The Best Cultural Hotels In Barcelona Catalunya

Barcelona is filled with a number of fantastic hotels that stand as cultural destinations in their own right. From top design hotels to more affordable accommodations with an artistic flair, we bring you the best cultural hotels in the Catalunya capital.

1. The Level at Melia Barcelona Sky

Hotel

Melia Barcelona Sky is without a doubt a landmark in the city of Barcelona. With 29 floors and 258 rooms, the hotel is one of the highest and emblematic buildings in the Skyline of Barcelona. The Level is located in the innovative ‘Distrito 22@’, next to Avenida Diagonal, and near one of the city’s best beaches. The hotel boasts luxurious rooms of minimalist décor fitted with the latest technology, suites with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea, mountains, and the city. Home to the Michelin star restaurant Dos Cielos on the 24th floor, the terrace offers the opportunity to enjoy the textures, flavors and experiences of the Torres brothers cuisine. The hotel also features Restaurant DO2 and Skybar in the lobby, which serves signature cuisine based on Mediterranean tradition and delicious cocktails. Designed by French architect Dominique Perrault, a prestigious figure in the architectural scene, the building is a cultural monument to the city. With fantastic terraces, outdoor swimming pools and a personalised cocktail service after dinner, Melia Barcelona Sky is one the best cutting-edge hotels home to the top high-end gastronomy restaurants.

2. Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel

Hotel

The Grand Marina Hotel is an exclusive hotel located on the central wharf of Barcelona’s port. Famous for its minimalist avant-garde design, fresh Mediterranean aesthetics and a bevy of services, the Grand Marina is an ideal destination for both business and leisure visitors. The hotel boasts an outdoor pool with city and port vistas, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a piano bar. The rooms of the hotel are elegantly designed, with soothing hues, fine wood, and beautiful textiles. Its seafront location, within Barcelona’s bustling Port Vell, provides incredible views from almost every angle. The main lobby is furnished with an exquisite staircase designed by the renowned architect I. M. Pei, who designed the pyramid at the entrance to the Louvre Museum in Paris. Also popular at the hotel is the number of rotating avant-garde art exhibitions. With interesting architecture, convenient location and an art focus, the Grand Marina Hotel is an ideal stop-off point for any cultural traveler.

3. The Hotel DO: Placa Reial

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

A room at Hotel DO Plaça Reial with a white four-poster bed, a grey sofa and a view of the square

The Hotel DO: Placa Reial is one of the first gastronomic boutique hotels in the historic center of Barcelona. It is both welcoming and elegant with an interior designed by Lázaro Rosa Violán. Exclusivity, design, comfort, excellent food and drink, and personal service makes Hotel DO a great addition to this list. The hotel is ideally located within reach of many of the main tourist attractions: the Ramblas, the Liceo, the Boqueria market, and the Picasso museum, to name a few. Its restaurant’s carefully selected gastronomic menu is based on the concept of the excellence of seasonal produce and authenticity of what is local. In the three restaurant areas of La Cuina, La Terrassa, and El Terrat, chef Pere Moreno offers creative twists on Mediterranean cuisine. Located in a historic building that dates back from 1856, this five-star hotel boasts an astonishing 18 luxury rooms, most of them with an exotic view over the Plaza Real.

5. Hotel Arts Barcelona

Resort, Hotel

The contemporary Hotel Arts Barcelona lounge area with neutral-toned furniture and huge windows looking out over the Med

Set on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, Hotel Arts is a striking piece of contemporary architecture designed by the renowned architect Bruce Graham of Skidmore, Owings and Merill. Hotel Arts Barcelona is a modern beacon that was built to coincide with the Olympic Games in 1992. Since then it has become a landmark on the Barcelona boardwalk, a soaring and exposed steel building with refined spaces and elegant interiors. The hotel also owns an exclusive collection of Spanish contemporary art. With more than 1,000 square feet of terraces and gardens, the panoramic views of the city are spectacular and the hotel also overlooks miles of the beach below. This award-winning retreat offers a 24-hour personalized experience and is perfect for a luxury trip to beautiful Barcelona.

6. Mandarin Oriental

Hotel

Rooftop seating area with sofas, rocking chairs and views over the city at the Mandarin Oriental

Set on the prestigious and celebrated Passeig de Gracia, the Mandarin Hotel offers unique, Michelin-starred dining. The hotel houses two restaurants: Moments, which serves gastronomic Catalan cuisine and Blanc Brasserie & Gastrobar, offering contemporary dining all day. In addition to these culinary delights, the hotel offers a luxurious hideaway within the cool Catalan capital, featuring a spectacular spa and within close proximity to one of Barcelona’s most upscale streets of chic boutiques and Gaudi buildings. Known for its exceptional service the Mandarin Oriental is a real gem in the heart of Barcelona, and the caliber of the hotel’s service has been widely praised as exceptional.

7. Hotel Claris Barcelona

Spa Hotel

A white hotel room with a double bed, golden chandelier, golden bedside lamps and a floral painted right wall at Hotel Claris Barcelona

Hotel Claris sits in an excellent location, set in a former 19th-century palace off the Passeig de Gracia. The hotel is the ideal destination for art lovers, housing a 400+ piece art collection, and each room is lightly decorated with original Roman, Egyptian and Hindu artworks. Jordi Clos, who is the owner, is also an avid collector and has a strong affinity for art, and also owns the Egyptian Museum of Barcelona. On the first floor of the hotel, there is a permanent collection of Egyptian artifacts from Clos’ private collection. The unique style of Claris – defined by its eclectic approach to design, its precious artworks, archaeological finds and ancient rugs – makes Hotel Claris feel like both a museum and a hotel destination.

8. Alma Barcelona

Hotel, Boutique Hotel

A dark and spacious bedroom at Alma Barcelona with a rug, grey walls and an en suite

Set in a distinct building in the Eixample area of Barcelona, The Alma Barcelona has been praised for its sophisticated architecture and interior design. Its minimalist subtlety epitomizes the quieter side of Barcelona’s visual style. The atmosphere is contemporary with timeless charms of rich hardwood and dark leather, and the bedrooms are also furnished with a mix of modernist classics and custom pieces. Aside from the hotel’s chic and modern interior, Alma Barcelona’s restaurant is another point of pride, serving delicious meals with a ‘Mediterranean soul’. In addition to the popular and classic dishes listed in the menu, the kitchen can also prepare customized plates that are designed to match guest’s tastes and preferences.

9. The Mirror

Hotel

Rooms at The Mirror with sleek decor, including a large mirror, a wall-mounted TV and white robes

Slick and modern, The Mirror sets a standard for Barcelona chic. The hotel gleams with style as light is reflected throughout all the rooms of the hotel, with its sophisticated white-on-white décor paired beautifully with mirrors. With such close proximity to Las Ramblas and Paseo de Gracia, as well as other architectural gems, The Mirror is a popular choice of hotel for those looking for a lustrous home away from home. Since its inauguration in 2011, The Mirror Barcelona has been bringing both style and luxury to the city. The Mirror is an exceptional example of both architecture and interior design. The use of space and cutting edge design lends itself to the distinct personality of each room within the hotel.

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