A Nobu hotel in Barcelona’s Sants neighbourhood is a pretty big deal. There’s no sugar coating this area – it’s frankly a sprawling suburb of building works and train lines. But it's away from packed-out tourist hotspots and has a distinctly Catalan feel – and since 2019, it’s had a shiny Nobu hotel in the centre (before that, the building was the Gran Hotel Torre Catalunya). Every design or feature therefore feels pretty shiny, and the breezy, easy vibe of the rooms extends through to the corridors and restaurant. Even the lobby has a grandiose temple-like entrance, drawing inspiration from traditional Shinto temple gates, and you’ll find wooden panelling, bamboo, crochet and lanterns throughout.
Rooms are decked out with soft furnishings, traditional tea sets and a king-sized bed, complete with a billowing sail – which feels like you’re being soothed to sleep in a little sailing ship. I stayed in the sake suite, which has views out across the city and out onto the Collserola hills from every window – from inside the rainfall shower, you can gaze at la Sagrada Familia. Even the curtains are controlled by a little tablet left on your bedside table. To eat, there’s the casual Kozara downstairs (for salad bowls, smoothies and the likes), and Nobu restaurant on the rooftop, with a six-course Taste of the Season menu serving up yellowfin tuna sashimi with jalapeño, seabass ceviche and Nobu’s famous blackened cod, served on a little palm leaf. With both mountain and city views from the 23rd floor to match, impeccable service and an extensive cocktail menu, this is about as special a meal as you’d expect from this hotel mega chain – if you’re lucky, you might even spot an FC Barcelona player at the next table.
Neighbourhood
Sants might not be the city’s hotspot – but you’re certainly well connected. You’ve got great access to the trains and metro, so you can zip across to pretty much everywhere in the city. You’re also near Plaça d’Espanya, right in the middle of the charming neighbourhood of Eixample, nearby the Olympic Stadium and Venetian Towers. You’re 20-minutes walk from the historic Montjuïc, home to Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya and Barcelona’s Jardí Botànic.
Nearby
1. Mercat de Sant Antoni: a little market with all kinds of traditional Spanish goods, from caracoles (snails) to huge, fresh buffalo tomatoes
2. Bunker: a very cool vintage shop with DJs spinning all day long
3. Mural del Beso: the ‘kiss’ mosaic mural in the Ciutat Vella district, made up of lots of tiny polaroids
Details
Address: Avinguda de Roma, 2, 4, Distrito de Sants-Montjuïc, 08014 Barcelona, Spain
Transport: Barcelona Sants train station / Sants Estació metro
Price: from €580 per person