Avenida Palace Hotel is one of Barcelona’s oldest and most important hotels located in the city centre. Its sumptuous Art Deco style, refined dining options and impressive rooftop terrace (with pool) make this one of the most romantic 4-star hotels in Barcelona. Oh, and the Beatles stayed here back the day!
The Vibe & Service
The Avenida Palace Hotel has an air of opulence about it. It’s a grand and imposing property characterised by its spiralling staircases, vintage furnishings and regal blue and gold colour palette.
The hotel is located deep in the heart of Barcelona, but the staff manage to offer the personable service style you might expect to find in a rural retreat.
Many of the staff have spent their entire careers here and there’s a sense that they work together as a family.
I’ve stayed in many, many hotels and can honestly say that the staff here are among the most welcoming I’ve encountered.
The Location
Avenida Palace is located right in the centre of Barcelona, mere footsteps away from Barcelona’s famous boulevard of Passeig de Gràcia, where you’ll find Antoni Gaudí’s iconic Modernist buildings, high-end fashion stores and plenty of dining options.
Plaça de Catalunya, which is the physical centre and cultural heart of Barcelona, is a pleasant stroll away (2 or 3 minutes), which leads to Las Ramblas and the historic Old Town (Gothic Quarter, Raval, Born).
You could easily walk through the city to Barceloneta beach, though the nearest metro stop is just around the corner from the hotel, making it easy to get to Park Guell and La Sagrada Familia.
This is an ideal place to stay in Barcelona if you want to explore the city on foot.
The Facilities
The biggest jewel in Avenida Palace’s crown is its sprawling Altillo rooftop terrace, which occupies multiple levels and provides sensational panoramic views across Barcelona’s skyline and Collserola mountains.
There’s also a plunge pool and a cocktail bar, making this one of the most attractive places to be in the city.
Fast and free WiFi is available throughout the property. The hotel has a huge business centre and event spaces for weddings and private events.
The property doesn’t have a carpark (most hotels located this centrally do not have car parks) but there is a public car park nearby (€20 per day).
There isn’t a gym, which is a little surprising considering the scale of the hotel, but with the best of Barcelona literally on your doorstep you won’t have time for working out anyway!
The Rooms
Avenida Palace Hotel has 151 rooms inspired by the hotel’s dedication to “tradition, warmth and commitment”.
The standard and deluxe rooms offer plenty of space and a touch of classic style, with comfortable furnishing to make you feel at home.
We stayed in the Sagrada Familia suite, which had its own 10 metre-squared private terrace with sensational views over the city towards La Sagrada Familia. We also had a private door leading directly to the rooftop (dangerously close to the cocktail bar).
If, like, me you’re a big Beatles fan then you may want to opt for the Beatles suite, where the Fab Four when they played in Barcelona in 1965 (the only time they ever played Barcelona).
The Food & Drink
A seriously impressive breakfast buffet is served in a large dining room and offers everything you could possibly dream of for your first feast of the day – fruit and pastries to sliced meats and plenty of hot items.
One the ground floor, the Casa Llibre Bar dates back to 1925 and was once Barcelona’s most popular tearoom. Today, this chic but informal space is a welcoming space for enjoying a few drinks with Spanish tapas, sandwiches, burgers and salads.
The stunning Art Deco Beluga Restaurant offers contemporary Spanish cuisine, with beautifully presented meat and fish dishes (decent vegetarian options too, as Rosana will attest).
The wine list is impressive, as is the cocktail list. Nightly live music (we enjoyed a live flamenco show while enjoying our dinner!) adds to the overall romance of the place.
The Verdict
Personally I think this is one of the most special four-star hotels in Barcelona. It has a sense of storied history (let me just repeat: the Beatles stayed here!) and importance that newer hotels simply can’t compete with.
It’s grand and romantic, but the fantastic staff make it feel homely and inviting. The location really is ideal and the rooftop provides serious ‘wow’ factor.
Double rooms are available from around €100 and breakfast is included – fantastic value for money. Seriously.
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