Looking for luxury?
From the world-renowned Hotel Arts to the spankingly new ME Barcelona, these hotels score highly on facilities, fantastic views and fabulous features.
1. Hotel AB Skipper
Litoral 10 (Barceloneta), Tel. 93 221 6565, www.hotelabskipper.com. Per night: €182-385, double.
Located only 50 metres from the beach, spacious rooms with large, luxury-style bathrooms. Several restaurants and bars are located in the Skipper, with a special Sunday brunch available as well as a terrace-top pool and bar. Check the website for regularly updated package deals.
2. Hotel Arts
Marina 19-21 (Barceloneta), Tel. 93 221 1000, www.ritzcarlton.com. Per night: €390-813, double.
A spa on the 42nd floor, the beachfront pool, and multiple restaurants and bars are only the beginning on the Arts’ list of luxury amenities and services available at the 44-storey hotel, owned by Ritz-Carlton. Great for families in the summer season, when a children’s club hosts a lineup of games and activities.
3. Hotel Claris
Pau Claris 150 (Eixample), Tel. 93 487 6262, www.derbyhotels.com. Per night: €161-375, double.
Located in the uptown Eixample district. A terrace restaurant offers views of the city while East 47 serves traditional Catalan cuisine under the watchful eyes of Andy Warhol prints. Egyptian art abounds and dogs are also welcome.
4. Hotel Majestic
Passeig de Gracia 68 (Eixample), Tel. 93 488 1717, www.hotelmajestic.es. Per night: €470-740, double.
The name suits it. Located on the main street of the sophisticated Eixample district, Chanel and Louis Vitton stores are within view of the Majestic, which also houses The Drolma, one of the finest restaurants in Barcelona.
5. Hotel Rey Juan Carlos I
Av. Diagonal, 661-671 (Les Corts), Tel. 93 364 4040, www.hrjuancarlos.com. Per night: €160-240, double.
An oasis a bit outside the city centre where sprawling gardens flourish while dining options include an Asiatique menu and a Scottish themed bar among others. The hotel was inaugurated by the King and Queen of Spain a few days before the 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona.
6. Le Méridien Barcelona
La Rambla 111 (Centre), Tel. 93 318 6200, www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien. Per night: €265-435
In the thick of the action on La Rambla, recently renovated with a longstanding reputation. Double paned windows keep the volume of the renowned festivities on Las Ramblas out in the streets. Children under 12 stay free.
7. Grand Marina Hotel
Molle de Barcelona s/n (Port), Tel. 93 603 9000, www.grandmarinahotel.com. Per night: €150-200
Mediterranean fusion dishes at the Aire del Mar restaurant fit the atmosphere at the Grand Marina, where ‘Opera Saturdays’ mean ensemble Operissimo performs in Lobby Bar starting at 8pm.
8. Hilton Diagonal Mar
Passeig del Taulaut 262-264 (Poblenou), Tel. 93 507 0707, www1.Hilton.com. Per night: €215-350, queen
220 meters from the beach and fifteen minutes to Barcelona centre. Dining options include a Catalan restaurant, bar, and health club. Special amenities include babysitting service and 10 available meeting rooms.
9. Hotel Miramar
Plaza Carlos Ibanez 3 (Montjuïc), Tel. 93 281 1600, www.hotelmiramarbarcelona.es. Per night: €150-250, double
Built in the Twenties and recently restored in a contemporary style. Rooms with balconies offer views of the Meditteranean, and three dining options are available on site, including a restaurant with views of the Montjuïc gardens.
10. Hotel Murmuri
Rambla Catalunya 104 (Eixample), Tel. 93 550 0600, www.murmuri.com. Per night: €139-170, double
A boutique hotel located in the busy Barcelona centre, within walking distance of the shops on Passeig de Gràcia, Gaudí monuments, and La Rambla. Buffet breakfast is included for all bookings made on the website. Special prices available for bookings of three nights or longer.
11. Hotel Casa Fuster Gran Lujo
Passeig de Gracia 132 (Eixample), Tel. 93 255 3000, www.hotelcasafuster.com. Per night: €220-300 double
Right in the heart of Passeig de Gracia, a five star monument hotel. Mediterranean fusion restaurant as well as a café that houses live jazz on Thursday evenings. Appropriately, Gran Lujo means ‘Grand Luxury’.
12. ME Barcelona
Pere IV 272-286 (Poblenou), Tel. 93 367 2050, www.me-barcelona.com. Per night: €120-178, king/two twin
Stretching into the sky of the ever-developing Poblenou area of Barcelona, this Melia-run 'personality hotel' is clearly aimed at the young and the beautiful. Eat at the Sky Food Bar, pamper yourself at the YHI Spa or simply relax by the open-air sixth-floor pool.