Barcelona Boutique Hotels

Barcelona is the capital of 'Catalan', which in effect is its own small country found on the northeast shores of Spain and boasts its own language, culture and cuisines. It is one of the most vibrant cities in Europe with a mild year-round climate, it is a city teeming with life and loves to celebrate it has many annual celebrations, but undoubtedly you will find the most weekends are provided with some excuse for celebration.

Barcelona is blessed by having the Mediterranean at its feet where magnificent blue flag Sandy beaches are found, the seaport still greets visitors with a stoic Columbus standing on his own pedestal, however the city seamlessly molds the sophistication of Paris and New York with the exotic Catalan flare.

Barcelona is home to some of the world's most famous art and architectural works to name but a few: Picasso, Salvado Dahli and the remarkable buildings of Gaudi the architectural modern masterpieces of Gehry and Nouvel. The city is well placed as it provides easy access to the beautiful vistas of the Pyrenees and cities of Gerona and Tarragona that create a backdrop for Gothic and Romanesque monuments.

It is the second-largest city in the country and also one of the most expensive and boasts innovative inroads into fashion, architecture, style and entertainment and is one of the most important and highly energetic economic engines largely due to its strategic location. It is divided into many areas however Las Ramblas is perhaps the most remarkable and busiest central area of the city as it offers a wide selection of restaurants, shops, clubs and small bars.

The Barri Gotic area is a spectacular ancient quarter providing a wonderfully historic atmosphere and wealth of monumental buildings. It is with good reason that the city has chosen to populate itself with so many fabulously unique boutique hotels.

The boutique hotels may be found in a variety of situations from beachfront location to the heart of the city or perhaps perched on the side of the hills on the outskirts providing panoramic vistas for its guests.

Each and every boutique hotel proudly boasts distinctive architecture quite often ancient heritage buildings are employed for this specific purpose, their once grimy facades have now been sandblasted to reveal pale translucent highly detailed architectural pieces of ancient history. The interiors have provided a magnificent canvas for some of the world's most famous interior designers to ply their craft and this they have done with exceptional aplomb.

The Hotel Regina Barcelona presents a beautifully cataloged art nouveau entrance where contemporary design and elegant architecture meet. In 1925 the grand hotel started life as a glamorous luxury hotel and provided the perfect playground for wealthy Catalan families, European royalty, Barcelona football teams and Hemingway, later becoming a military hospital during the Civil War.

The hotel passed from owner to owner and was finally abandoned in 1979 and left in a deserted state until purchased by the Stein group, the boutique hotel chain, and after a $50 million restoration it opened in 2003 as the 76th room urban resort and destination restaurant. Its exterior boasts a grand statement in stone and stainless steel however once inside you'll find soothing contrasts of soft colored interiors, antique engravings of the hotel from the 1920s and 30's, abstract flower paintings by famous artists, traditional Spanish carpentry and iron grillwork.

British artist Ben Jakober and Yannick Vu have created sculptures for public areas and terraces, most spectacular is the Archimedes fountain a 17 m high stainless steel spiral water fountain found in the main courtyard. The hotel is situated 300 m above sea level on the top of Tibibado Hill finds breathtaking views of the Mediterranean in the city.

Hotel 1898 provides an oasis of calm in the center of the city the beautiful marble floored lobby also providing a bar at which guests can relax and enjoy a welcoming drink. The area offers comfortable sofas, unique gently whirring ceiling fans, whilst black and white movies, playing on vast plasma screen televisions setting the tone as a hotel that combines old world style with modern touches.

The Neri hotel and restaurant has a reputation of being one of Barcelona's best boutique hotels originally built as a private home in the 18th century the hotel oozes history and romance. Buildings of this era typically boast dramatic entrances, and here is no exception however the interior is surprising, the vibrant and modern the front lounges decorated in rich velvets of brown and red, with low lighting and dark corners, selected pieces of art introduce the 21st century into the palaces ancient stone walls and the enormous glass and metal work entryway is a masterpiece.

The accommodations provided throughout these hotels are all completely individual and many have been home to Royalty, dignitaries and famous celebrities. Needless to say attention to detail is meticulous as is the mood created to infuse the rooms with sensual glamor. Sometimes employing dramatic silk drapes, crystal chandeliers contrasting to stone floors and rough stone walls detailed with the artist pieces of rustic antique furniture. The master bedrooms housing well-dressed King size bed boasting 400 thread cotton sheets, offering pillow menus, working spaces have been provided with comfortable desks having specific lighting arrangements. The rooms flow elegantly onto private balconies and outdoor areas.

The lavish en suite bathrooms individually detailed providing opulent marble vanities, baths and walk-in power showers, complimented with bathrobes, slippers and indulgent international toiletries. These magnificent rooms seamlessly combine the ancient with the ultra modern, offering facilities such as: plasma screen TV, high speed Internet access, dual line telephone, international newspapers, hairdryer, mini-bar, air conditioning, fresh flowers, Butler service and 24 hour room service.

Barcelona boutique hotels proudly boast home to some of the finest restaurants found in the city whose celebrity chefs have not only expertly detailed and prepared creative culinary delights but have also been instrumental in designing and creating the ambiance of the restaurant to further enhance the sojourn into culinary heaven.

The international business traveler is extremely fortunate as these hotels are not only provided within their accommodations state of the art facilities allowing the executive a peaceful retreat in which to complete his work but also provide numerous venues that may accommodate: exhibitions, conferences, business launches and singular one to one high-level meetings. A private assistant is provided for the executive to oversee his diary, events and to facilitate his daily schedules.

Many of these hotels are in the envious position of owning their own signature Spa, where internationally trained therapists will administer heavenly therapeutic treatments in distinctly tranquil and relaxing surrounds, providing the perfect retreat after a busy day of sightseeing or corporate meetings.

These trendy hotels provide unique wine bars and cocktail bars, the perfect place to mingle with the chic and trendy, the great and the famous, business leaders and captains of industry will be found within these designer enclaves.

Barcelona boutique hotels are in a category all of their own, they are superlative examples of classically great boutique hotels, providing dramatic exteriors ,rich and rewarding interiors, elegant and comfortable accommodations ,signature restaurants and detailed, tailor-made service to suit the individual's needs, designed to excite and completely satisfy the most seasoned of travelers.