
Barcelona’s beauty is all around, in the architecture, the surroundings, on the streets, in the restaurants and bars, and in the atmosphere. And our Gurus think the best way to experience this city’s beauty is to spend as much time appreciating it as you can, which is why a number of them agree that one must have a hotel room with a balcony when staying in Barcelona. They've scoured the city to find the best rooms with either a balcony or terrace, and their final recommendations include five star hotels in the centre of town, family friendly stays with leafy outdoor areas and boutique properties with top notch design details. For a room with a view and a little slice of outdoor space, use our guide and start planning your next city break.
For the Album

- The Mandarin Oriental Barcelona is supposed to have everything, and it probably does: stylish high design furnishings, and beautiful accents; a rooftop dipping pool; a spa with eight treatment rooms, a lap pool and a hammam; a fantastic Michelin-starred restaurant, and a less formal restaurant and bar. Converted from a bank building on the Passeig de Gracia, the interiors have been made over to create an impact, while still feeling super comfortable. And there’s plenty of choice when it comes to rooms with a private terrace and balcony, whether you want to face the bustling street or the more tranquil hotel garden at the rear.
For the Views

- The Hotel 1898 is another hotel occupying a gorgeous 19th century building just off Las Ramblas. You can see the beauty of the original design in the scale of the rooms, and the current decor complements it perfectly, from the grand lobby, to the huge suites. The design has a colonial feel, with simple shapes and unfussy patterns. The pool is indoor, in the building’s warehouse, there’s a spa, and an incredible roof terrace with 360 degrees worth of views. The bar and restaurant on the terrace serves tapas and cocktails. For your own private terrace book either a Deluxe Room or the Coionial Suite
- The Almanac Barcelona is in a fantastic spot, and has a fantastic roof terrace pool and cocktail bar. The Almanac’s elegant exterior is part Barcelona nostalgia, part contemporary style, and there’s a similarly pleasing blend inside, with classical, luxurious feeling materials beautifully presented in contemporary shapes. There are 121 rooms and suites, and the suites are the ones to go for if you’d like a private balcony or terrace.
To Spoil Yourself

- Between Vila de Gracia and Eixample, close to the fanciest boutiques, The One is a 114 room hotel, with timelessly stylish design and a fabulous rooftop bar and pool. Expect original artworks, royal blue velvet accents and a pale neutral colour scheme. The substantial spa has an impressive menu, as does the restaurant and cocktail bar. Book a Grand Deluxe Terrace rooom or one of the suites for your own outdoor space.
- ABaC Restaurant and Hotel is a stylishly contemporary hotel and spa, with a restaurant boasting three Michelin-stars. It's the perfect fodder for the ‘spoiling yourself’ experience, and located north of Barcelona’s city centre, so an escape from the hubbub too. There are just 15 rooms and suites, all squared off and generously proportioned, with floor-to-ceiling windows and unfussy decor in pale neutrals. Not all of the rooms have private terraces, but the ones that do make the most of them, with lush views, plenty of space, and the odd hot tub.
For a Central Spot

- Moments from Placa de Catalunya and La Rambla, the H10 Metropolitan is an 85 room stunningly renovated historic building. The new decor does contemporary Modernist with flair, in generously proportioned rooms and suites, and grand public spaces. The roof terrace has an incredible view, and a cocktail bar, and there’s a larger pool and bar too, plus a sophisticated restaurant. The Deluxe Rooms and Grand Deluxe Rooms come with either a private balcony or terrace.
- Chic and centrally located, the Midmost Hotel is a four-star pick, with simple style and a white and navy colour scheme. Not all of the 56 rooms and suites come with a balcony or terrace or patio, but it’s certainly worth the upgrade! The hotel’s roof terrace, with its plunge pool, bar and incredible views, is a wonderful place for sundowners. There’s no restaurant, but guests are surrounded by places to dine, and they have a breakfast buffet to sort out your mornings.
For a City Break

- The Hotel DO Placa Reial is a totally charming Neo-classical built hotel with an elegant many-balconied facade that opens onto a a beautiful square and gardens. Most balconies have romantic views, and some rooms private terraces with plunge pools. inside are just 18 rooms, all individually laid out and decorated, but using an understated palette that makes more of the chic design pieces and contemporary art.
For the Design

