The best hotels in Barcelona, Spain (updated 2025)

Staying at the Majestic means staying in a luxury hotel housed in a neoclassical building on Passeig de Gràcia, complete with its original façade. The rooms run from classic deluxes that are perfect for couples, all the way to complete apartments straight out of a dream. The size of the rooms generally corresponds to the price point, but you won’t be cramped for space at any point. Families will be thrilled to hear that deluxe rooms can be connected, although that is always subject to availability. It almost feels redundant to note that the rooms are equipped with modern conveniences, but if you need confirmation, there it is.

Outside of the rooms, you’ll find a piano bar, a cocktail bar, and the stylish Gourmet Bar on the rooftop terrace by the pool. From up there, the views are truly breathtaking: look one way and you’ll see Montjuïc hill, another and the sea framed between the twin towers, and in yet another direction, the iconic Sagrada Família. Barcelona is a city that shines brightest when framed, and you’ll struggle to find a more romantic view than the one found up here. Michelin-starred chef Nandu Jubany oversees the Solc restaurant – a tribute to local produce and Mediterranean cuisine. El Bar del Majestic is one of the city’s famous meeting points, a place to make plans over a late brunch or a colourful cocktail.

The full-service spa maintains the sophisticated ambience, offering a diverse range of treatments that include hydrotherapy, facials, massages, and more. The spa offers numerous special packages for those seeking to make a day of it, and they are well worth every penny. The spa says that its services have been “designed to offset the harming effects of urban life,” and such things have never been more necessary.

Time Out tip: Be sure to make a reservation for the restaurant, and get ready for a spectacular meal.

Address: Pg. de Gràcia, 68, L'Eixample, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Price per night: Starting at around €400 a night
Closest transport: Tenerife South airport is an 11-minute drive

Hotel Miramar Barcelona is one of the city’s top hotels, thanks to its setting in a former Noucentista-style palace that still retains original architectural features, paired with a sleek and elegant interior. Surrounded by gardens in the picturesque Montjuïc area, it offers sweeping views over the Mediterranean Sea, which is precisely what you want from a 5-star luxury hotel in this beautiful city. It describes itself as “Barcelona’s best-kept secret,” but that isn’t going to be the case for much longer. The views from the rooms are spectacular, the perfect way to fall in love with the city before you do any exploring. Most deluxe rooms feature balconies or terraces, while the premium rooms and suites offer an even higher level of excellence. The Gran Suite Mediterránea is the ultimate in luxury, a setting so special that you might just try and lock yourself in for all eternity.

You’ll probably (by which we mean definitely) find yourself stopping at the terrace bar at some point – and it’s hard to resist the spectacular outdoor pool, perfect for a refreshing dip, or the soothing spa for a moment of calm. The amenities dotted around Hotel Miramar are truly elite, starting with the Studio Miramar restaurant. The restaurant makes the most of excellent regional produce to create delicious contemporary dishes, all accentuated by a comprehensive wine list to cover all palates. The Lobby Bar is where stories start, and Thursday evenings are given over to live piano music that is every bit as atmospheric as you assume.

The wellness and health facilities combine serenity and luxury with the confidence of a veteran, offering a range of treatments. There is even a hair spa on-site, if you feel like your bonnet needs a bit of a touch-up, and a fully equipped fitness centre for energetic visitors.

Time Out tip: Keep walking downhill and you’ll eventually reach the old port and the end of La Rambla.

Address: Plaça de Carlos Ibáñez, 3, Sants-Montjuïc, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
Price per night: Starting from around €200 per night
Closest transport: Paral.lel metro station

Generator Barcelona blurs the line between hostel and hotel, offering both budget-friendly dorm beds and sleek private rooms with terraces overlooking the Sagrada Família at remarkably affordable prices. Expect a lively, youthful vibe in shared spaces, but peace and comfort upstairs. The rooms are clean and quiet, offering great views that harken back to the glory days of hostel travel without sacrificing modern comfort. Generator offers 4-, 6-, and 8-bed dorms, and female-only rooms are also available. The beds are comfy, there is a decent amount of space, and the plugs work. Breakfast is basic but convenient, and DIY check-in is smooth.

