Top 12 Barcelona hotels and resorts for different budgets

From sumptuous five-stars to chic boutiques, Barcelona’s diverse accommodation options reflect the dynamic nature of its tourism sector. Those on a budget and solo travellers are just as well catered for as couples, families, and those looking to splash for a special occasion; there really is something for everyone.

Hotel Arts Barcelona

Perfect for: honeymooners, foodies, families

Designed by Bruce Graham for the 1992 Olympics, this vertiginous exoskeletal tower became the Hotel Arts in 1994. It’s been a byword for luxury ever since, with rooms that overlook the city’s seafront (including 28 enormous penthouse suites), public areas dotted with artworks and sculptures by Spanish artists, and a slick double-starred restaurant (Enoteca) by Paco Perez. An indulgent upper-floor spa, two swimming pools, and the breezy Marina terrace restaurant make it an impressive all-rounder.

From $650 a night. Marina 19-21, 08005 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See hotelartsbarcelona.com

Cotton House Hotel

Perfect for: romantic couples, fashionistas, history buffs

Located inside a 19th-century cotton guild, this graceful 83-room hotel once also served as a private palace. It still feels like one, thanks to an incredibly tasteful transformation by Lazaro Rosa-Violan, who has matched creaking parquet floors, wood-panelled ceilings and a dashing spiral staircase to contemporary artworks and stylish furnishings. The cotton-inspired rooms come with frescoes, king-sized beds and Ortigia cosmetics, and there’s a gorgeous library, plant-filled dining terrace and a rooftop pool with views of the Sagrada Familia – plus an in-house tailor.

From $800 a night. Gran Vía de les Corts Catalanes 670, 08010 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See hotelcottonhouse.com

Hotel Brummell

Perfect for: solo travellers, design aficionados, digital bohemians

Situated at the foot of Montjuic, this slick design hotel packs a lot in. The ground floor hosts a friendly reception and lounge-cum-breakfast area, flowing into a lovely garden patio with plunge pool and sauna, bar and restaurant (Andalusian and Catalan dishes) out back. The ‘tropical modernism’ aesthetic blends bespoke furnishings with plants and antiques and though the 20 rooms aren’t huge (penthouse notwithstanding), they’re well-designed, comfortable and quiet. Also available: free yoga, in-room massages, bikes.

From $295 a night, Carrer Nou de la Rambla 174, 08004 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See hotelbrummell.com

Chic & Basic Born Boutique

Perfect for: flashpackers, solo travellers, the cool crowd

Chic&basic’s hotels are playful, creative and affordable. There are several dotted around the city, but this recently refurbished original in Born – set inside a grand modernist residence complete with a glamorous staircase – is one of the best. The 31 rooms have high ceilings, glass showers and an all-white aesthetic; enhanced by strategically placed mirrors, they feel cutely futuristic. Singles are tiny but comfortable; larger rooms have spacious balconies. Reception next door doubles as a bar and serves tapas ’til midnight.

From $245 a night. Calle de la Princesa 50, 08003 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See chicandbasic.com

Hotel Seventy

Perfect for: digital nomads, style aficionados, jet-setters

A dramatically spacious and light-filled lobby filled with vertiginous bookshelves, large-scale artworks and co-working areas sets the upbeat, contemporary tone at this vibrant hotel. The style continues throughout the 152 rooms, which range from small-but-cosy to regal duplex suites, all characterised by crisp white linens, design-savvy furnishings and slick monochrome bathrooms. The ground-floor cocktail bar and Mediterranean-style restaurant are welcoming, and there’s an infinity pool and sunbeds on the roof plus a vegan spa in the basement.

From $326 a night. Carrer Còrsega 344-352, 08037 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See seventybarcelona.com

Mandarin Oriental

Perfect for: splurging couples, families, shopaholics

Nestled amidst the chic boutiques of Passeig de Gracia, this stately hotel is set inside a former bank. With only 120 rooms, it’s fairly intimate but contains everything you’ll need for a five-star stay – including a two Michelin-starred restaurant (Moments), swish cocktail bar, rooftop restaurant and a comprehensive spa with an indoor pool. Interiors, by Patricia Urquiola, are effortlessly elegant, including the spacious and tastefully appointed rooms in golds, creams and turquoise hues. Families are especially welcome.

