Whether they're located in central Barcelona, a quarter that is relatively untouched by tourism, or somewhere that offers attractive prices, many of the boutique hotels in the city have a casa – or homelike – quality. Unlike some of the larger hotels in the city, boutique rooms tend to be unique, even if they all have the things you need, such as a rooftop terrace, a bar, a pool, or a restaurant. What makes boutique Catalan hotels stand out is their individual character. Once you've stayed in a room like no other in Barcelona, you may never want to book a generic hotel room in any other city again. With so much to offer visitors, this part of Spain is the perfect location to book a boutique stay. Read on to learn more about the many star offerings Barcelona has among its luxury boutique hotels and the considerations you should consider before booking one.
Catalan architecture is so distinctive and unique that staying in anything other than a boutique hotel with a one-off design aesthetic would likely lead to disappointment. The good news is that whether you want a casa-style hotel so it feels like you're staying in a modern building that's laid out like a house or something with a more Catalan Gothic style, there will be a boutique hotel for you. In many cases, there will be multiple hotels to choose from depending on the exact location. Each area in this part of Eastern Spain has its own style. Some of the best boutique hotels in the city work on a design principle that won't be found elsewhere. Typically, they've been designed to blend in with the local architectural style for their particular quarter. Although guests can book boutique rooms all over Spain, doing so in Barcelona is especially worth it because of this regional style that can be found in virtually every area of the city.
Barcelona may be full of luxury boutique hotel rooms, but this doesn't mean that every room will be suited to all of the different requirements of guests. Therefore, check what sort of access the building has, something that's particularly important for guests with limited mobility, for example. Typically, boutique hotels have elevators, but not all will so find out whether it is possible to check into a ground-floor room if your preferred hotel doesn't have one. Many of the best places to stay in the city are close to Las Ramblas, a grand boulevard in central Barcelona. This is a lively area day and night with top, star-rated hotels. However, it can mean some noise, so check a nearby quarter from where you can walk to this central part of the city if you're a light sleeper. You'd also be well advised to choose a smaller boutique hotel with only a couple of dozen rooms if you like a quieter atmosphere and avoid some of the grand, five-star hotels in central Barcelona, which can be a little soulless compared to booking a casa-style room even just one or two streets away. Check out the Gracia Quarter of Barcelona if you'd like to stay somewhere close to the city's grand Gothic area, also known as Ciutat Vella. Like the nearby Eixample district, you'll be close to many art galleries, boutiques, and trendy bars. Gracia also boasts many top, star-rated restaurants, notably on Passeig de Gracia, one of the city's main shopping streets.
In Barcelona, you can find many great places to stay, with superbly decorated rooms offering the best views over the city, some of which will even afford you a view over the Mediterranean Sea. However, not every hotel in Barcelona offers top-quality cuisine. That's fine because, in almost every area, you will find places to eat and drink. Tapas bars are standard throughout every quarter, for example. However, if you want a hotel that has its own terrace for dining al fresco or you would prefer at least somewhere that has a bar that serves snacks, it is worth making sure this is on offer. Many of the more modern boutique hotels have a bar and a restaurant, but check before booking to ensure everything about your stay will be perfect. Many places serve traditional Catalan dishes but view the online restaurant menu, too, if you want to enjoy other types of cuisine from both Spain and overseas at your chosen hotel.
Many of the best boutique hotels in Barcelona have a pool, sometimes a rooftop pool, which offers exceptional views. If you'd like a hotel that offers full spa facilities, too, you can find one and book a luxury room to stay in. Please note that hotel prices may or may not include access to the spa. Sometimes, just one or two spa treatments are thrown in, but you have to pay for the rest. Before booking, consider how far it may be to walk to a day spa in the area. This can sometimes give you more hotel options and still mean you can enjoy a nearby pool or spa. Read all the hotel house guides on using the pool or spa well because not every hotel will be the best option if you only want a quick dip and not to luxuriate by the pool terrace all day long before heading out from your chosen location.
Barcelona is the perfect city whether you want to stay somewhere that exudes luxury, has a modern design aesthetic, or conforms to a more historic building style. It is as good for families as couples when booking a boutique hotel. Even if your room doesn't have a balcony with views, find somewhere that is located close to the sea, such as the Barceloneta area, to enjoy the view from the rooftop, ideally with a terrace bar where you can mingle with other guests.