Most Romantic Hotels in Barcelona

One of Barcelona's top-rated hotels, the 28-room Mercer Barcelona offers the intimacy of a boutique hotel and the amenities of a larger property. Add in its location -- tucked away on a charming, cobblestone street in the city's Gothic Quarter, and within walking distance to many top attractions -- and the Mercer can be a win-win for travelers. For a property with just 28 rooms, the Mercer Hotel Barcelona packs in several features that might be expected of a much larger property. Guests can eat and imbibe on the rooftop deck, in the cocktail lounge, in the tapas bistro Le Bouchon, and in Jean Luc Figueras' Mercer Restaurant JLF. There's also a terrace on the hotel's fourth floor that houses a plunge pool and offers views over the ancient rooftops of the Gothic Quarter.

This is a boutique luxury hotel with just 18 beautiful rooms. Some have extraordinary views, but all have great modern-chic style, Egyptian cotton linens, big windows, and lavish bathrooms; single rooms are a tad small, but upgrading to a double room gets you more space. With a great location just off Las Ramblas on a beautiful historic square, this hotel is within walking distance of the Gothic Quarter's many sights. A spa, rooftop terrace and pool, three brilliant restaurants, and a beautiful lobby round out this luxe property's many amenities.

A smartly designed luxury boutique hotel, the seven-floor Alma Barcelona has 72 quiet, upscale rooms with flat-panel TVs and free Wi-Fi. Unlike the nearby Claris and Majestic, the pool here is indoors, so weather will never spoil your swim. The rooftop terrace has first-rate views of the Eixample and Sagrada Familia. Style here has a starring role: design elements include fingerprint swiping instead of room keys, and architectural features such as a minimalist light-filled atrium. The Alma is a chic and serene spot for travelers who want Barcelona cool and an Eixample location a half block from Passeig de Gracia shopping.

Located on a prime piece of Las Ramblas real estate, the Hotel 1898 evokes Spain's opulent late 19th-century past with its architecture and decor. But guests get thoroughly modern pampering, with sterling service, plush rooms, a spa, and fine dining. And unlike other Las Ramblas area hotels such as Casa Camper, Hotel 1898 has not one but two pools: an indoor pool in an atmospheric grotto and a rooftop pool with panoramic Barcelona views. The property is the perfect pick for travelers willing to spend more for historic style and upscale comfort in a location right on the bustling Las Ramblas, near Passeig de Gracia shopping.

The Palace oozes elegance and Old World charm. Housed in an early 20th-century building a few blocks from the Gothic Quarter, the hotel is popular among well-heeled families, couples, and business travelers. The property boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant, Caelis; car service to the airport and major attractions; and a small but modern fitness center. The exclusive spa features the only Temazcal sauna in Spain, Anne Semonin products, and traditional Maya treatments. Classic, elegant rooms have upholstered walls, plush beds, and modern bathrooms with separate showers and tubs. Some even have Roman bath-style tubs. Updated in-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, DVD players, and free Wi-Fi.

This exclusive 15-room luxury boutique hotel embodies contemporary style at its best, fitting right in in a city that treasures design. Rooms are avant-garde, from the clean, white and beige decor, to the modern under lighting, to the remote-controlled blinds, to the Bang & Olufsen sound system. An amazing spa with Turkish baths shouldn't be missed, and the hotel's Michelin-starred on-site restaurant is a highlight. But the slightly out-of-the-way residential location is a drawback.

At the 128-room Olivia Balmes Hotel, design is king. Almost every inch of this upscale hotel exudes sleek minimalism, giving it a sophisticated, contemporary vibe. Located in the heart of Barcelona’s bustling, tree-lined Eixample neighborhood, high-end shops, trendy restaurants, and the city’s historic areas are all within walking distance. Though the views are better from the rooftop terrace at the Royal Passeig de Gracia a few blocks away, the rooftop here has a pool. Other facilities include Seventeen Restaurant, with a local, seasonal menu.

The 98-room Mandarin Oriental is one of the most luxurious and romantic hotels in Barcelona. It has a great location on Passeig de Gracia, and offers all the high-end amenities one would expect from the chain, including a rooftop dipping pool, a beautiful spa with couples treatments, and numerous restaurants (one has a Michelin star). All-white rooms are sleek and comfortable, and service is excellent.

This upscale, 22-room hotel is located in the historic Gothic Quarter and housed in two buildings, one that dates back to the 12th century. Though there's no spa or pool, the hotel is gorgeously decorated with art and modern furnishings. The rooftop garden is a highlight and contains various seating, including hammocks, positioned in a feng-shui style. Rooms are spacious and filled with simple, stunning decor, but some experience outside noise and lighting is very dim. The on-site restaurant receives good reviews and a welcome drink is a thoughtful touch. It's a great pick for tourists who want a boutique-style property that's centrally located.

With an enviable city center location and superb classical-grandeur-meets-modern-chic styling, the Grand Hotel Central certainly lives up to its name. While rooms are fresh and contemporary with excellent amenities, it's the rooftop terrace with infinity-edge pool and panoramic city vistas that really steals the show. A Michelin-starred chef at the restaurant's helm also means outstanding -- if expensive -- dining, while wellness facilities are also high-end, though pricey.

