Barcelona hotels

Where to stay in Barcelona

Barcelona’s hotels are relatively inexpensive for a big European city. Some guidebooks may disagree with this statement, because the city was dirt-cheap until the 1992 Olympics.

Now Barcelona hotel costs are merely on the low end of moderate (and staying there, due in large part to the ongoing effects of the 2008 economic crash, which hit Spain particularly hard).

The only real concern in Barcelona is safety. No, it's not really a dangerous town, but pickpockets and other thieves do work the night a bit more brazenly here, especially down near the port.

Also note that hotels are not always the best option. Barcelona is also full of B&Bs, short-term apartments, and hostels all of which can offer a more intersting experience and while at the same time cost less than a hotel.

That said, here are my top 20 picks for Barcelona hotels in all price ranges.

Barcelona hotels

  • € [>€50]
  • €€ [€50–€100]
  • €€€ [€100–€150]
  • €€€€ [€150–€250]
  • €€€€€ [€250+]

Super-cheap hotels in Barcelona

A room at the Hotel Chic & Basic: Zoo, BarcelonaHotel Chic & Basic: Zoo ★★ [€–€€] - The name says it all, really. This amazingly inexpensive (from €48—or €59 with a park view) hotel overlooking Ciutadella Park in trendy El Born district is both chic—with designer lines and lots of light from tall windows—and basic—with only the amenties you truly need (A/C, TV, free WiFi)... » more

A room at the Hotel Ciudadela, BarcelonaHotel La Ciudadela [€–€€] - This hotel is a phenomenal value in a great location—17 simple, homey rooms above a family-run restaurant overlooking Ciutadella Park. It has the amenities that truly count—A/C, digital TV, free WiFi—and rates your wallet will love: double rooms start at €45, or €50 for a park view... » more

A room at the Hotel Paral-lel, BarcelonaHotel Paral-lel [€–€€] - The rooms at this mid-sized hotel in the up-and-coming Poble Sec neighborhood at the foot of Montuïc Hill are functional but elegant, with lots of simple white, black and wood tones and narrow lines defining the modular units. The real reason to recommend it: Those rooms start at just €48 (if you opt out of the €11 breakfast). Rooms on the main street (Paral-lel) do get some traffic noise, so avoid those if you're a light sleeper... » more

Inexpensive hotels in Barcelona

A room at the Hotel Catalonia Portal de l'Angel, BarcelonaHotel Catalonia Portal de l'Angel ★★ [€€–€€€] - Rooms in this stately 1886 neoclassical mansion are done in a very modern, designer style—all horizontal lines done in velvety or leather shades of charcoal and wood tones. Some rooms face the courtyard with its pool (and have larger balconies); others the street. Just avoid adding breakfast onto your room rate; it'll save you €19 per person... » more

A room at the Hotel Granvia, BarcelonaHotel Granvía ★★ [€€–€€€] - Frankly, it's hard to find €75 rooms with such a prime location (at the southern end of the chic shopping district of Eixample, just a few blocks from the start of La Rambla) and refined, contemporary decor beyond the 19th century grandeur of the public areas. Rooms overlooking the Gran Via itself has small balustraded balconies, but the street noise might annoy light sleepers... » more

A room at the Hotel Astoria, BarcelonaHotel Astoria [€€–€€€€] - Behind an Art-Deco facade and common areas with high ceilings lies a midrange hotel offering good service and very well-kept rooms. "Superior" rooms are what other hotels would call a juinior suite: a tad larger, with a seperate sitting area. "Deluxe" rooms add on a small private terrace overlooking Carrer de Paris. All rooms come with flatscreen LCD TVs and free WiFi. The bar terrace has a small outdoor pool... » more

A room at the Hotel Rialto, BarcelonaHotel Rialto [€€–€€€] - The three-star Hotel Rialto’s modernized rooms have a touch of class, and at these prices (doubles from €65), the location bang in the heart of the old city's Barri Gotíc is hard to beat: around the corner from the cathedral and halfway between La Rambla and the Picasso Museum... » more

