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Still known by Barcelonians as the fabled Ritz, El Palace Hotel Barcelona is a historic property that exudes opulent luxury at every corner, perhaps the most tastefully ostentatious hotel in the city.
You can see the legacy of its history in the velvet drapes, thick carpet, gilded accents and marble columns. The lobby alone is worth visiting — The Great Hall, which also serves as a bar, is filled with hand-painted wallpaper, oversized iron street lamps and Greek statues. It evokes nothing less than Versailles grandeur.
The Barcelona hotel also boasts a swanky cigar club, a Mayan-inspired spa complete with a temazcal (Europe’s first pre-Hispanic sweat lodge, according to the hotel) with a guests-only pool and lovely garden spanning more than 16,100 square feet that overlooks the skyline.
You can see the legacy of its history in the velvet drapes, thick carpet, gilded accents and marble columns. The lobby alone is worth visiting — The Great Hall, which also serves as a bar, is filled with hand-painted wallpaper, oversized iron street lamps and Greek statues. It evokes nothing less than Versailles grandeur.
The Barcelona hotel also boasts a swanky cigar club, a Mayan-inspired spa complete with a temazcal (Europe’s first pre-Hispanic sweat lodge, according to the hotel) with a guests-only pool and lovely garden spanning more than 16,100 square feet that overlooks the skyline.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- Experiencing the Mayan Luxury Spa — a tribute to the Mayan culture that will transport you to the Caribbean Sea — is a must. Hit the temazcal, the pre-Hispanic sauna, before getting an Ancient Massage, based on traditional healing techniques of energy flow and aromatherapy.
- The rooftop terrace has panoramic views of Barcelona, but the surroundings are as much of a focal point as the vistas. Around the terrace are paintings by the modernist artist Ramon Casas, ponds, a swimming pool, gazebos and more than 50 varieties of plants.
- Afternoon tea in the hotel’s historic Hall offers a taste of Old World glamour. Sweet confections, a variety of tea and, if desired, champagne accompany the regal setting and live piano performance.
- Situated in a nice location two blocks away from Passeig de Gràcia and on the Gran Via, the luxury hotel is within walking distance to many Barcelona sites and high-end shopping.
- The Bluesman Cigar Lounge, located beside the Bluesman Cocktail Bar, allows you to smoke in an elegant, leather-clad cigar cellar.
The Rooms
- The 120 guest rooms are equipped with the latest technology and have been recently renovated. All are decorated in an elegant, neoclassical style in ivories and creams and pops of black.
- Luxe touches include marble fireplaces, television screens that are hidden within grand mirrors, flocked wallpaper and separate bath and rain showers.
- Book one of the six suites dedicated to six larger-than-life cultural icons, including the Salvador Dalí, Josephine Baker, César Ritz and Carlos Ruiz Zafón. Each has a large, luxurious big Roman-style bathroom decorated with mosaics.
The Restaurants
- Enjoy a relaxed start to your day with breakfast at El Jardín. Greenery abounds in the light-filled setting and the breakfast menu’s extensive offerings have something for everyone, no matter if you take your morning meal savory or sweet.
- The rooftop terrace’s restaurant offers Mediterranean fare with a modern twist, with a menu dictated by whatever happens to be in season.
- Decked out in blue with gold accents and crystal chandeliers, the elegant Amar Barcelona celebrates seafood-forwad Mediterranean cuisine from chef Rafa Zafra.
- Listen to live music in the Bluesman Cocktail Bar, an elegant bar where jazz and blues accompany the top-shelf whiskies and classic cocktails. The Bluesman painting — created and donated by a friend of Ronnie Wood, the Rolling Stones’ manager — presides over the bar.
Getting There
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 668, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
TEL34-935-10-11-30
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