Hotel Arts Barcelona

Spain
Europe

The Experience

A haven for Barcelona's movers and visiting shakers, this hip hotel has stayed on the cutting edge despite its being taken over by the sometimes-dowdy Ritz-Carlton. Its location outside the center of town is a boon to those seeking an amenity-filled beach skyscraper hotel, and a serious drawback for others who want to be more centrally located. Still, no one complains about the fabulous views of both city and ocean.

The Rooms

Standard layouts, while not enormous, offer contemporary design and great toys, like flat-screen TVs and Bang & Olufsen sound systems, along with nine choices of pillow. Dual-sink, multijet-shower marble bathrooms offer up Acqua di Parma products and Frette robes. Still, everyone knows the corners are best, and that's especially true here. From the 19th floor up, the slickly designed executive suites offer the best views, with split-level suites really capitalizing on the ocean setting with enormous windows.

The Service

Staff have the Ritz-Carlton flagship code of service down pat, but a lot of them are younger than most. That's not always a problem. What can be a problem is that since the hotel caters to the town's visiting celeb set--Diddy, Kate Moss, Nelson Mandela--the mere mortal can feel somewhat ignored.

The Highlights

A 2006 facelift and the addition of new facilities upped the hip quotient and ushered in the Six Senses spa, which boasts amazing views of the sea (it occupies the 42nd and 43rd floors), huge treatment rooms and a beautiful sun-filled sauna. Take advantage of the beachside pool. And peruse the Spanish art--some 1,000 pieces from the famous to up-and-comers—as you stroll over to sample two-Michelin-star chef Sergei Arola's pica-pica (little dishes of local ham, cheese and seafood) and incredible Mediterranean fish dishes. This is where to finish the night as well, an airy, chic setting where fashionistas pack in for DJ nights, spinning away the Spanish nights cooled by the ocean breezes.

 

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