakfast setting in the city. Should you wish to unwind, take a book to the hotel’s library or rooftop pool area.

The Wittmore

Hotel

Comfy armchairs in the dining area at The Wittmore. Large doors opening onto a patio and through to another dining area with floor to ceiling bookshelves.
Courtesy The Wittmore / Hotels/com
Hiding in plain sight in Barcelona’s ancient Gothic Quarter, lies the exclusive, adults-only The Wittmore hotel. Kitted out like a British country home with portraits of moustached men in kilts and plaid carpets, it’s the kind of place you want to be photographed in. Sadly, that’s not possible because picture-taking isn’t allowed but that just adds to the charm of this peaceful hotel that also has a private members’ club feel and sun terrace to match.

Almanac Barcelona

Boutique Hotel

Low sofa and armchairs in cream-toned suite room opening out onto a balcony with a white sun lounger at Almanac Barcelona.
Courtesy of Almanac Barcelona / Hotels.com

Like your hotels clad floor-to-ceiling with gadgets? Then the Almanac is for you. This smart boutique hotel hasn’t been around long but is already well-respected in Barcelona. Designer Jaime Beriestain (a big fish in these parts) has used a wealth of textures with gold hues and oak and walnut finishes to create a sense of James Bond sophistication this hotel. If that’s not enough to tempt you in, there’s also a shallow rooftop pool, a fine Mediterranean brasserie and yoga classes.

El Avenida Palace

Hotel, Luxury

Black armchairs in a lavish lounge area with black and marble walls, stone carved fireplace and hanging chandelier at El Avenida Palace.
Courtesy El Avenida Palace Hotel / Hotels.com

Ernest Hemmingway, Joan Míro and The Beatles all spent some time at El Avenida Palace – not at the same time, of course. And it’s unlikely that, other than a few interior touch-ups and the addition of a rooftop pool, much has changed since. The luxury hotel is draped in old-world Catalan charm and comes with likeable staff who remember your name, traditional Spanish rooms, and the best golden staircases you’ll ever see.

Hotel Arts Barcelona

Resort, Hotel

Large double bed with white sheets in a sleek king room at Hotel Arts Barcelona.
Courtesy of Hotel Arts Barcelona / Hotels.com
If ever there was a saying “never judge a hotel by its exterior” Hotel Arts Barcelona would be the justification as to why. The outer shell looks more corporate than arty, but the interiors are lovely. Imagine a sweet botanical aroma and kind staff who welcome you like family. The decor is unfussy, the restaurant has two Michelin stars, and it’s close enough to the beach that you could sling a cocktail garnish into the sea from the hotel’s pool area.

The Barcelona Edition

Boutique Hotel

Large double bed with crisp white sheets facing a flat screen TV in a beige-toned room that opens up onto a large patio balcony overlooking the city at The Barcelona EDITION.
Courtesy of The Barcelona EDITION / Hotels.com

If you’re looking for a high-end hotel in the artsy El Born neighbourhood, you can’t do much better than The Edition, Barcelona. Rooms here are fit for Hollywood stars, and come packed with gadgets, bespoke Gaudí-inspired furniture and mood lighting – making them hard to leave. The hotel is a Marriott/Ian Schrager (founder of famous NY nightclub Studio 54) collaboration, so it has been designed to entertain its punters. There’s also a Boardwalk Empire-style underground cabaret club, a London-esque speakeasy and a rooftop pool bar that hosts parties every week during summer.

Leon Beckenham contributed additional reporting to this article.

For more accommodation options, check out the best hotels in the Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, bookable with Culture Trip. If you’re looking for something a little more special, why go for a room at one of the most unique hotels in the city or (to ensure you can take a dip without wrestling for space on the beach) one of Barcelona’s best hotels with a swimming pool?

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