The best hotels for a Barcelona city break

You'd hardly know you were in the heart of Barcelona once you're inside Born's most in-demand hotel: the place is wonderfully quiet, with Hitchcockian corridors opening up onto sleekly-appointed rooms. The real charm of the hotel lies on the roof. Here you can sip a cocktail and admire the wonderful views while floating in the vertiginous infinity pool. Highly recommended.

Imagine sipping a cocktail (or three), with your feet dangling over an infinity pool while admiring breathtaking views over Barcelona. W Barcelona looks a bit like it's about to sail off into the Meditterranean, but packed into its slimline structure are a spa, a ton of luxurious rooms and a rooftop bar. The W Hotel’s impressive rooms feature avant-garde design and those gorgeous sea views.

If you're after original features and classic décor then you've come to the right hotel. Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona GL offers stylish, modern rooms in a neoclassical building on Passeig de Gràcia. Sweat your stresses away in the sauna, go for a swim in the rooftop pool or just soak up the city views from the terrace. There is also a cocktail bar located by the pool and a piano bar, because, well you can never have too many bars.

This five-star hotel gets top marks for dedication to a theme. Fluffy-ball shaped chandeliers, a cotton-covered den in the library and even a cocktail bar named after a cotton-pressing machine are some of thr quirky details that make this place a joy to stay. Formerly the headquarters of the Association of Cotton House Manufacturers, the building features a beautiful vestibule, a conservatory, several lounges and a library.

Set in Barcelona’s vibrant Raval district, this design hotel offers free Wi-Fi, a gym and a roof terrace with pool and panoramic views. Each bright, air-conditioned room at the Barceló Raval features a minibar, a modern bathroom and a large plasma-screen TV. Some rooms even include a Nespresso coffee machine – because you'll need the caffeine to keep up with El Raval's bustling nightlife and cabaret scene, believe us.

For anyone who secretly wishes they could momentarily appear in an episode of Downton Abbey, this hotel could be as close as you get to playing aristocracy. Set in an eighteenth-century house overlooking a secluded square in the heart of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, Hotel Neri is just next door to the city’s Cathedral and just a short walk from the buzzing Las Ramblas. The hotel's original period charm has been preserved, but don't worry it's still got all the mod cons required for a comfortable stay.

This chic hotel is opposite Barcelona’s International Convention Centre and Barcelona's Forum Auditorium, and a glorious five-minute walk from the beach. It has a spa and gym, and a rooftop pool and bar with spectacular ocean views. Plus, there's free access to the hotel gym (if you didn't have time to get beach-body ready before you arrived) and all air-conditioned rooms have flat-screen satellite TV, free wi-fi and a laptop safe.

If you want be in the heart of the action, high-fiving the street performers and dining out every night, then head to this hotel, situated just 100 metres from the famous Ramblas, on Plaza Catalunya in Barcelona's city centre. It comes with free wi-fi and a terrace bar with views of Santa Ana Church. Catalunya Metro Station is two minutes’ walk from the hotel and the Gothic Quarter is less than ten minutes away.

Situated 200 metres from Barcelona’s Magic Fountain, Poble Espanyol and the Joan Miró Foundation and easily in reach of the city's historic centre by bus or metro. (Poble Sec and Espanya Metro Stations are both 500 metres away.) This elegant hotel offers spacious rooms with a flat-screen TV and a hydromassage shower – you'll need it after all that sightseeing.

Hotel Rey Juan Carlos's award-winning spa is a spa to trump all spas and is well worth the visit alone. Unwinding in the sauna will be particularly welcome after a day spent at FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium (just a 15 minutes’ walk from away). Set in 25 hectares of gardens, the large rooms are kitted out with free wi-fi, airconditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with hairdryer and free toiletries (the perk of any hotel stay.) Zona Universitària Metro Stop is 450 metres away, connecting you with the city centre in a speedy 20 minutes.