Along with the Mandarin Oriental, the Arts Hotel is the top address in town for those looking for modern luxury and superlative service. Though it is a bit farther out on the Olympic harbor,the Arts also offers wonderful ocean views, and is just a 5 minute taxi or 15 minute walk from the city center. Amenities include a luxurious spa and six dining venues.The hotel lies in the heart of a humming entertainment district with casinos, night clubs, upscale restaurants, and miles of beautiful beaches. The club area features its dedicated check in and staff, and a great private lounge. The real stars of true luxury are the 27 butler serviced apartments that occupy the top 10 floors of the glass and steel tower. Virtuoso amenities are offered.

Located on the Passeig de Gracia and tucked behind an inviting ramp, this is the perfect spot for anyone who wants to be close to the city center and the boutique shops while still staying in luxury accommodations. The hotel features beautiful eco-contemporary interiors by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola, which use sleek materials and funky design pieces. The atmosphere is relaxed yet polished – staff in the more casual restaurant are decked out in trilby hats and Converse shoes, but the service remains impeccable. The lower category rooms are a little small, so we suggest taking a junior suite. The hotel also features a spa, which has a small, but very inviting swimming pool and a large steam room. Restaurants include the Michelin-starred Moments, which is open for lunch and dinner and serves traditional Catalan dishes. There is also the less formal Blanc, which has a brasserie-style menu. Barcelona’s most stylish regularly congregate at both, with drinks before or after at the cool Banker’s Bar (with late night live music on Wednesdays). A nice feature is the rooftop bar and terrace in the spring and summer months, with its shallow pool and magnificent 360 degree views of the city. Breakfast at the hotel is delightful, and included as one of the numerous Virtuoso amenities.

In our opinion, El Palace is the leading traditional option in town. The property is within walking distance of Passeig de Gracia and Plaza Catalunya, and five minutes from the Gothic quarter, and welcomes guests in historic traditional surroundings amid great pomp and splendor. The public areas, accommodations and service, make this a "must" for traditionalists.

Another serious competitor in the traditional luxury market, the Majestic can at times offer accommodation at a slightly lower price point than El Palace, and is always a solid choice. The hotel is right on the Passeig de Gràcia, between Gaudí's iconic Casa Batlló and his Pedrera apartment block, and handily placed for shopping, particularly at the higher end. Plenty of buses, metros and taxis stop nearby. The hotel offers excellent rooms, service and food, with a beautiful rooftop pool and bar area. The breakfast, rated by some critics as the best in Europe, is included as a Virtuoso amenity.

Probably the best W Hotel in Europe, and perhaps the world. For those looking for a property with a contemporary vibe, on the beach, while still being just a 10 minute walk from the center, this is the place. One of Barcelona’s most iconic hotels, W Barcelona has re-opened its doors following a multi-million euro renovation of all of its 473 guestrooms and suites. Located on the Barceloneta Boardwalk, the striking sail-shaped hotel benefits from uninterrupted panoramic views of both the city and the Mediterranean. The new décor pays homage to the hotel’s privileged seafront location with a new ‘urban aquatic’ theme, which sees punchy blue hues dominate, complimented by pops of teal, rose gold and white.The room’s floor to ceiling windows dominate the eye and offer unparalleled views. We recommend requesting a room on one of the top floors for the best views, but avoid rooms close to the lively rooftop bar, Eclipse, on the 26th floor, which goes in true Spanish fashion until 5:00 in the morning. Virtuoso Amenities available.

We love this boutique hotel that has wonderful views overlooking Port Vell, and is centrally located in the Gothic quarter (ideal for easy access to the beach and the city). It has a fresh, contemporary design, with lots of light and striking furnishings. There are 29 rooms, which all have desks and open on to balconies, but be sure to request one with a view of the port. The communal terrace with a small swimming pool is our favorite place to sit and have a cocktail before heading into Marc Gascon’s Michelin-starred restaurant. We like that the building has retained its 19th century exterior, and that Picasso had his first studio here in 1896. Virtuoso Amenities available.

There are plenty of excellent hotels in Barcelona, but for a longer stay we love this collection of apartments. Each of the six suites has two bedrooms, can sleep four and has a fully furnished kitchen, dining room and living room, as well as a balcony or terrace. Personal assistants are assigned to each one, and the building also has a spa and Finnish sauna. Interiors are minimalist and decorated in neutral tones, with lots of white and grey. The feel is stylish and elegant, with a mix of modern and antique designed furniture. It is a great option if you want more space for a family or business trip, and the central location means that you are still close to the best restaurants and sights in the city. 

Barcelona may be blessed with more than its fair share of luxury hotels, but few of them can compete with the stylish Hotel Monument. Boasting two Michelin-star restaurants, a breath-taking rooftop terrace, and an enviable address right on the elegant passseig de Gracia, Hotel Monument is the kind of place that makes you want to check in and never leave. The property, which has been painstakingkly restored by local Barcelona architects Oscar Tusquets, Carles Basso, and Tote Moreno, in partnership with interior designer Mercè Borrell, has retained many of its original features, such as the grand marble staircase, as well as modernist balconies and exposed brickwork in the bedrooms. They have been flawlessly combined with modern touches to create an elegant, yet distinctly contemporary feel. The design may be on point, but what truly sets Hotel Monument apart is a gastronomic offering that is second to none. From the unforgettable Lasarte, one of only two 3-star Michelin restaurants in the city, to the more laid-back 1-star Oria (both by Spain's star-studded chef, Martin Berasategui), through to Hall0 cocktail bar by local mixology maestro Javier de las Muelas, and, last but not least, the rooftop Glass restaurant, which plays host to Martin Berasategui's  monthly "Yummy Sunday" brunch extravaganza. 

For the history buffs among us, there is no other place in Barcelona that can compare. The ancient history of the building is on full display at this small boutique property, as exposed stone from the 12th century lingers over the immaculately renovated property. The hotel is actually a combination of two buildings, with the second dating from the 18th century. Regardless of the years, inside is a high-end hotel where service is exceptional, an awareness for eco-friendliness is paramount, and all the little details have been thought of. Location-wise, the hotel couldn't be more fascinating, as you'll find it tucked away in the alleys of the Gothic Quarter. The hotel backs up to the Cathedral and the Plaça Neri, which is famous for its church that just so happened to the favorite of Antoni Gaudí. You'll also see the buildings riddled with bullet holes and blown out chunks, remnants from the Spanish Civil War. Some rooms are more traditional, and some more contemporary, all with fantastic baths. Food is outstanding, as you would expect from Relais & Chateaux. 

Here is something truly different than anything else in Barcelona-a wine themed small boutique hotel in the elegant Eixample district that blends designer decor with practical minimalist rooms. The reception area is a kind of wine bar meets reception desk, with many Spanish wines available by the glass. Many wine related activities are offered. Rates are very reasonable and a good value. 

If you are arriving or departing on a cruise and want to be close to the port, this might be just the place for you. The hotel is right on the cruise pier, is a solid five-star property (though a bit convention like), and has some nice ocean view rooms. Please note, there is not a full spa on site. The property is located very near to the Gothic Quarter, as well as the waterfront and its seafood restaurants. We suggest the Superior Room with Seaview, or the Grand Marina Suite Seaview. Prices are generally quite reasonable.