The Best Beach Hotels in Barcelona

Hotel Arts is one of the two tallest buildings in the city (the other being just across the road), its blue glass and steel structure towering over the marina and a pebble’s throw from Somorrostro Beach. You can expect the five-star treatment here, from a rooftop spa and two outdoor pools to Michelin-starred dining. And it goes without staying, spectacular views of the Mediterranean like nowhere else.

Unashamedly sleek and contemporary, what the Pullman Barcelona Skipper may lack in character it certainly makes up for in swanky features and sea views. It’s just the briefest of strolls to the beachfront promenade, lined with fancy beach clubs and eateries steps from the sand. If you prefer, you can admire the Mediterranean from the rooftop terrace, where you’ll also find one of two pools. Breakfast at the hotel is a treat, plus their restaurant serves top-notch tapas throughout the day.

Perched on the end of La Barceloneta pier, the W Hotel commands some of the best sea views you’ll find in any hotel in the city. Designed to give guests an impression of having set sail across the sea, the rooms offer undisturbed vistas of the Mediterranean stretching out in front. It’s nicknamed the Hotel Vela (Sail Hotel), owing to its modernist design. And not only is it on the edge of the water, it also has a private beach and outdoor pool area.

A stylish boutique hotel located just off the Marina Port Vell, The Serras offers slick, modern bedrooms with state-of-the-art soundproofing and lots of natural light – something of a rarity in the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter. The decor evokes the Mediterranean sea, with shades of blue, yellow and white, while the building was home to Pablo Picasso’s first studio in the city – pay homage to the master at the Picasso Museum, just a short walk away.

The Hotel Duquesa de Cardona, a romantic boutique located just opposite the Marina Port Vell, is housed within a beautifully preserved 16th-century building once home to a local aristocratic family. The rooms are cosy and decorated in hues of white and pastels, with plenty of soft furnishings and floral touches. The hotel is within walking distance of both the beach and the Gothic Quarter and near the shopping streets of Portal de l’Angèl and Passeig de Gràcia.

This five-star hotel is housed within a 1920s palace, beautifully preserved on the exterior and with a sophisticated, modern look inside. The Hotel Miramar – the name means sea view – is located on Montjuïc hill, overlooking the Mediterranean from a great height, and is surrounded by beautiful parks and gardens. You need to get transport to the centre of town and the beach, but the advantage of being outside the city centre is a feeling of peace, difficult to find in the busier districts.

An exclusive members club, but also a luxury boutique hotel, Soho House Barcelona is one of the coolest places to stay in the city. It overlooks the Marina Port Vell, Barcelona’s central harbour, and is just a short walk from both the Barceloneta neighbourhood and the Gothic Quarter. The rooms are decorated with an eclectic mix of vintage furniture and the latest gadgets, while the club house is a popular meeting point for movers and shakers.

This four-star hotel is located in the Fòrum neighbourhood, home to the large Diagonal Mar shopping mall and a number of conference centres and concert venues. It’s also just a 10-minute walk from Llevant beach, a much quieter stretch of sand than La Barceloneta and preferred by the locals for a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. The Princess Hotel is a large, modern building offering rooms overlooking either the sea or the city, and it has a rooftop pool with some impressive panoramic views.