A room at the Hotel Cortes, BarcelonaHotel Cortes [€€] - The two-star Cortes has small, comfortable, functional bedrooms, about half of which face a quiet courtyard. The location, a mere block from Plaça de Catalunya, just off La Rambla, is fantastic, especially with these amenities (A/C, free WiFi) at these cheap rates (doubles start around €72). With its triple and quads, it's a good choice for familes as well... » more

A room at the Hotel Regencia Colon, BarcelonaHotel Regencia Colón [€€] - Just a few steps from the cathedral on the edge of the Barri Gòtic, the three-star Regencia Colón is one of Barcelona’s great central values. Rooms are plenty large and comfy, if a bit dowdy and bland—the great price and great location are the reasons you are booking this hotel, not the decor... » more

Moderate hotels in Barcelona

A room at the Hotel Montecarlo, BarcelonaHotel Montecarlo ★★ [€€€–€€€€] - This is my choice for a (relatively) frugual four-star hotel in the heart of the action. Although the rooms are functionally modern, the public areas still have the chandeliers, fireplaces, and carved doors that hearken back to the private mansion it was 130 years ago. "Superior" rooms are slightly longer, with a small table and chairs. "Deluxe" rooms are larger still and overlook La Rambla... » more

A room at the Hotel Condes de Barcelona, BarcelonaHotel Condes de Barcelona ★★ [€€€–€€€€]- This late-19th-century villa is one of Barcelona’s finest old-world hotels, set on Barcelona’s architectural wonderland of Modernisme buildings on the Passeig de Gràcia. Thee hotel is a mix of high-tech and traditional opulence. "Classic" rooms are in the original villa, a few with baclonies, while the flashier, slighty more expensive "Design" rooms (which look the name) are in the new Edificio Center wing. Fot the best Passeo de Gracia views, book a "Condal" room... » more

A room at the Hotel Colón BarcelonaHotel Colón ★★ [€€€–€€€€] - Some rooms at this stylish, Neoclassical hotel in Barcelona's Barri Gotic have a view of the cathedral facade directly across the square. Luckily, you can get that both with a "standard" room or with a larger, pricier "Superior" room—though not all rooms have the view, so be sure to specify. Some "Superior" rooms even come with a private terrace.... » more

A room at the Hotel Catalonia Portal de l'Angel, BarcelonaHotel Catalonia Portal de l'Angel ★★ [€€–€€€] - Rooms in this stately 1886 neoclassical mansion are done in a very modern, designer style—all horizontal lines done in velvety or leather shades of charcoal and wood tones. Some rooms face the courtyard with its pool (and have larger balconies); others the street. Just avoid adding breakfast onto your room rate; it'll save you €19 per person... » more

A room at the Hotel Catalonia Plaza Catalunya, BarcelonaHotel Catalonia Plaza Catalunya ★★ [€€€–€€€€] - This four-star hotel just off the central Plaça Catalunya at the edge of Barcelona's Old City may have been built in 1899, but most of the room decor (especially in the newer tower annex) is modern. Public areas, though, retain the Modernisme touch of architect Emilio Sala i Cortes. There is a small pool on an outdoor terrace of the bar, and free WiFi... » more

A room at the Hotel Granvia, BarcelonaHotel Granvía ★★ [€€–€€€] - Frankly, it's hard to find €75 rooms with such a prime location (at the southern end of the chic shopping district of Eixample, just a few blocks from the start of La Rambla) and refined, contemporary decor beyond the 19th century grandeur of the public areas. Rooms overlooking the Gran Via itself has small balustraded balconies, but the street noise might annoy light sleepers... » more

A room at the Hotel Astoria, BarcelonaHotel Astoria [€€–€€€€] - Behind an Art-Deco facade and common areas with high ceilings lies a midrange hotel offering good service and very well-kept rooms. "Superior" rooms are what other hotels would call a juinior suite: a tad larger, with a seperate sitting area. "Deluxe" rooms add on a small private terrace overlooking Carrer de Paris. All rooms come with flatscreen LCD TVs and free WiFi. The bar terrace has a small outdoor pool... » more