From $1032 a night. Passeig de Gràcia, 38-40, 08007 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]: See mandarinoriental.com

The Serras

Perfect for: central location, style aficionados, romantic couples

Set inside a restored modernist building where Picasso once had an atelier (workshop), The Serras occupies a prime location at the foot of the Gothic Quarter. The design-savvy rooms look over Port Vell or the Old Town and have floor-to-ceiling windows, regal Hypnos beds and small balconies; the chic bathrooms have rain showers and Dyptique L’Art du Soin cosmetics. The rooftop restaurant, Informal, is tiny but excellent and next door is a bar, pool, sunbeds and more top-notch vistas.

From $600 a night. Passeig de Colom 9, 08002 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See serrashotel.com

Nobu Hotel, Barcelona

Perfect for: Zen-lovers, foodies, train-travellers

This towering five-star, located next to the Sants railway station, is an ideal option for those arriving or leaving by train – or for anyone else, really, thanks to the gorgeously minimalist rooms (some with cedar-wood bathtubs), subterranean spa offering treatments with Kloris and Natura Bisse brands, and an exceptional Japan-meets-South-America restaurant that’s part-owned by Robert de Niro. Views from the upper floor suites are enviable but if you can’t bag one, just head to the 25th-floor rooftop pool.

From $366 a night. Avenida de Roma 2-4, 08014, Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See barcelona.nobuhotels.com

W Barcelona

Perfect for: celebrity spotters, party people, water babies

If it’s seafront chic you’re seeking, Ricardo Bofill’s sail-shaped, silver-glass W has it all. Located on a spit, the best rooms here come with jaw-dropping views of the sea, the city and/or the beach as well as elegant furnishings and seductive ambient lighting; the Extreme Wow Suite has its own DJ booth and foosball table. It’s a walk to the city but with several restaurants, a sky bar, a nightclub, two pools and an in-house spa, you don’t really need to leave.

From $572 a night. Plaça Rosa del Vents 1, Final Passeig de Joan de Borbó, 08039 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See marriott.com

Casa Bonay

Perfect for: cocktail lovers, creatives, hip couples, solo travellers

Casa Bonay, ensconced in a restored historic building on a busy street, is an oasis of calm and charm comprising several distinct offerings. There’s a tapas bar (Bodega Bonay) with natural wines and sharing plates), a specialty coffee shop, sultry cocktail lounge (Libertine) and a rooftop terrace with a chiringuito (beach bar). Rooms have restored tile floors, original fixtures and design furnishings; the Courtyard Large Terraces have terraces with outdoor showers and hammocks.

From $325 a night. Gran Via de Les Corts Catalanes 700, 08010 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See casabonay.com

El Palace Barcelona

Perfect for: Splurging couples and families, business travellers

This opulent property was once the Ritz – and it shows. The experience here is smooth and sophisticated, despite some former rock ‘n’ roll guests: Salvador Dali, Josephine Baker and Ronnie Wood all have themed suites named after them. Regular rooms are more subtle but still high-end, some with original fireplaces. The hotel’s seafood restaurant, Amar, is run by El Bulli’s former head chef Rafa Zafra, and there’s a cocktail bar, expansive rooftop garden with a 14-metre pool, plus a Mayan-themed spa.

From $759 a night. Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 668, 08010 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See hotelpalacebarcelona.com

Room Mate Anna

Perfect for: budget travellers, solo travellers, families

This vibrant four-star offers a colourful bang for some very reasonable bucks. As well as 81 cheerful, individually decorated rooms based on fictional personas – some tiny but others bigger and with terraces – it offers a rooftop area with a small circular pool, cocktail bar and sun-deck with great views. There’s a tapas restaurant downstairs and reception has smartphones with internet and free international calls for guest use. Service is especially friendly and welcoming and there are connecting rooms for families.

From $190 a night. Calle d’Aragó, 271, 08007 Barcelona. Phone: [phone]. See room-matehotels.com