Barcelona has it all: culture, gastronomy, architecture and, of course, beaches. Boasting 4.5km of coastline, the golden sands fringing the city are ready to welcome you for hours of sunbathing and swimming. Alternatively, head into the centre to discover the beating heart of Catalan culture, where you’ll find Gaudí’s famed masterpiece, the Sagrada Família – set to be the world’s tallest church when it is finally completed in 2026, as well as La Rambla: one of Barcelona’s most famous streets featuring an array of shops and eateries. The Picasso Museum, La Boqueria Market and Casa Milà are all top tourist destinations too, with plenty of tapas, sangria and vistas to boot. So, with a jam-packed itinerary, you best find somewhere suitably decadent to rest your head. Here are the best luxury hotels in Barcelona.
Mandarin Oriental Barcelona, Gothic Quarter
Boasting contemporary interiors by revered designer Patricia Urquiola and a Michelin-starred restaurant, Mandarin Oriental Barcelona would be a splendid choice for any Spanish traveller. The five-star property is located in the city’s gothic quarter and is the perfect base to explore the sights, with even some of the rooms possessing views over one of Barcelona’s main shopping avenues, Passeig de Gràcia. And if it’s panoramic vistas that you’re after, we recommend a sunbathing session at the hotel’s rooftop terrace made all the better with a cocktail in hand.
Housed in a former bank, the interiors of the hotel nod to its storied history, such as the Banker’s Bar’s ceiling crafted from original safes found in the property. All 120 rooms are bright and airy, with most offering those aforementioned views via a private terrace or balcony. Downstairs, the Moments Restaurant sits at the heart of the hotel and is undeniably one of its biggest draws. Overseen by the world’s most acclaimed female chef, Carme Ruscalleda, the two-Michelin star eatery serves Catalan classics fused with seasonal ingredients.
From €675 per night, visit mandarinoriental.com
Cotton House Hotel, Gothic Quarter
For a more boutique feel (which doesn’t skimp on luxurious touches), head to the Cotton House Hotel, situated in the bustling heart of Barcelona. Interiors are inspired by its former life as the headquarters of the Cotton Textile Foundation, which was built on the orders of a family of the Catalan bourgeoisie when the textile industry was at its height. Today, the 19th-century neoclassical building houses 83 spacious and characterful rooms and, naturally, the interiors focus on cotton through a chromatic palette of white, black and sepia to resemble the plant. You’ll also find your bedroom kitted out with the softest bed linen, Egyptian cotton towels, honeycomb bath robes and toiletries from Mediterranean cosmetics brand Ortigia.
Elsewhere, the leafy rooftop is a welcome escape from the blistering heat and offers impressive views across the city’s gothic quarter. The Batuar restaurant and bar is on hand to cook up a storm from 7am until midnight every day, serving traditional Mediterranean cuisine. To whet your palate, we recommend the Gossypium cocktail: a delectable blend of pisco, blue curaçao, gin, lime and spices inspired by the turquoise colour of Barcelona’s sea.
Boutique hotels are often renowned for their bespoke experiences and the Cotton House doesn’t disappoint. The Bespoke Shirt Tailoring experience pays homage to the hotel’s history and is perfect for the fashion-conscious among us. The hotel’s very own L’Atelier will take measurements for your handmade shirt, before you sit back and enjoy a Royal Tea served in the Library, one of the rooms that the members of the Cotton Producers Guild of Barcelona used as a social club back in the 1950s.
From €460 per night, visit hotelcottonhouse.com
The Barcelona Edition, El Born
With an enviable locale in El Born, the city’s creative hub at the centre of the famed Ciutat Vella district, The Barcelona Edition is nestled between the cerulean waters of the Mediterranean Sea and l’Eixample neighbourhood — Barcelona’s renowned boutique shopping epicentre. Inside, pick from 100 suites with interconnecting rooms perfect for families or friend groups. There are two stunning penthouses too, each designed to be a home-from-home with their own private terraces equipped with laidback lounge areas and dining spaces for private al fresco meals and relaxation under the Catalan sun.
