Located in the Gothic Quarter, near many major sights
Beautifully restored 18th-century mansion with original details intact
Spacious rooms with full kitchens and opulent
bathrooms
Full-size refrigerators come stocked with minibar items
Rooftop pool and terrace with great views
Fitness center with sauna
Concierge services for tickets to popular attractions
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Pet-friendly
Nonsmoking property (con for some)
Pool and fitness center are small
No on-site restaurant
Nespresso machine pods must be purchased
The upscale Aparthotel Arai opened in 2012 as a stylish retrofit of an 18th-century mansion in the Gothic Quarter. Filled with impressive artwork and artifacts, original marble floors and staircases, and exposed stonework and beams, the sophisticated decor combines historic features with modern design elements. The 31 rooms at this boutique property come with opulent, black-marble bathrooms and kitchenettes with full-size refrigerators stocked with minibar snacks. There is a rooftop terrace with a small pool offering terrific views, along with a small fitness center and sauna. The hotel does not have an on-site restaurant, but it will deliver a boxed breakfast of baked goods and fruit for a fee. Travelers might want to also check out the Yurbban Trafalgar Hotel, a stylish, mid-range property that opened in nearby El Born in 2014.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Quiet boutique hotel inside an 18th-century mansion with original details
This charming boutique hotel is housed in a former 18th-century mansion that was converted in 2012. It was once the home of a decorative arts
association for many years and includes an impressive facade with allegorical
figures and representations of the Danube, Nile, Ganges, and Rio de la Plata
rivers. The small lobby is equally distinctive, with its original black-and-white marble floors and stonework walls, coffered ceiling, stone columns, and
various antiques and art pieces. It’s a dark space with soft overhead lighting
that leads to the original white-marble staircase. Adjacent to the small
reception desk that's partially supported by a block of carved ancient Roman
marble is a colorful sitting area with shiny gold-leather armchairs and a red-and-gold patterned leather sofa. If there is a central gathering place at this
quiet hotel, it’s the rooftop pool and terrace that offers outstanding views of
the surrounding Gothic Quarter.
Location
Near Port Vell and many attractions in the heart of the Gothic Quarter
The Aparthotel Arai abuts Plaza George
Orwell in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, about a five-minute walk to Cathedral
Barcelona de la Seu, Las Ramblas, and Basilica de la Merce and its metro station. It’s also a five-minute walk to the Liceu Opera House and
adjacent metro station. Several restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and shops
surround the hotel, and restaurants and a grocery store are a one-minute
walk away. The trendy El Born district and the Picasso Museum are nine minutes away on
foot, and the aerobus artery at Plaça Catalunya is an 11-minute walk from the hotel. Port Vell
is a 13-minute walk, as is Barceloneta and the beach. The Sagrada Familia church is 14 minutes by
car or taxi, or 23 minutes by public transportation. The Barcelona-El Prat
Airport is around 40 minutes by public transportation or a 20-minute drive.
Rooms
Spacious rooms with historic features, modern upscale touches, and kitchenettes
The 31 rooms at Aparthotel Arai are clean and spacious, combining the original details of the 18th-century building with modern touches to create a
sophisticated decor. Some walls are exposed brick, while others are painted
light gray in a subtle pattern that resembles concrete. Exposed beams run along the ceilings. Silver-and-gold
patterned bedspreads cover white linens, and floors are dark weathered wood
planks. Brown-leather sofas provide seating, and wood armoires are fronted with patterned glass doors. The long, narrow rooms
have hallways with chic kitchenettes framed by distressed white cabinets.
Full-size refrigerators stocked with alcohol and other drinks sit next to small sinks
and counter tops with microwaves, stove tops, kettles, and Nespresso machines
(guests must buy their own Nespresso pods). The dark bathrooms
are especially opulent. Walls and floors are framed in black marble, and black-marble vanities have a raised, black metal basin. Walk-in showers have
rainfall showerheads and clear glass doors, and toilets are separated by
frosted glass. The Deluxe, Superior, and Executive Rooms range from 290 to 409 square feet (27 to 38 square meters) and have tile headboards above the king, queen, or double beds. Family Rooms, which are 344 to 409 square feet (32 to 38 square meters) have two sleeper sofas, and
top-floor Jewell Suites (592 square feet; 55 square meters) have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and
two balconies, each with whirlpool tubs. Jewell Suites also have such design elements as tiger-wood cabinets. Standard amenities include electronic safes, robes,
magnifying mirrors, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Views of the historic Gothic Quarter are impressive.
Features
Rooftop terrace with pool, fitness center with sauna, concierge services, and breakfast for a fee
This hotel’s amenities reflect its intimate, boutique stature. The star features is the small rooftop pool on
a terrace furnished with several tables and chairs and loungers. From here, guests can take in great views of the surrounding Gothic Quarter. A small fitness center in the basement includes a sauna and cardio and weight-training equipment. There is no on-site restaurant, but a boxed breakfast that includes fresh baked goods, fruit, and yogurt can be delivered for a fee. The on-site meeting room includes a
boardroom-style table and doubles as a museum that holds artifacts recovered
during the building’s conversion to a hotel. Artwork from the private
Clos Foundation’s collection is displayed throughout the hotel, along with various artifacts. The concierge can assist in securing tickets to attractions, arranging transportation, and other guest services. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are available. Pets are
welcome with a surcharge, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. Be aware that this is a nonsmoking property and there's no on-site parking. Guests seeking parking in the area will find the narrow alleys and busy streets that surround the hotel a challenge.
