The Best Boutique Hotels in Ciutat Vella, Barcelona

This sumptuous boutique hotel, right in the centre of the city, captures that rare Barcelona air of high luxury mixed with pared-back elegance. Located in a beautiful building which housed a jewellery workshop for over a century, the indulgent rooms with chocolate tones are beautifully finished with all the trimmings, while the location places you in the heart of the action.

The elegant, luxurious monochrome rooms at the Hotel Pulitzer feature modern furnishings and open onto dazzling blue ceramic bathrooms the colour of the Mediterranean. The rooms each come with a minibar and subtle touches of modern technology to make your stay as comfortable as possible. This pet-friendly hotel also offers a complimentary nutritious breakfast, discounted access to the local fitness centre and even a personal trainer – which might be just what you need after all the tapas.

Housed in a building constructed in 1856 and fully refurbished in 2011, the boutique Hotel DO Placa Reial is located in the heart of Barcelona, on one of the most historic squares in the city, with a total of 18 luxury rooms, most of them overlooking the stunning Plaça Reial. This elegant, welcoming hotel has design and gastronomy at its heart, with three separate restaurant offerings taking full advantage of the mouth-watering local produce.

Gastronomy, hospitality, culture, history and tradition all combine to create this elegant and welcoming hotel, where every detail has been thought through. The gorgeous rooms are understated and elegant with just a touch of Barcelona rustic, and the food in the downstairs restaurant mirrors this – hearty and Catalonian, with an indulgent twist.

A hotel with a thousand eyes sounds like something out of a particularly creepy episode of Doctor Who, but this hotel, which has 1,000 ceramic eyes on its facade, created by artist Frederic Amat, fits perfectly into the arty aesthetic of the Gothic Quarter surrounding it. A gorgeous hotel filled with art, it is just five minutes from La Rambla. The beautiful designer rooms are enticing and beautifully finished, with every comfort you could think of, and some you haven’t.

It’s all in the design, the detail and the finishing – and Grand Hotel Central has all of these things well and truly covered. The art deco lobby gives way to modern, elegant accommodation; if you tire of your well-finished room, pop up to the roof, where an infinity pool looks out over the ancient city. With an excellent restaurant, spa, sauna and fitness centre, you may need reminding to explore the rest of the city.

In Barcelona, classical always rubs up against modern, usually with wonderful results. The Hotel Neri encapsulates this aesthetic, occupying two historic buildings, one of them a magnificent 12th-century palace. Choose between 22 beautiful rooms or six self-contained apartments. You can discover Barcelona in an intimate, sophisticated and relaxed way here, especially from the seclusion of the quiet roof terrace.

Exceptional location, exceptional views, exceptional accommodation… you won’t take exception to anything this Barcelona institution has to offer. The hotel lies in front of Port Vell and within walking distance of the main trends and attractions of the historic quarters, while inside you are surrounded with neoclassical indulgence with a twist of modernity. The understated but sumptuous rooms are well appointed, and on the weekends you’ll find quite the fiesta taking place on the beautiful roof garden overlooking the marina.

Nestled in an alleyway in the Gothic Quarter, the child-free Wittmore is a place worthy of a Carlos Ruiz Zafón novel. All the rooms, decorated in indulgent tones and luxurious colours, have a view of the exclusive interior patio and the vertical garden. In the restaurant, the Witty, creative cuisine meets high-quality ingredients, turning every mouthful into a beautiful combination of flavours.