Heading up the property’s popular signature restaurants and bars, Veraz and The Roof, executive chef Pedro Tassarolo has utilised his wealth of experience at Mugaritz in the Basque Country and world-renowned El Bulli. At Veraz, guests can enjoy dishes made with the freshest, market seasonal ingredients from the neighbouring Santa Caterina Market. Highlights include folgueroles bread with roseta tomato and olive oil, fried anchovies with fresh lemon and organic beef skirt steak from Girona with crispy potatoes and Padron peppers. New to the drinks menu this summer is an expertly curated selection of vermouth and sherry wines, including red and white vermouths from the Tarragona region, palo cortado, manzanilla or fino.
On the tenth floor you’ll find The Roof: an intimate oasis offering panoramic views of the city with elegant outdoor seating and a small pool serving light dishes inspired by Asian cuisine. Think fresh small plates, such as Korean-style fried chicken, vegetarian donburi, Thai salad, or scallops and prawn ssam. At the travertine marble bar, pick from an innovative seasonal menu of cocktails, natural juices, smoothies, kombuchas and mocktails. Cocktail highlights include the Clara de Yuzu, which includes yuzu sake, beer and lemon sherbet, as well as refreshing mocktails such as Butterfly Effect: pineapple, grapefruit, lemon, jasmine cordial and ginger ale.
From €600 per night, visit editionhotels.com
Claris Hotel and Spa, L’Eixample
Merging art, history and gastronomy, Claris Hotel and Spa is the hotel for travellers who want more than just a place to stay. The five-star property was once the Palacio de Vedruna, until it underwent a huge renovation in 1992, and now features 124 rooms, newly-renovated suites, an onsite museum and two eateries — all boasting treasured art, with 70 pieces donated from an Egyptian private collection. On the ground floor, the impressive museum documents architectural works throughout history, featuring Turkish kilims, mosaics and sculptures from the Roman Empire, Egyptian engravings commissioned by Napoleon, works by Catalan artist Josep Guinovart, and even Indian and Burmese sculptures which guests can admire throughout their stay.
We also recommend a trip to the hotel’s award-winning spa, which is the only one in the world to contain authentic pre-Columbian archaeological pieces. Unwind with Mayan aromas, rituals and treatments passed down through generations before perusing the menus of the hotel’s two celebrated restaurants: La Terraza Del Claris, serving traditional Spanish fare at a heated terrace, and Os-Kuro, a sushi bar in a Japanese-garden-inspired setting. The latter offers a select menu based on robata, tempura, wok and other Asian specialties, where guests can also try up to nine sake mixes.
From €260 per night, visit hotelclaris.com
The Hoxton Poblenou, El Poblenou
One of the coolest hotels in Barcelona, despite only opening last year, The Hoxton Poblenou is making a name for itself in luxury circles. The Hoxton hotel brand has been popular with international travellers for years, and the Barcelona outpost followed popular properties in Paris, Amsterdam and Rome. Upon arrival at Poblenou, guests are immediately greeted by an airy lobby and hand-painted bar, where a mixologist is on hand to create your very own welcome drink before you’re granted a key to one of the 240 rooms. Terracotta floors and faded florals of the rooms nod to the Med, while statement headboards, Roberts radios, and handcrafted artworks add to that renowned Hoxton touch. Some of the suites even offer views across the city, so you can watch sunrise and sunset without leaving the comfort of your bed.
Feeling hungry? Tuck into poolside margaritas up on the rooftop bar, Tope, where all-day tacos come with a serious view. The Four Corners restaurant is inspired by Detroit-style pizza joints, serving thick crust at The Slice Shop alongside lighter Italian-American classics that can also be devoured on the outside terrace. Go beyond the hotel’s walls to discover the hip neighbourhood of El Poblenou, boasting cool coffee shops, laidback bars and Rambla de Poblenou — a quieter version of Barcelona’s famed Las Ramblas shopping street in the centre of the city.
From €235 per night, visit thehoxton.com
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