It's hard to beat an afternoon spent soaking up the sun from a rooftop. Add a pool, sweeping views, and Barcelona as the destination to the equation, and you've got a siesta that's definitely worth hopping over the pond for. Here are ten of our favorite hotel rooftop pools in the City of Counts. (Didn't know that was Barcelona's nickname? Well, now you do. You're welcome.)
1. Hotel 1898
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Located on a prime piece of Las Ramblas real estate, the Hotel 1898 evokes Spain’s opulent late 19th-century past with its architecture and decor. But guests get thoroughly modern pampering, with sterling service, plush rooms, a spa, and fine dining. And unlike other Las Ramblas area hotels, Hotel 1898 has not one but two pools: an indoor pool in an atmospheric grotto and a rooftop pool with panoramic Barcelona views. The property is the perfect pick for travelers willing to spend more for historic style and upscale comfort in a location right on the bustling Las Ramblas, near Passeig de Gracia shopping.
2. Claris Hotel
A former palace, the luxurious 124-room Hotel Claris is conveniently located within walking distance to Plaza Catalunya and Paseo de Gracia. The gorgeous rooms are quiet and creative with Egyptian-inspired art objects and marble bathrooms; there are several room types including chic duplex suites. The extensive array of features includes a rooftop pool, solarium, gym, and sauna. One highlight is the glass-enclosed cocktail bar and restaurant with striking city views. There is an on-site museum and interesting works of art in every hotel corner, but there is no tea or coffee in the rooms.
3. Silken Diagonal Barcelona
The Silken Diagonal is a stylish 240-room hotel that offers good value for a four-pearl property. Located outside the heart of Barcelona, the hotel is near public transportation and Sagrada Familia is within walking distance. An attractive rooftop pool and terrace (that often gets rented out for parties) has a bar that serves food. Rooms are sleek and modern with sultry glass-enclosed bathrooms (suited for singles and couples, or friends with little modesty). While the hotel does offer free Wi-Fi, upgrading to efficient, business-level Wi-Fi costs an extra fee.
4. Melia Barcelona Sky
The Melia Barcelona Sky is one of the most stylish hotels in the city, with contemporary design and vintage-chic decor. Its 258 rooms come with top-notch amenities, such as flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, Aveda toiletries, and Nespresso coffeemakers, plus a trendy layout with a glass wall separating the bathroom from the room. Highlights of this property are the wonderful spa, the two good restaurants, the sophisticated nightclub, and the great pool and sun deck. It is located in the new business district, meaning you will have to take the subway to get to most tourist attractions, but the beach is a short walk away, and there is a lively commercial strip nearby with many restaurants and bars.
5. Ohla Hotel
The stylish and luxurious Ohla Hotel is centrally located in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. This boutique option offers 74 modern rooms with high-tech amenities and free Wi-Fi. One stand-out feature here is sexy stall showers that are located right in the middle of the rooms. The chic rooftop pool and lounge offers incredible city views along with a space to sunbathe. Dining options include Sauc Restaurant (which has a Michelin star), an inviting tapas bar, and a separate cocktail bar. This is the place for an upscale romantic getaway, and an eco-friendly one at that: Ohla Hotel contains solar panels, LEDs, and natural toiletries.
6. Hotel Catalonia Catedral
This modern 71-room hotel sits quietly on a quaint residential street in the Gothic Quarter, conveniently located near great shopping and dining as well as many tourist attractions. For guests who don’t want to walk or take public transportation, there is a car rental place conveniently located right on-site. The hotel’s decor is similar to many others in the area — minimalist and sleek, with lots of gray and white. Better than most, though, is the rooftop pool, which is large and attractive with nice lounge seating as well as comfy round chairs. There’s a good brasserie for dining, but guests can just venture outside to find multiple options for lunch and dinner. This is a solid option for anyone looking to sightsee and relax at the same time.
7. Hotel Barcelona Catedral
Hotel Barcelona Catedral is a contemporary find in the city’s Gothic Quarter, where winding streets and narrow alleys lead to distinctive Roman-style buildings. The hotel features sharp edges and clean lines, adorned in whites, tans and slate grays throughout. Cozy rooms have soft lighting, with modern lamps that cast a twisting, branch-like glow against the walls. Each room is equipped with modern amenities, and the bathrooms are clean and spacious. The hotel features a long rooftop pool and three on-site bars/restaurants. There is no spa, but there is a small fitness center. Bonus: On Sundays, the hotel offers free tours of the Quarter. Overall, it’s a good choice for both tourists wanting to explore the city, as well as business travelers — the hotel has a very nice business center and multiple meeting rooms.
8. H10 Marina Barcelona
This 235-room chain hotel is located in a quiet area just outside the city center. Decent-sized rooms are clean and modern, with contemporary decor and up-to-date amenities such as flat-screen TVs and minibars. Hotel highlights include a lovely rooftop pool with city views and a bar, a nice spa with great treatments, and a Mediterranean restaurant with a solid wine list. The Privilege Level offers wonderful perks such as free access to the spa, a free bottle of wine at the restaurant, late check-out (if available), and upgraded in-room amenities. It’s a solid pick for business and leisure travelers, but mattresses are hard and walls are thin, so light sleepers might want to stay elsewhere.
9. Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona
The 276-room Majestic Hotel & Spa has a prime location, steps from designer shops and Gaudi monuments. All rooms were renovated in 2011, giving them a fresh, modern feel. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, stocked minibars, Nespresso machines, and interesting art. Spacious marble bathrooms have Bulgari toiletries, bathrobes, and rainfall showerheads. For more luxury, the 41 suites offer views over Passeig de Gracia; some have private terraces and 24-hour personalized service. Families might want to choose apartments that also include full kitchens. Other hotel highlights include a small rooftop pool and a rooftop terrace with an atmospheric bar and great city views; a contemporary on-site spa; and a fitness center. The restaurant serves a morning breakfast buffet and evening tapas; the bar offers live piano music; and the business center has free Internet.
10. Axel Hotel Barcelona
This 105-room hotel in the heart of Barcelona bills itself as a “gay hotel” that is “hetero-friendly.” It is in the heart of the Eixample neighborhood, the city’s dynamic gay area with great restaurants and nightlife. The theme here is seduction — nude photographs adorn the walls, naked mannequins hang out in the hallways, and see-through glass bathroom walls make for little privacy in the rooms. The rooms are large here, and upgrading to a suite will get you a very nice private terrace. Amenities include a top-notch fitness center, rooftop pool and bar, and a relaxing spa. This is a good choice for couples, gay or straight, looking for a sexy atmosphere and a modern scene.
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