It is easy to see why Barcelona is such a popular destination. The weather is lovely, it has an old world charm and lacks the pretense and rush of some of the larger European cities. The Catalan people are generally friendly and welcoming, even during the most hectic of tourist season.
A year-round destination… however mid-April to early-June is the best time of the year to visit.
The winters can be a bit chilly, and the summers hot and muggy. Swimming Season in the Mediterranean is from the end of June to early October. As with most of Europe, August is the busiest tourist season, either plan ahead or be prepared for sold out conditions at all quality lodgings.
Central Eixample
Size: 120 rooms and suites
Style: Contemporary / Zen
Year Opened: 2010
Designer/Architect:
Architects: Carlos Ferrater and Joan Trias de Bes
Interior: Patricia Urquiola
Reserve a suite, where your butler will look after your every need, and don’t miss the rooftop restaurant, with the best view of Barcelona.
Ideally located near all the city’s major attractions, Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona offers an atmospheric setting on Passeig de Gràcia. With contemporary interiors by designer Patricia Urquiola, the 120 rooms and suites (some with private terraces) are among the most luxurious in Barcelona. Carme Ruscalleda (one of the most awarded chefs in the world) is the leader of the two-Michelin-starred Moments Restaurant. Enjoy casual local treats at Blanc or Banker’s Bar. Terrat rooftop with 360 degree views of the Barcelona skyline. The spa is designed as a haven of serenity, making Mandarin Oriental the perfect base to explore the Catalan capital.
I AM A MANDARIN ORIENTAL PREFERRED PARTNER
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
• $100 USD F&B or Spa Credit
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
and more
Central Eixample
Size: 91 rooms and suites
Style: Contemporary / Sophisticated
Year Opened: 2018
Almanac Barcelona earns every ounce of its five-star status. Rooms and suites with high-tech amenities and marble-clad bathrooms. Healthy, plant-forward menus curated by Michelin-starred chef Rodrigo de la Calle. And indulgent spa treatments like the travel recovery massage and wine therapy ritual that make it easy to relax and recharge. Be sure to check out the impressive Azimuth rooftop bar too, serving up light bites, seasonal cocktails, and panoramic views of the city.
I AM A VIRTUOSO PREFERRED PARTNER
PART OF MY DOMINIQUE DEBAY PORTFOLIO
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
• $100usd (or more) F&B or Spa Credit
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
and more
next door to Santa Caterina Market
Size: 100 rooms and suites
Style: Cutting-Edge & Lively
Year Opened: 2018
One of my favorite locations for a hotel.
Barcelona has long been home to some of the world’s finest boutique hotels, and it was only a matter of time before Ian Schrager’s partnership with Marriott set up shop here. The Barcelona Edition imports the brand’s signature style, a sort of gilded minimalism, and it just so happens to suit the Catalan capital to a tee. So to do the hotel’s multifarious social spaces — there’s a rooftop terrace restaurant with views over the neighboring Old Town, there’s the vast double-height Bar Veraz, and there are two delightfully old-fashioned offerings, the speakeasy-inspired Punch Lounge and the red-velvet Cabaret.
PART OF MY MARRIOTT PARTNER PORTFOLIO
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
Gothic District / at the Waterfront
Size: 28 rooms and suites
Style: Contemporary / Sophisticated
Year Opened: 2015
The most breathtaking view in Barcelona is from this rooftop, which is open year-round and transforms throughout the day from a quiet poolside lounge to a chic cocktail bar.
Stories of Pablo Picasso swirl around the rooftop pool bar at Serras. The master’s former studio turned boutique stay – located in the historic city center, Barrio Gótico – is now a canvas of contemporary luxury, its ambience trendy yet unpretentious. The 28 rooms are comfortably chic, their natural color palette accented by bold geometric patterns with touches of wood and iron; balconies overlook the old city or yacht-filled Port Vell and the Mediterranean Sea. Look for Michelin-starred chef, Marc Gascons, behind the open kitchen at Informal restaurant, busily adding his own twist to seasonal Catalan favorites.
I AM A VIRTUOSO PREFERRED PARTNER
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
• $100usd (or more) F&B or Spa Credit
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
and more
L’Antiga Esquerra de l’Eixample
2024 #1
2023 #2
2022 #3
2020 #5
2018 #18
€€€€ · Creative
Set behind a façade that could be the front of any common or garden tapas joint in Barcelona lies one of the world’s most experiential restaurants. A skinny entranceway wheels directly past the kitchen to reveal the cavernous main restaurant space, where excited chatter and a vast array of crockery and table-side service instruments fill the room. Stepping into the dining room is the first indication that everything will not always be as it seems across the course of a four-hour meal at Disfrutar.
GO TO ► DISFRUTAR MICHELIN REVIEW
Sepúlveda 38, Barcelona
2024 #59
2023 #82
€€€€ · Creative
This unique, daring and unusual restaurant has raised its game once again with its focus on technical excellence and, above all, a desire to amaze its guests. Behind the discreet façade is an interior where fantasy reigns supreme, combining originality with a radical design that will definitely raise the eyebrows, including ceilings that appear to be suspended mid-air and give the impression of being in a futuristic freezer room! Chef Albert Adrià is at the helm in the kitchen, where he concentrates on a single 25-course tasting menu which changes every month. On it, he unveils his full culinary mastery – the finishing touches to many of his visually inspired dishes are added in front of guests to enable them to fully appreciate the innumerable (and often magical) techniques that he employs. He always works with the very best seasonal ingredients and organises the culinary experience around 4 different options: Tasting, 7 Wine Regions, Mature Wines, and 7 Million Bubbles. Make sure you book well ahead.
GO TO ► ENIGMA CONCEPT MICHELIN REVIEW
28 Best Things to Do in Barcelona
A to-do list as plentiful as the city’s sunny days
Gaudí in Barcelona: Our Guide
Here’s what to see, and, most importantly, how to hack your way in ahead of the crowds.
Barcelona Travel Guide
Top 10 best things to see & do in Barcelona
► My Virtuoso Barcelona Information Page
Here is a good place to start for some additional information on quality Hotels, Water Adventures and Activities.
► WIKIVOYAGE: Barcelona Page
A great resource for all the basic information you need for Barcelona.
Mallorca General Information Page
Spain General Information Page
or leave a comment below
page updated: July 2024
images courtesy: Wikimedia Commons, Barcelona Tourism Board
Please Note: All Hotel / Resort / Cruise / Services Amenities are subject to availability and may have changed since the date of this being published.
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