- The Hotel Espana occupies a beautiful Modernist building, but has a seriously contemporary edge: think wood-clad walls and a minimalist chic in the 78 rooms and suites — which references both Japan and the Nordic countries — and state-of-the-art technology. The communal areas are super stylish too, but here more of the building’s original features remain. The Boutique Rooms, Terrace Rooms and Suites all have private outdoor space with a view. The restaurant is run by a Michelin-starred chef, and there’s a gorgeous pool and hot tub too.
- In Modernist Eixample, the Ohla Eixample is a good choice for foodies (its seafood restaurant has a Michelin star) as well as for architecture buffs. The stylish, neutral decor has plenty of design pieces to add interest, and all Superior Suites, Suites, Junior Suites and the Penthouse come with a private terrace. Yoga and pilates are on offer; there’s a gym too, and a choice of pools, including a heated inviting pool on the roof.
- The Mirror Barcelona is a hotel so contemporary to be almost futuristic, with shiny white flooring, lots of mirror and glass, and elegant padded room dividers. The majority of rooms have private balconies or terraces, though the best city views are found on the ninth floor.
For Historic Barcelona

- We Boutique Hotel is a six room hotel close to the Arc de Triomf, in the historic part of town. If you love the look and feel of Barcelona’s architecture, with the Modernist edge and romantic feel, then this is certainly a hotel to consider. The building was built in the 1900s, and each of the six rooms has French windows opening onto a small balcony, perfect for two. If there are more of you opt for a Junior Suite, which sleeps four. There’s no restaurant, but they offer breakfast.
For Families

- The Hotel Pulitzer is large, stylish, and extremely central, moments from La Rambla and the Placa de Catalunya. Almost all of its 439 rooms and suites have a private terrace or balcony, and the vast majority have floor to ceiling windows, or French windows, flooding the monochrome rooms with light. The decor has a Modernist edge, with contemporary art and square edges. The best outdoor space in the hotel is the gorgeous roof terrace, but there’s also a charming courtyard. And the Mediterranean restaurant occupies a chic greenhouse complete with wonderful foliage. Families will appreciated the kids club, and baby sitting options!
- Primero Primera is a 30 room boutique hotel in the upmarket, residential Tres Torres area — owned by a family who occupy the first floor. All of the rooms have been individually decorated, but there’s a theme of parquet floors, crisp, white linen, and an eclectic mix of furnishings. Some rooms would suit a family, and some have private terraces or balconies. You can self-cater, but there’s a restaurant onsite.
- The Gran Hotel La Florida is an urban resort overlooking Barcelona and the ocean from its position on Tribidabo Hill in the Parc Natural de la Serra de Collserola. There are 66 rooms and suites in the resort, plus terraces housing bars and restaurants, a L’Occitane spa, and a 100 foot indoor/outdoor pool with panoramic views. There’s a great range or room sizes and shapes, including some excellent family options, and they have kids’ menus and activities, and babysitting on request. One of the family rooms has a private terrace with sun loungers, table and chairs!
For Romantics

- The Hotel Miramar is a five star pick just outside the city of Barcelona, with Art-Deco decor and a leafy terrace overlooking the ocean. Most of the 75 rooms and suites have floor to ceiling windows, and free-standing baths, and all but the entry level rooms have a private balcony. There’s a charming garden, plus a bar by the pool, a Lobby Bar, and the restaurant, Studio Miramar.
For Fun

- Perfectly located close to La Rambla and the Placa de Catalunya, Room Mate Pau is a playful pick — think contemporary design with colourful striped carpets and white furnishings in fun shapes. The hotel has 66 rooms and suites, the best with private terraces and hot tubs with a view. There’s no restaurant, but you’re surrounded by places to eat, drink and dance, and they offer a buffet breakfast until noon.
For Great Value

- The Hotel Market is in one of those elegant Neo-classical buildings, with the long rectangular facade that allows for many, many small balconies, so even the most modest rooms amongst the 68 rooms and suites have a place to sit outside. The larger suites have impressive terraces. As well as plenty of light being let in via the French doors, the rooms have contemporary, monochrome decor. The location is slightly off centre, in Sant Antoni, but it’s close to the Boqueria and the Museum of Contemporary Art, and it’s a great spot for markets and eating out, though there’s a buzzy Mediterranean restaurant onsite.
- Chic & Basic Born is a magnificent 18th century mansion in super-central Born, turned up-to-date hotel, complete with adjustable mood lighting, a gym, satellite and cable TV, and bike hire. Not all of the 31 rooms have a balcony, you need to upgrade to the Superior or Deluxe level, but at this level the rooms are spacious, white and minimal, with the mansion’s original features as accents.
Still not sure where to book?