Hotel El Palace Barcelona
With incredible architecture and art, high-end shopping, award-winning dining and a dazzling coast, it’s no surprise Barcelona is Spain’s most visited destination. In fact, some 32 million people visit Barcelona every year, according to a report from the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which also means there are plenty of choices for accommodation if you book in advance. The best hotels in Barcelona can make you feel at home in the city, provide a retreat from the bustling crowds and offer plenty of ways to relax.
Whether you want to stay right in the heart of the city, around Eixample, or near the ports with views over the ocean, here we have curated a list of the best hotels in Barcelona for whatever luxuries take your fancy – including some that are right by Gaudi’s mesmerising Casa Batlló, some around the historic and trendy Gothic Quarter and even one on San Sebastian Beach.
And something all of these hotels have in common is that they all highlight one of the best things about Barcelona: there is so much to explore and experience in the capital of Catalonia. And a luxe hotel room is the cherry on top.
01
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Located on one of Barcelona’s most prestigious boulevards, Passeig de Gràcia, less than a block from Gaudi’s Casa Batlló, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel has a five-star location to match its amenities. Here, you can soak up the city sights from a rooftop pool, dine at one of the six world-class restaurants or relax with onsite spa treatments and a sauna. And what better way to end a day of sight-seeing or boutique shopping?
Reasons to stay:
- Six restaurants and bars
- Rooftop pool and lap pool
- Gym and sauna
- Onsite spa
02
Serras Hotel Barcelona
Standing between the Gothic Quarter and Port Vell Marina, Serras Hotel has stunning views of the harbour and Barcelona’s cityscape. It was also once home to Pablo Picasso’s first studio and is the ideal spot for culinary indulgence, with Michelin-starred chef Marc Gascons at the hotel’s Informal Restaurant.
Reasons to stay:
- Luxury, boutique hotel with 28 rooms and suites
- Rooftop bar, terrace and pool
- Informal Restaurant led by Michelin-starred chef Marc Gascons
- Fitness centre
03
The Barcelona EDITION
Surrounded by museums and iconic sights like the 19th century Arc de Triomf and 13th century Barcelona Cathedral, The Barcelona EDITION is one of the best hotels in the city for soaking up Catalan culture across the ages. Hire a bicycle to get around the city during the day, then relax with a drink at the rooftop bar, take a dip in the pool or stay in with room service.
Reasons to stay:
- 100 individually decorated guestrooms, with minibars and espresso makers
- Rooftop bar and pool
- Two onsite restaurants
- Fitness centre
04
Hotel El Palace
As the name suggests, Hotel El Palace is fit for royalty, with a history dating back to 1919 when it opened as the Ritz. Its Baroque style is complemented by opulent updates to styling, with six Art Suites inspired by previous guests including renowned artists Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró, author Carlos Ruiz Zafón, French performer Josephine Baker and The Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie Wood. With an onsite spa, sauna, outdoor pool, two restaurants and central location, it’s no wonder this hotel is among the best and most famous in Barcelona.
Reasons to stay:
- Historic, luxury hotel with 120 guestrooms and suites
- Two restaurants
- Outdoor pool and bar
- Fitness centre, spa and sauna
05
Hotel Arts Barcelona
Known as one of the tallest buildings in Spain, this luxury hotel has some of the best views of Barcelona’s marina, beaches and the city. It’s also got just about everything you could ever want, with two outdoor swimming pools, six restaurants, a sauna, fitness centre and spa that offers massages, body treatments and facials.
Reasons to stay:
- 483 individually decorated guestrooms with minibars and LCD TVs
- Two outdoor pools and a poolside bar
- Six restaurants, as well as room service
- Rooftop garden, spa and fitness centre with onsite classes
06
Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection
In the heart of Barcelona, just 600 metres from Plaza Catalunya, stands the impressive 19th century building that houses the Cotton House Hotel. Part of the Marriott Hotel group’s premium Autograph Collection, this luxury hotel has 83 guestrooms with minibars, flat-screen televisions, designer toiletries and 24-hour room service. Venture beyond your room and you’ll also find an outdoor swimming pool, elegant library and lounge areas, as well as iconic features such as the suspended staircase (with an elevator nearby, too). All of this, just a stone’s throw from some of the most popular places in Barcelona.
