VISITING

Hotel Gaudi

Nou de la Rambla 12, Tel. 93 317 9032, www.hotelgaudibarcelona.com, Raval. Double room per night: €107-€140.

Amenities include a small gym, restaurant and café. Several of the rooms offer balcony views of the Mediterranean Sea and Palau Güell, the uniquely Gaudí creation. Breakfast is included in the room rates.

Market Hotel

Passage Sant Antoni Abat 10, Tel. 93 325 1205, www.markethotel.com.es, Raval. Double room per night: €97-€140

Dark wood and graphic prints in black and red complete the contemporary theme of Market Hotel. Breakfast is included in the room rates. Chic restaurant offers Catalan cuisine and rice specialties.

Hotel SoHo

Gran Via 543-545, Tel. 93 552 9610, www.nnhotels.com, Centre. Double room per night: €112-€160

With a name like SoHo, one might expect cold and sleek New York styling. But this is arguably better than Manhattan with its plunge pool and cocktail bar on the hotel roof, in addition to a crystal-like lobby achieved with multiple glass sculptures.

B-Hotel

Gran Via 389-391, Tel. 93 552 9500, www.b-hotel.com, Centre. Double room per night: €81-€185

Accommodating location next to Plaça Espanya and Sants Estació, a metro and bus station that gives visitors access to the entire city. The minimalist design with a focus on earth tones has a calming effect while other facilities include a bar, wine cellar, terrace pool, and breakfast offerings like fresh pastries and fruit juices.

Hotel Jazz

Pelai 3, Tel. 93 552 9696, www.hoteljazz.com, Centre. Double per night: €91-€166

Tucked snugly between Passeig de Gràcia and Plaça Catalunya, the modern décor of the lobby and rooms is extended to the outdoor swimming pool and bar located on the roof. La Rambla is also only a brief walk away.

Hotel Balmes

Mallorca 216, Tel. 93 451 1914, www.derbyhotels.com, Eixample. Double per night: €80-€135

The special attraction in this modern hotel built in 1990 is the outdoor pool set amongst a landscaped garden to provide the feeling of an oasis in the middle of the city. A restaurant specialising in seasonal cuisine and a bar are also available. Centrally located with Passeig de Gràcia and La Sagrada Familia within easy walking distance.

Hotel Caledonian

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 574, Tel. 93 453 0200, www.hotel-caledonian.com, Centre. Double room per night: €85-€157

Near Plaça Catalunya, so the city’s theatres, shops, and museums are all close at hand. A breakfast buffet is available at a 50 percent discount for hotel guests. Standard rooms with generous marble bathrooms.