Barcelo Valencia

The Barcelo Valencia is a sleek, modern hotel furnished with natural materials and the odd splash of primary colors to jazz things up. The large lobby has boxy black pleather seating, huge plate-glass windows that let in natural light, and bright panels of blue, red, and yellow glass, which is certainly contemporary but a bit corporate feeling. This floor houses a bar and all-day restaurant, though they're less appealing than the roof terrace's bar and pool with stunning views over Valencia’s center and the City of Arts and Sciences complex. The hotel attracts a pretty even mix of tourists and business travelers who don't mind being outside of the city center.

Guests looking to visit the stunning City of Arts and Sciences complex are in luck, as it's a five-minute walk from the Barcelo Valencia. It's across the Jardines del Turia, a narrow strip of parkland that winds its way around the city center. A similar distance in the other direction takes guests to Parc Gulliver, a popular place for kids to run about. On the downside, however, the hotel is a half-hour walk from the city’s historic center; it's a similar journey by public transport, or a 10-minute car ride. Getting to Estacio del Nord, where intercity trains arrive and depart, takes 10 minutes by car and a half-hour on foot, while it’s a 15-minute drive to Valencia Airport, or 45 to 50 minutes by public transport.

The Barcelo Valencia’s 187 rooms are all large and bright, decorated with generic modern furniture and natural materials in primarily neutral colors. Deluxe Rooms have either a king-sized bed or two singles topped, with an ottoman at the foot, as well as a cream leather-and-steel armchair, desk, wall-mounted flatscreen TV, and canvas prints of Valencia decorating the otherwise featureless, white walls. Beds are topped with blue or brown blankets. Bathrooms are decorated in sleek gray slate, and feature rainfall shower cubicles, dual sinks, a bidet, and magnifying mirror. Junior Suites are far larger, with a separate bedroom and living room, separated by a sliding wooden screen. The bathroom is separated from the bedroom by a glass wall, meaning the shower cubicle and bathtub are visible from the bed and could cause a privacy issue. Suites are similar, but have two bedrooms. Many, but not all, of the hotel’s rooms overlook the park and the City of Arts and Sciences complex. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, safe, AC, and minibar, plus free Wi-Fi.

The Barcelo Valencia has an excellent range of amenities for business guests and tourists alike. A highlight is the rooftop terrace housing a small plunge pool and a bar with seating, and providing lovely views over Valencia and the City of Arts and Sciences. The spa offers a hydrotherapy circuit with nine different pools, treatment rooms for massages and wellness therapies, a sauna, and steam room. There's also a bright, modern gym with ample cardio and weight-training machines, and free weights. Guests generally rate the food at the all-day restaurant positively, including the breakfast buffet, and a la carte Mediterranean meals. A lobby bar is also available for drinks and snacks well into the evening. There are 12 meeting rooms for hire, the largest of which can accommodate 350 people. There is secure parking, but it comes at a steep cost, and bikes are available to rent. There's free, but spotty, Wi-Fi throughout.