Reasons to stay:
- Five-star hotel with 83 guestrooms
- Historic 19th century building with updated styling by acclaimed interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán
- Onsite restaurant and bar
- Fitness centre, terrace and gardens
07
Wittmore Hotel Barcelona
With just 22 rooms and an ideal location in the Gothic Quarter, this boutique hotel is full of charm, romance and impressive views – both from the rooms and rooftop. As well as an outdoor pool where you can take in the Barcelona skyline, it has a poolside bar and alfresco dining at the onsite Mediterranean restaurant Sobreático by Contraban.
Reasons to stay:
- Boutique, adults-only hotel with 22 luxury rooms
- Pool, restaurant and bar
- Rooftop terrace and gardens
- Onsite bicycle rentals
08
Monument Hotel Barcelona
The Monument Hotel in Barcelona is a great example of the city’s architectural history. This five-star hotel was once a pre-modernist mansion and stands in the centre of the city, just 200 metres from Gaudi’s Casa Milà. Inside, you can luxuriate with a spa treatment, have a bite to eat at one of the four restaurants or enjoy some downtime at the outdoor pool, sauna and 24-hour fitness centre. And if you’re travelling with young ones, it even offers babysitting for a surcharge.
Reasons to stay:
- 84 guestrooms featuring minibars and 42-inch smart televisions
- Four restaurants
- Outdoor pool, bar and terrace
- Fitness centre, spa and sauna
09
W Barcelona
When it comes to waterfront views in the Catalan capital, it doesn’t get much better than W Barcelona. This hotel was designed by by world-renowned architect Ricardo Bofil and has a stunning seasonal outdoor pool and bar, indoor pool, onsite spa, four restaurants – and even a nightclub.
Reasons to stay:
- Five-star hotel with 473 guestrooms
- Four restaurants, and 24-hour room service
- Gym, indoor and outdoor pools, onsite spa and sauna
- Nightclub and onsite shopping
09
Hotel Alma Barcelona
From the impressive, early 20th century exterior and central location just around the corner from Passeig de Gràcia, to the 72 thoughtfully-designed guestrooms and suites inside, Alma is a hotel that can really make you feel at home in Barcelona. Take in views from your room or the rooftop terrace, unwind in the impressive garden and enjoy your own space with 24-hour room service at your fingertips, all from the centre of the city.
Reasons to stay:
- Luxury five-star hotel in central Barcelona
- Rooftop terrace
- Indoor pool, spa and fitness centre
- Bar and breakfast/brunch options, including stylish takeaway boxes
11
Soho Hotel Barcelona
The Soho Hotel is right on Grand Via, just one kilometre from the Plaza Catalunya. This makes it a great choice if you want a central location that’s not quite in the heart of all the tourist activity you’re likely to find at hotels around La Rambla, Passeig de Gràcia or the Gothic Quarter. Its rooftop terrace and seasonal outdoor pool are also ideal for viewing the city from up high.
Reasons to stay:
- Luxury, boutique hotel with 51 guestrooms
- Rooftop pool and terrace
- Central location that’s LGBTIQ+ friendly
- Breakfast and room service available
What’s the best part of Barcelona to stay in?
Eixample and the Gothic Quarter are two of the most popular areas to stay in central Barcelona, with Eixample covering some of Gaudi’s most iconic architecture, alongside stylish boutiques, restaurants and bars, while the Gothic Quarter is full of Catalan history and architecture. You’ll find some of the best hotels in Barcelona within these areas, as well as Ciutat Vella (which includes the Gothic Quarter and waterfront) and Sant Martí, which is to the east and south of Eixample and Ciutat Vella.
But some of the most popular places to visit are further away, such as Park Güell and the 17th century Montjuïc Castle. So depending on why you’re visiting Barcelona, the best place to stay could be more or less central.
3 tips to help you book the best hotel for your stay in Barcelona
- Book in advance: If you want to stay in a boutique hotel with limited rooms and/or if you’re travelling during the peak season (July-August), booking around 90 days in advance will give you more options.
- Check for inclusions and offers: When you’re booking, a bonus inclusion such as drinks on arrival or breakfast can make it easier to relax and enjoy your experience in the city.
- Use a map: While many of the best hotels in Barcelona are in central locations, each has slightly different offerings nearby. So if there’s a particular place you want to be walking distance from – such as the Sagrada Familia, the fine dining and boutiques on Passeig de Gràcia or maybe a train station for day trips – a map will help you choose a hotel in the best location for your plans.