The 74-room luxury Hotel Catalonia Passeig de Gracia is located in the heart of Barcelona's posh Eixample, just down the block from Passeig de Gracia’s high-end shops and trendy boutiques. The hotel offers classically elegant, spacious rooms with luxury features such as in-room massages, and there's an excellent on-site restaurant, Les Delicies. The outdoor terrace and pool are great after long days of sightseeing, and free snacks in the evening are a nice touch, though breakfast isn't always included.

The stylish and luxurious Ohla hotel is centrally located in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. This boutique option offers 74 modern rooms with plush beds and high-tech amenities. One stand-out feature here is sexy stall showers that are located right in the middle of the rooms. The chic rooftop pool and lounge offers incredible city views along with a space to sunbathe. Dining options include Sauc Restaurant (which has a Michelin star), an inviting tapas bar, and a separate cocktail bar. This is the place for an upscale romantic getaway, and an eco-friendly one at that: Ohla Hotel contains solar panels, LEDs, and natural toiletries.

The chic, 30-room Hotel The Serras offers modern luxuries in an intimate, boutique setting that’s surrounded by one of the Gothic Quarter’s most popular areas. The rooftop terrace bar and pool have spectacular views of glitzy Port Vell, while the hotel's fine-dining restaurant overlooks the old city’s palm-lined streets. From top the bottom, the entire hotel has a sophisticated, designer touch, and its pristine guest rooms exude a sleek, spa-like serenity. Amenities include 24-hour room service, smart TVs, and Nespresso coffee machines, while bathrooms are especially upscale with large, rainfall showers. There are no spa or parking facilities, however, and rates can be double that of other luxury hotels.

The 30-room Hotel Primero Primera is a boutique in a quiet residential neighborhood. The rooms have been compared to luxury apartments by some guests, with nice extras including an honesty bar and free snacks in the lobby. A lovely, walled-in stone patio and small wading pool in the garden provide ample common space for relaxing. The hotel is located fairly far from Barcelona's center, but is in a posh residential neighborhood (nightlife is sparse). The metro is a few blocks away. Rooms are available in a variety of sizes -- some have nice balconies -- and have rain-style showers, stocked minibars, and flat-screen TVs.

The 473-room W Barcelona is a luxury property that's enviably located on Barcelona's beach, close to the port. It's a 10-minute walk to the vibrant Barceloneta neighborhood and a 20-minute walk to the nearest metro, but most guests are here for the beach -- oh, and the views. In a city of fabulous vistas, the W has some of the best, ranging from sea to city. Rooms are spacious and ultra-hip, and come with expected modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and premium bath products. Two restaurants and several bars get good reviews, as do the spa and fitness center.

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.

The 79-room H10 Montcada is a small upscale boutique located in the Gothic Quarter, across the street from the metro and the Barcelona Cathedral. Rooms are modern, spare, and stylish, with wooden floors, brown leather accents, and great amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, and tons of toiletries. But most are on the small side, and units on lower floors may experience traffic noise and vibrations from the metro. The restaurant serves a varied breakfast buffet in a homey room (for a fee) and the lobby bar has a speakeasy-meets-travel theme that is charming and elegant. The highlight, however, is the beautiful seasonal rooftop terrace, complete with a whirlpool, padded loungers, a bar, and 360-degree views.

The 64-room Hotel Praktik Vinoteca is a mid-range boutique hotel with an extra-special quirk: a thorough, yet tasteful, wine theme. The sharp interiors include plenty of well-aged wood, cork, and over 900 display bottles that create a polished, bohemian look throughout the hotel. Rooms are compact, but contemporary, with urban-chic details and modern features like air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs. The hotel's Eixample location means restaurants and bars are all around, while Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas are only a 10-minute walk away. Wine tastings attract locals as well as guests, and the terrace is a lovely place to hang out.

In a city packed with hip and trendy boutique hotels, Hotel Brummell still manages to stand out. There are 20 guest rooms at this three-pearl property in Barcelona’s up-and-coming Poble Sec neighborhood. It’s a spot for tourists wanting to experience a more local vibe, the bohemian El Raval neighborhood and Las Ramblas are a 10- to 15-minute walk from the hotel. Excellent features include a swimming pool, sauna, sundeck, indoor courtyard, and top-class restaurant. There’s also a quirky shop, bikes for hire, and free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is available, although not included in the room rate. Rooms are stylish and have air-conditioning, sharp bathrooms, and flat-screen TVs.

The three-pearl Yurbban Trafalgar Hotel is a modern and stylish boutique hotel that opened in 2014 in the quiet El Born neighborhood, within a brief walk of many attractions in the Gothic Quarter and the Urquinaona subway station. Its 56 rooms are clean and quiet with a minimalist decor and 40-inch smart TVs. The walk-in, rainfall showers are exceptionally nice, but some rooms are tiny and dark. Notable amenities include a restaurant, free Wi-Fi and laundry facilities, and a lovely rooftop bar and pool with spectacular views. The hotel also hosts a nightly wine and cheese reception. Rates are competitive for a modern hotel in a good location.