Why Hotel Arts is the Crown Jewel of Barcelona’s Beachfront

Barcelona. The city of counts, and one of the true jewels of the Mediterranean. A city that draws millions of tourists from around the globe every year for its architecture, excellent food, and unique location. This gorgeous city’s Mediterranean climate, which fuels its mild winters and warm summers makes it a year-round destination, and visitors flock to iconic sites such as the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and Casa Batlló, as well as to its lively markets and incredible culinary offerings. Did we mention that there’s a massive beach right in the middle of the city?

On that very beach, towering over the shore and overlooking the Mediterranean, stands Hotel Arts, an iconic luxury hotel. Placed within walking distance of the Barceloneta neighborhood, known for its seafood restaurants and lively atmosphere, and just a short drive from the historic Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas. The hotel is also well-connected by public transport, with metro and bus stops nearby. Or why not grab one of Barcelona’s many city-bikes?

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Built during the revitalization of the harbor front leading up to and following the 1992 Olympics, this tower of blue glass and steel has defined the Barcelona skyline for over 30 years, and it is still one of the most beloved hotels in the city. The transformation of the harbor area turned what was once an industrial zone into a vibrant hub, with Hotel Arts as one of its crowning achievements. Today, the hotel is a landmark in itself.

From the moment we checked in at the club level on the hotel’s 33rd floor, with stunning views of the beach and the city, we felt right at home. The check-in process was smooth and efficient, there’s nothing like checking in with a glass of bubbly in your hands, right? We could just have stayed there, enjoying the view, the bubbles, and the five complimentary buffets that are served at the club every day. Yup, you read that right – five complimentary buffets, ranging from breakfast, through lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and dessert, making it a retreat you will want to come back to over and over again during your stay at the hotel.

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Hotel Arts Penthouses – The Pinnacle of Luxury

Alas, we had to continue going higher—to our two-bedroom top-floor penthouse suite, soaring high over the city with expansive 180-degree views. Spanning two floors and over 200m2, with a full kitchen, dining room and multiple bathrooms – the penthouses at Hotel Arts are truly the pinnacle of luxury, allowing simple guests like ourselves to live like Kings and Queens for a few days. The only downside of living this well, is that you almost don’t want to leave the hotel – and after all, Barcelona is a pretty magical city to explore.

Cocktails at P41

The hotel has more to offer. A beautiful pool deck is open during the summer months, there is a spa, boutiques and multiple restaurants on the property. We started our exploration with a stop at the P41 cocktail bar on the lobby level. The bar is an homage to classic cocktails and contemporary mixology, and they do take their libations very seriously there. We had a couple of excellent pre-dinner cocktails, and nibbled on some delicious bar-snacks. P41 is a destination of its own, as one of the best cocktail bars in a city that absolutely loves its cocktail bars.

Dining at The Pantry

We then moved to The Pantry, a not-so-secret secret restaurant tucked behind the backdoor of a small delicacy shop in the lobby gallery. The Pantry is a dim-lit space with a speakeasy vibe, seemingly built for intimate dinners and clandestine meetings, state secrets to be shared in the dark corners of the space. Our mission was less nefarious – we just wanted to eat some delicious food, and The Pantry definitely delivered. The menu takes its inspiration from the name of the restaurant – focused on very high quality pantry items from the local area, and lovely wines by the glass. You should definitely try some of the artisan made preserves like razor clams and sardines from Paco La Fuente, and scallops in vieira sauce and octopus in olive oil from La Brújula Nº.

We enjoyed an incredible ventresca tuna from Rosa La Fuente, a generous pile of table-side cut pata negra, and a selection of lovely Spanish cheeses, served family style for the whole table to pick away at. There are also some excellent seafood dishes, the seared scallops were delicious, and don’t sleep on the fabulous truffle mushroom risotto, with big flavors from the forest. This is the kind of simple but ambitious restaurant you always want to have in your hotel, but rarely get. We loved it.

With bellies full, we retreated to our penthouse once more for a nightcap and a final look at the fantastic vistas. A good night’s sleep in comfortable beds awaited.

Come morning, there is the option of going to the club for a more intimate breakfast, but we chose the larger buffet served at Lokal, on the lobby level. This buffet is quite spectacular, with choices ranging from freshly squeezed juices to an omelette station, a huge selection of pastries, breads and cold cuts – and much more. This is the perfect spot to load up on carbs and proteins before heading out to explore the city, or to take a lazy morning with a newspaper (if those still exist) and a few extra cups of coffee.

Barcelona itself is obviously a city that offers endless exploration. From the architectural marvels of Antoni Gaudí to bustling markets like La Boqueria, there’s seemingly no end to things to see and do. The beachside promenade, just steps from the hotel, is perfect for a stroll or bike ride, while nearby Port Vell features a marina and waterfront dining.

Before we had to leave our penthouse in the sky, we took in the view once more, appreciating the opportunity to stay at the Hotel Arts. The amenities, the views, the food, and a location that places Barcelona’s highlights within reach makes this hotel a truly special experience. If we’re coming back? As soon as we possibly can.

Hotel Arts
Carrer de la Marina, 19-21
Ciutat Vella
08005 Barcelona
Spain

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