W Barcelona

The W Barcelona stands alone, literally, like a giant sail at the edge of the sea.

The W has all the design flair you expect of the W brand, and with its location at at the end of Barcelona’s main beach offers views over the water and beach. The F&B outlets are highly recommended too.

Needless to say, if you’re a fan of the W design, then this one is for you.

This is another hotel that looks expensive at first glance, though the standard rooms at 39sqm are twice the size of some.

Be aware that the W is adjacent to a nudist beach. It was a bit of a shock to open my curtain in the morning, only to see a naked bloke walking around. Where does he keep his keys? So many questions one doesn’t wish to contemplate before the day’s first coffee…or ever.

If you like walking that’s a good thing, because the W is a bit away from things. But you can stroll along the beachfront and past the marina to get to the attractions. Give yourself half an hour to get into the old town.

If the W style does it for you, there’s not much else that comes close.

Book it here.

What’s Nearby

Metro – 1.7km

Beach – 50m

Marina Port Vell – 1km

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Hotel Arts Barcelona

I’ll admit – it’s been quite a while since I stayed at the Hotel Arts, but that’s not to say it isn’t a good hotel.

Room rates look high at first glance, but considering the rooms start at 40sqm in size, that puts the Hotel Arts pretty much in the Barcelona ballpark.

What you get here that you don’t at most Barcelona hotels is sea views, assuming you book a room facing that direction. I would – that seems to me to be the main attraction in the area. 

That said, the Hotel Arts is home to six F&B outlets – including the two-Michelin-star Enoteca Paco Pérez – so foodies may never need to actually leave the premises.

If I sound luke-warm on the Arts, it’s mainly because in my current situation I’m spoiled for ocean views, and because I like the labyrinthine streets of the old town. Arts may not be a small hotel with 483 rooms, but it delivers the service and the standards you expect at this price. 

And it has sea views too. Did I mention that?

Book it here.

What’s Nearby

Metro Barceloneta – 1.2km

El Peix d’Or Frank Gehry – 100m

Beach – 200m

Port Olímpic – 200m

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Yurbban Passage Hotel & Spa

Lobby at the Yurbban Passage Hotel, Barcelona

Okay, it’s a bit of a cheat as an El Born hotel, as the Yurbban Passage fronts onto a street that is technically in the Eixample. The passage part refers to a public passage running under the hotel that takes you into El Born though, and that’s why we’re here.

This is actually an advantage – you have the convenience of the wider Eixample streets for your arrival, while the charms of both districts are at your doorstep.

Guest room at the Yurbban Passage Hotel & Spa

Rooms are fairly compact (21sqm) until you get to the suites (42sqm), and some face the interior – by which I mean they look out at the narrow passage – so for space and light you’re looking at Junior Suites and outward-facing rooms respectively.

There’s a cute little swimming pool on the rooftop, and a pretty funky-looking restaurant too (though I haven’t eaten there…)

Book it here.

What’s Nearby

Metro Urquinaona – 270m

Palau de la Música Catalana – 190m

Santa Caterina Market – 400m

Plaça de Catalunya – 550m

Barcelona Cathedral – 650m

History Museum Plaça del Rei – 650m

Picasso Museum – 750m

Parc de la Ciutadella – 850m

Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar – 850m

El Born Cultural Centre – 950m

Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi – 950m

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