A room at the Hotel Meson Castilla, BarcelonaHotel Husa Mesón Castilla [€€€] - Mesón Castilla has a perfect location near Las Ramblas and is on the border between the New and Old Cities. It is a clean, budget, two-star hotel—delightfully frumpy and packed with all the essential amenities (including free WiFi) and a huge breakfast buffet. Rooms are reliably comfortable, with interesting, ornate painted headboards. Request one of the rooms with a large terrace... » more

Premier hotels in Barcelona

A room at the Hotel Colón BarcelonaHotel Colón ★★ [€€€–€€€€] - Some rooms at this stylish, Neoclassical hotel in Barcelona's Barri Gotic have a view of the cathedral facade directly across the square. Luckily, you can get that both with a "standard" room or with a larger, pricier "Superior" room—though not all rooms have the view, so be sure to specify. Some "Superior" rooms even come with a private terrace.... » more

A room at the Hotel Casa Fuster, BarcelonaHotel Casa Fuster G.L Monumento ★★ [€€€€–€€€€€] - Here's your chance to stay in a genuine jewel of Moderisme Art Nouveau architecture, a luxury hotel installed in a 1908 building designed by Lluís Domenech i Montaner, making this a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Swanning at the head of the chichi Passeig de Gracia, it's also a five-star hotel, with plus furnishings, a jazz club, and a roof terrace with a small pool. Room categories relate mainly to size, but also view—for a room overlooking the Passeig de Gracia, you have to book a "Deluxe" category room or above... » more

A room at the Hotel Le Meridien Barcelona, BarcelonaHotel Le Meridien Barcelona ★★ [€€€€–€€€€€] - This Modernisme structure is one of Barcelona’s top hotels, a thoroughly contemporary four-star affair spilling over with amenities, such as heated bathroom floors and an in-house spa. (WiFi is free in public areas, but comes at a frankly steep fee in the rooms.) The location is superb, but even the double glazing can’t keep out all the noise of La Rambla below. You don’t often get such posh comfort so (relatively) cheap.... » more

A room at the Hotel Montecarlo, BarcelonaHotel Montecarlo ★★ [€€€–€€€€] - This is my choice for a (relatively) frugual four-star hotel in the heart of the action. Although the rooms are functionally modern, the public areas still have the chandeliers, fireplaces, and carved doors that hearken back to the private mansion it was 130 years ago. "Superior" rooms are slightly longer, with a small table and chairs. "Deluxe" rooms are larger still and overlook La Rambla... » more

A room at the Hotel Condes de Barcelona, BarcelonaHotel Condes de Barcelona ★★ [€€€–€€€€]- This late-19th-century villa is one of Barcelona’s finest old-world hotels, set on Barcelona’s architectural wonderland of Modernisme buildings on the Passeig de Gràcia. Thee hotel is a mix of high-tech and traditional opulence. "Classic" rooms are in the original villa, a few with baclonies, while the flashier, slighty more expensive "Design" rooms (which look the name) are in the new Edificio Center wing. Fot the best Passeo de Gracia views, book a "Condal" room... » more

A room at the Hotel Catalonia Plaza Catalunya, BarcelonaHotel Catalonia Plaza Catalunya ★★ [€€€–€€€€] - This four-star hotel just off the central Plaça Catalunya at the edge of Barcelona's Old City may have been built in 1899, but most of the room decor (especially in the newer tower annex) is modern. Public areas, though, retain the Modernisme touch of architect Emilio Sala i Cortes. There is a small pool on an outdoor terrace of the bar, and free WiFi... » more

Splurge hotels in Barcelona

A room at the Hotel El Palauet Living, BarcelonaHotel El Palauet Living Barcelona ★★★ [€€€€€] - If you want to know what is would be like to own a Modernisme apartment in the highest rent district of Barcelona (and could probably afford to buy one yourself), book one of the six suites at this über-deluxe little inn. From the stone balustrades of your private balconies overlooking Barcelona's chic shopping bouelvard (in suites on the front), to views of Tibidabo Mountain through your 180-degree, floor-to-ceiling windows decorated with Art Nouveau stained glass flowers (suites on the back), each of these mini-apartments—with their mod designer furnishings and Egyptian cotton sheets—is spectacular... » more