However, and we apologise for being somewhat blunt, but nobody is staying in a hostel for the room. The hostel industry (and its legendary status among travellers) was built on community and conversation, and Generator Barcelona does all it can to keep that flame burning. The common area somehow manages to be a throwback while hurtling into the future, providing ample space for in-depth conversations with your new best friends and travel companions. This is one of the most sociable hostels in the city, and you’ll not be wanting for drinking buddies when staying at Generator Barcelona. Let your hair down, and you might just make memories to last a lifetime (provided they survive the morning after).

The classic hostel amenities continue, including bike hire, laundry, luggage storage, and more, giving guests every opportunity to make the most of their time in Barcelona while keeping their budget on track. Located between Gràcia and Eixample, Generator is close to the top sights and metro links, as well as the best bars and clubs in the centre of Barcelona. A solid, affordable stay – if you don’t mind the party crowd.

Time Out tip: Depending on your mileage, the 4-bed dorm is almost always the way to go in hostels.

Address: Carrer de Còrsega 377, 08037 Barcelona, Spain
Price per night: Starting from around €84
Closest transport: Diagonal metro station (Line L3)

Now that’s a piece of architecture. This gleaming, sail-shaped tower on the edge of the Mediterranean could be your home for as many nights as your budget allows – and it comes with all the luxury you’ve been dreaming of. Picture yourself unwinding in a stylish room with sweeping views over the beach. Easily done, but there’s a good chance that the reality will exceed even those most delightful expectations. This place is a well-oiled machine, with 473 rooms and 67 suites in a Ricardo Bofill Leví-designed building that is ready and waiting to take up serious space in your camera roll. Some of the views are borderline unbelievable, although the same can be said about some of the beds. We’ve tried sneaking one out in our hand luggage, but it just isn’t happening.

When you’re ready to venture out, you’ve got a spa, pools, gourmet restaurants and the rooftop ECLIPSE bar to enjoy. In many ways, Hotel W is more seaside resort than traditional hotel, and you’ll find almost everything you’ll need within the glass walls of this curious construction. There are beach clubs for all your lounging desires, while the two-floor spa covers everything from manicures to pedicures via massages, facials, and the rest, with a fabulous sauna and steam bath.

If you want to work up a sweat before embracing serenity, the gym is open 24 hours and has spectacular views that will drive you towards new PBs (or distract you from the workout). There is even an elite hair salon to get a perfect cut after the sweating and the scrubbing, the prettiest of bows on this absolute treat of a hotel. And if you can tear yourself away from the complex, you’re right on Barceloneta Beach and just minutes from the old town.

Time Out tip: Spend a little extra and snag a room on one of the higher floors. The views are breathtaking and worth every euro.

This is one of Barcelona’s most iconic hotels for good reason. Well, a collection of reasons, namely its location right by the sea, its striking design, and its standout restaurant. And the rooms, of course, because a reputation isn’t built on location alone. The 432 rooms and suites are gorgeously weighted with large windows allowing the beauty of Barcelona to do much of the heavy lifting, all contemporary design and effortless grace, with comfortable beds and modern amenities. There are no bad options.

Going back to the restaurant, chef Paco Pérez is at the helm, blending local traditions and seasonal ingredients with his signature creativity. At Enoteca Paco Pérez, you’ll find imaginative reinterpretations of classic Mediterranean cuisine. You can also enjoy the chic terrace, complete with stunning sea views and an effortlessly elegant atmosphere. The wine list touches on around 700 different wines, and if that doesn’t get your Barcelona senses tingling, we don’t know what to say. If you want something a little less formal, there are four other food and drink options, although two (P41 and Lokal) are closed for renovation at the time of writing.

