Hotel Arts Barcelona

Striking from the get-go, Hotel Arts Barcelona is situated along the beach right across from the massive and iconic Peix fish sculpture in a hard-to-miss 44-story glass high-rise with exposed steel beams. Originally built for the 1992 Olympics, the hotel has maintained its grand, sophisticated, and modern style in almost every nook and cranny from the restaurants to the outdoor pool to the epic 43rd-floor spa. The lobby lounge exudes class with chandeliers, marble floors, fresh flowers, and plush velvety couches, while grand hallways take on a museum-feel with an original collection of paintings and other art. Other than the price, this huge hotel has few downsides, and guests include a range of business guests, travelers, and tourists, including couples and families. 

One of the few downsides of this hotel may be its distance from local sites, though its proximity to the sea is hard to beat. The hotel is situated right along the beach in Olympic Harbor (Port Olimpic), just a few minutes walk to the beach, marina, and promenade, a seven-minute walk to the zoo, and a 13-minute walk from La Barceloneta, a little enclave of restaurants and bars near the water. The edge of Ciutat Vella (old city) is reachable in about 20 minutes on foot and La Rambla is about a 30-minute walk or 10-minute taxi ride. Several public transport options are in walking distance, making La Sagrada Familia accessible in 21 minutes. Barcelona Airport is a 15- to 20-minute drive. 

Even entry-level rooms at Hotel Arts Barcelona are massive (over 480 square feet) and amenity-packed. Refined, contemporary, and decidedly high-end, rooms feature a natural beige, brown, and cream color palette with wall-to-wall carpeting, soft upholstered furniture, and long windows that look out onto the city or sea. Rooms have huge, modern bathrooms with separate tubs and walk-in rainfall showers, upscale Bang & Olufsen audio equipment, individual climate control, Nespresso coffeemakers, generously stocked minibars, safes, flat-screen TVs, and a selection of reading material. Bathrooms are equipped with magnifying mirrors, hairdryers, bathrobes, and high-end Asprey toiletries. Wi-Fi, though, costs an extra fee.

In addition to the entry-level Deluxe Rooms and Suites, the hotel is home to 28 Penthouses, the largest of which is over 4,300 square feet and features a huge terrace and personal gym. Upgraded rooms offer more upscale decor, too, with handcrafted wood furniture and original art.

The hotel has such a huge range of luxury amenities, it's almost like a mini city in itself. There are six in-house restaurants and bars, including two Michelin-starred restaurants, alfresco dining, and big breakfast buffets (for an extra fee). The hotel's elegant spa is situated on the 43rd floor and features outdoor terraces with loungers and astounding views, steam baths, saunas, a whirlpool, and a the requisite big treatment menu. A bright, modern gym is equipped with cardio machines -- like treadmills and ellipticals with individual screens -- weight-lifting equipment, and other workout accessories. There's also an outdoor whirlpool and pool with lounge areas (including hammocks, sunbeds, and drink service), though the pool can sometimes get crowded and isn't heated. Adding to the city-in-a-city feel, guests will find clothing boutiques, a hair and beauty salon, kid-focused amenities, and a business center that almost looks like a mini Apple store on the premises. The hotel has a plethora of meeting and event rooms, which can host up to 1,000 guests. Staff are extremely attentive and offer a huge range of services, including 24-hour concierge and 24-hour room service. Wi-Fi costs an extra fee. Self- and valet-parking are also available for an extra fee.