A room at the Mercer Hotel BarcelonaMercer Hotel ★★★ [€€€€€] - Some of the exposed stone walls in this luxury hotel actually date back to the Roman era. It's historical touches like that—and the heavy wooden beams on some celings—that nicely help set off the modern funishings and designer appointments of this five-star hotel in Barcelona's Barri Gotic old city. Add a new restaurant helmed (as of Sept 2013) by Michelin-starred Franco-Catalan chef Jean Luc Figueras, and the Mercer is suddenly a contender for top hotel in town... » more

A room at the Hotel ALMA, BarcelonaHotel ALMA ★★★ [€€€€€] - This hotel aims at the fashionable executive set, just steps from the high-end boutiques and fashionable shops of Passeig de Gracia. From the rooftop terraces you can see tourists wandering amid the swirly cermaic-chip chimneys of Gaudí's La Pedrera a block to the north, and to the east rise the spires of Sagrada Familia Basilica. The rooms are elegantly minimalist and so mod they have fingerprint room entry. In nice weather, you can take breakfast at a table shaded by a wide sail of fabric in the gravelly, plant-filled courtyard garden... » more

A room at the Hotel Casa Fuster, BarcelonaHotel Casa Fuster G.L Monumento ★★ [€€€€–€€€€€] - Here's your chance to stay in a genuine jewel of Moderisme Art Nouveau architecture, a luxury hotel installed in a 1908 building designed by Lluís Domenech i Montaner, making this a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Swanning at the head of the chichi Passeig de Gracia, it's also a five-star hotel, with plus furnishings, a jazz club, and a roof terrace with a small pool. Room categories relate mainly to size, but also view—for a room overlooking the Passeig de Gracia, you have to book a "Deluxe" category room or above... » more

A room at the Hotel DO Plaça Reial, BarcelonaHotel DO Plaça Reial ★★ [€€€€–€€€€€] - This Barcelona boutique gastro-hotel consists of just 18 elegant rooms in a 19th century building overlooking the Gaudí fountain in Plaça Reial square—just off La Rambla and bang in the center of the Barri Gotíc. They really put an empahsis on the food here, with three dining rooms (and free minibars)... » more

A room at the Hotel Le Meridien Barcelona, BarcelonaHotel Le Meridien Barcelona ★★ [€€€€–€€€€€] - This Modernisme structure is one of Barcelona’s top hotels, a thoroughly contemporary four-star affair spilling over with amenities, such as heated bathroom floors and an in-house spa. (WiFi is free in public areas, but comes at a frankly steep fee in the rooms.) The location is superb, but even the double glazing can’t keep out all the noise of La Rambla below. You don’t often get such posh comfort so (relatively) cheap.... » more

Tips & Links

Useful Catalan lodging phrases
single room una habitació individual (OO-nah ah-bee-ta-thee-YOH in-dee-vee-doo-YAHL)
double room with two beds una habitació doble amb dos llits (OO-nah ah-bee-ta-thee-YOH DOH-blay ahm dohs YEETS)
double room with one bed una habitación doble amb un llit de matrimoni (OO-nah ah-bee-ta-thee-YOH DOH-blay ahm oon yeet mah-tree-MOAN-ee)
for one night per una nit (pair OO-nah neet)
for two nights per dues nits (pair DOO-yehs neets)
with bath / without bath amb bany (ahm BAH-nyuh) / sense bany (SEN-say BAH-nyuh)
Is breakfast included? s'inclou esmorzar? (seen-CLUE ess-MOHR-zar)
May I see the room? Puc veure l'habitació? (pook bay-YOUR lah-bee-ta-thee-YOH)
   
Thank you Gràcies (GRAH-see-yuhs)
Please Sisplau (sees-PLOW)
Yes (see)
No No (no)
One Un/una (oon / OO-bah)
Two dos/dues (dohs / DOO-ways)
Do you speak English? Parles anglès? (PAR-lus un-GLAYS)
I don't understand No l'entenc (noh LEN-tenk)

 

» more

How long should I spend in Barcelona?

If you're just passing through, I'd give Barcelona at least two full days.

It is a lovely place to relax, however, so you might be happier spending 3-4 days.

» Barcelona itineraries

The star ratings

While every hotel on this site deserves to be here, some are more deserving than others.