The charm continues away from bed and board, and the hotel’s gardens are among the most charming in the city. Wandering through them is one thing, but viewing them from an infinity pool is another entirely, as the magic of Mediterranean culture unfolds in front of you. When a doctor discusses the Mediterranean diet, they may be referring to this specific approach. And then there’s the spa, evolving from an already elite standard into something entirely new, with expert therapists on hand to provide relaxation and recuperation in equal measure. The wellness centre is located on the fourth floor of the hotel, but you will feel sky high once you settle into your massage. There is also a fitness centre open every hour of every day.

Time Out tip: Don’t be afraid to have a long chat with the sommelier when deciding on your wine. There are no bad options, but trust the professionals.

El Palace is a piece of living history in the city. The building first opened its doors in 1919 and still features a neoclassical façade and elegant, classically styled rooms that have been fully modernised. There are 120 rooms in total, accommodating between one and seven guests, making El Palace an excellent choice for everyone from solo travellers to vacationing families. There is character and history everywhere, with suites named after famous guests (Ronnie Wood, Joséphine Baker, and more) and an entire art wing dedicated to some of the most creative minds in history. There are classic rooms available for those after something a little simpler, although don’t make the mistake of thinking this means bare bones. Quite the opposite; the classic rooms are elegant, comfortable, and packed with mod cons.

When you’re feeling hungry, head to aMar Barcelona, the restaurant run by Rafa Zafra, or kick off (or end) your night at Bluesman, where you’ll find great cocktails and live music. There is a speakeasy element to the bar that makes those colourful cocktails just that little bit tastier, transporting drinkers back to the 1920s while keeping the drinks modern and fresh. And if you’re in need of some serious relaxation, the hotel’s spa is just the place to unwind and forget all your stress.

There is history around every corner of El Palace, although you might assume that to be the case with such a name. El Palace is a cornerstone of Catalonian accommodation, a 5-star luxury hotel that pays homage to its past while staying in touch with modern trends and standards. The rooftop garden is the cherry on top, a magically romantic space packed with beautiful flora, glittering fountains, and a swimming pool that is just about as inviting as pools get. You can understand why Dalí chose to spend so much time in the hotel.

Time Out tip: The suites in the art wing are positively dripping in style. They aren’t the cheapest, but they are magnificent.

Address: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 668, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
Price per night: Starting from around €500 
Closest transport: Urquinaona metro station

This exclusive 22-room hotel is set in an 18th-century aristocratic house overlooking one of Barcelona’s most beautiful and historic squares – Sant Felip Neri. Hotel Neri claims to be the most unique hotel in the city, and we aren’t about to disagree. The original façade has been preserved and faces the square, and there’s even a 17th-century stone wall separating the lounge bar from the restaurant. Each floor of the building is dedicated to a specific category of room, each as charming as the next, ranging from the dapper classic rooms to art-filled suites with views of the Gothic streets below.

If you’re peckish at Hotel Neri, you’re in luck. Sure, there are many magnificent restaurants within walking distance of the hotel, but guests looking to eat before exploring will find plenty to love at “a” restaurant, an eatery that makes up in taste what it lacks in moniker. The menu is packed with Catalan classics that have been upgraded with modern techniques and global influences. On the top floor, Robe Estesa is one of Barcelona’s most romantic tapas restaurants (think of the ground that covers), an absolute fairytale of a place with gorgeous lights and a truly undeniable atmosphere.

With all that in mind, it’s no surprise that Hotel Neri has been granted Special Monument status. The location is part of the charm, while a sleep menu will ensure the best night’s sleep possible. It isn’t often that you get to stay in a medieval castle, and it feels like an opportunity to snap up with both hands. Step outside the magic of the hotel and you’re just moments from both Las Ramblas and the Cathedral, two absolute musts on any Barcelona bucket list worth its salt. Hotel Neri ticks all the boxes with a most sophisticated pen.

Time Out tip: It goes without saying, but if you can get a room with a balcony, get a room with a balcony.

Address: Carrer de Sant Sever, 5, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Price per night: Starting from around €400
Closest transport: Jaume I (L4) or Liceu (L3) metro stations