Authentic Barcelona Hotels – Regional, Regal
Authentic Barcelona hotels – Entrance to The Mercer.
Authentic Barcelona Hotels was contributed by Barcelona Experience. If you’re headed to Spain, you’ll find this and their earlier guest post very helpful.
Barcelona is a city where combining luxury and local can be difficult. In this post, we’ll explore the intersection between regional culture and regal accommodation.
Many of the city’s grand luxury hotels are crammed together like jealous siblings trying to catch the attention of the mix of locals and tourists ambling up and down Passeig de Gracia, the Gucci- and Gaudi-laden boulevard known for its chic and architecture.
Hotels like the Arts and the W aren’t on Passeig de Gracia but are situated along the main thoroughfare connecting the busiest beaches in the city.
This touristic hustle-and-bustle can leave you wondering whether you can combine your affinity for high standards and your hunger for local flavor. We’ve come up with a few suggestions for authentic Barcelona hotels that give you local flair and a luxurious air.
Authentic Barcelona hotels -
Mercer Hotel – Gothic Quarter
Mercer Hotel is the place to stay in the Catalonian capital. The boutique property is the #1-rated hotel on TripAdvisor, a remarkable feat considering Barcelona is dealing with an influx of “cheap tourism” visitors whose stomachs would likely turn at the high rates of Mercer’s rooms.
On our list of authentic Barcelona hotels, this one will thrill any traveler looking for the perfect cocktail of luxury and local. The hotel’s back walls date to Roman times. The entrance of the hotel gives way to Carrer Lladó, a relatively peaceful neighborhood street that passes the idyllic Plaza Sant Just.
Popular local haunts like Bodega La Palma and Ginger are within a few minutes’ walk and the refreshing vermouths and craft beers at Bar Mingus will put you right in the middle of local culture.
Authentic Barcelona hotels – Bar Rien de Rein at El Palace.
El Palace Hotel – Eixample
Old-world luxury seekers, rest your weary souls. You’ll find your magnificent mecca within the swanky confines of El Palace, the oldest grand luxury hotel in Barcelona. César Ritz built the hotel in 1919, and since then celebrities the likes of Salvador Dalí have frequented the king of Barcelona old-world luxury.
El Palace is located a few blocks off Passeig de Gracia, which means you’ll have access to the popular thoroughfare while at the same time being far enough away to feel insulated from the frenetic stream of people. The hotel’s Bar Rien de Rien is home to frequent jazz nights offering a more tranquil alternative to the more popular Thursday Night Jazz sessions at Casa Fuster.
For local flavor, head to Tapas 24 where Michelin-rated Carles Abellan makes a delicious menu of tapas. Try the lentils with chorizo or “the bikini,” the Spanish version of a grilled cheese sandwich.
Head to Restaurant Casa Calvet for a more luxurious dining experience. The property is located in Casa Calvet, a Gaudí-designed residence.
Authentic Barcelona hotels – Hotel Miramar.
Hotel Miramar – Montjüic
Miramar offers you what no other hotel near the city center can offer you: Mediterranean gardens overlooking the sea and a resort-style outdoor pool surrounded by verdant trees and emerald grass. The hotel’s rear façade dates back to 1929, when it was part of a restaurant built for the city’s 1929 World Exposition.
This hillside Preferred Boutique Hotel has 75 rooms, 71 of which have balconies. Rooms on the backside of the Miramar have spectacular views of the Mediterranean and Barcelona’s bustling port. The hotel’s interior vibe is one of peace and quiet. A chain-link inverted structure hanging from the ceiling of the Miramar’s central lobby area is reminiscent of the technique Gaudi used to design La Sagrada Familia.
Martinez, a tiny restaurant located on the hotel property, is the perfect place to grab a drink or a meal. The restaurant is popular with locals, adding to the sense that you’re removed from the touristy madness of Barcelona’s metropolitan heart. Miramar is – literally – a breath of fresh air amid the lush, rolling gardens of Montjüic.
The hotel is accessible by bus or taxi and is a short walk away from Poble Sec, an up-and-coming Barcelona neighborhood.
SF 32 – Sagrada Familia Apartment
Airbnb is a widespread favorite for travelers looking for a more local lodging experience in Barcelona. You can find fully equipped, modern apartments whose nightly rates are a fraction of the cost of the luxurious and authentic Barcelona hotels described in this article.
We did a search for a few flats in Barcelona and found a delightful 2BR/2BA apartment near Sagrada Familia. The flat sleeps four, has air conditioning and heat, includes Internet and has a full kitchen. The main roads surrounding Sagrada Familia tend to be busy, but the side streets of the surrounding neighborhood are significantly less crowded.
We like the Airbnb option because its kitchen means you’ll have to head to a local market or supermarket to get your food, a trip that can be its own cultural experience. You’ll be living amid locals who welcome respectful travelers to their apartment community.
Enjoy!
Barcelona Experience is a private tour company in Barcelona offering walking tours, bike tours and driving tours of the city and in the region of Catalonia. Their itineraries focus on custom-designed schedules based on the interests and preferences of their clients. Barcelona Experience’s blog covers the luxury travel scene in Barcelona as well as local tips and hints for travelers. Click here to read more about Barcelona Experience’s private tours of the city.
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Hey Elizabeth! Thanks again for letting us write for Authentic Luxury Travel. We enjoy working with you and spreading the word about our wonderful city.