The red stars ( to ★★★) next to a hotel's name do not indicate the official, local ranking of the hotel, which can be from modest 1-star to luxurious 5-star and is based largely on a laundry list of (often pointless) in-room amenities and (often uneccessary) hotel services.

(I do try to include a mention of that official rating designation in the description of each hotel, since it affects the city tax you'll pay; see the tip below).

Rather, the red stars on this site are my own subjective indication of how great a particular hotel is. This is based party on location (proximity to the sights and neighborhoods you came to see is high on my list of hotel "amenities," so anything near Plaça de Catalunya or on La Rambla or Passeig de Gracia pretty much gets a star for location alone) but mostly on such intangibles as its overall value, sense of style, friendliness, etc.

So a fabulous, quirky, friendly, cheap hotel with a Modernisme touch right in the heart of the action that's (officially) rated as a "one-star" might actually get a ★★★ here (my equivalent of a standing ovation), while a fairly bland yet nevertheless decently-priced and well-located chain property that offically ranks four stars might only rate in my book.

Hotels with no stars? They're still perfectly good options—and still recommended; they just don't stand out as much.

The price ranges

The to €€€€€ price ranges indicate roughly how much you could expect to pay for a double room for one night.

Keep in mind that rates can vary wildly with the season and with room types, which is why you'll sometimes see a range, such as €€–€€€. (I try to stick to the rates for standard rooms only, but some hotels have upwards of eight room categories; teasing them apart gets tricky.)

The ranges are as follows:

€ : less than €50
€€ : €50–€100
€€€ : €100–€150
€€€€ : €150–€250
€€€€€ : more than €250
Hotel taxes in Barcelona

There are two taxes which can be charged on hotel stays in Barcelona.

Spain's VAT tax of 10%, which is usually folded into the rates (though always ask, since—especially at expensive hotels—it is often left off).

City hotel tax, which was introduced in late 2012 and is on a per person, per night basis, rising with the hotel's star category rating:

  • €0.72 for three-star hotels
  • €1.21 for four-star hotels
  • €2.48 for five-star hotels

(Note: Kids under 16 do not pay this new city tax, and it is charged only for the first seven nights—though, frankly, if you are staying for more than a week, you really should rent an apartment; it will be far cheaper.)

Useful links & resources

SIGHTS

Barcelona tourist info: Barcelonaturisme.com (info office), Guiadelocio.com (events mag); Catalunya.com (regional info), Spain.info

Sightseeing passes: Barcelona Card (20+ sights; transport; discounts), Museum Pass (6 sights)

Tours & activities: Viator.com, ContextTravel.com, UrbanAdventures.com, City-Discovery.com, Intrepidtravel.com, Gadventures.com

LODGING

Hotels: Booking.com, Venere.com, Priceline.comPartner, Hotels.com

B&Bs: Booking.com, Bedandbreakfast.com, Airbnb.com, Venere.com

Apartments: Rentalo.com, Vrbo.com, Booking.com, Airbnb.com, Interhomeusa.com, Homeaway.comhomeaway

Hostels & campgrounds: Hostelbookers.com, Hostelworld.com, Hostelz.com, Booking.com

TRANSPORT

Airfares:



Airports: Aena.es

Trains: Raileurope.com (throughout Europe), Renfe.com (within Spain), Bahn.de (throughout Europe), Seat61.com

Public transport: Barcelona Card (free transport; sightseeing); Search all public transit: mou-te.gencat.cat; Metro/Bus: Tmb.cat; Tram: Trambcn.com; Light rail: Fgc.cat; Taxi: Taxibarcelona.cat

Car rentals: Autoeurope.com, RentalCars.com, Momondo.com, Orbitz.com, Expedia.com, Travelocity.com, Kayak.com

Barcelona tours
  • Sightseeing
  • Food & wine
  • Day-trips
  • Excursions

 

Reserve it

 

Tours Under $995 G Adventures


Related Articles


This article was by Reid Bramblett and last updated in October 2013.
All information was accurate at the time.


about | contact | faq

Copyright © 1998–2013 by Reid Bramblett. Author: Reid Bramblett.