Last updated on April 28, 2017
Perched atop the leafy Tibidabo Mountain that looms over Barcelona, Gran Hotel La Florida is a five-star urban resort that’s perfect for those in search of the high life.
Highlights include unrivalled views of Barcelona, first-class dining options and a spectacular indoor/outdoor pool. This is the epitome of luxury Mediterranean living.
The Vibe
The elegant communal areas offer a visual feast of wrought iron and dark wood contrasted with avant-garde sculptures, plush fabrics and exotic floral displays.
It was everything I hoped it would be.
The Service and Facilities
The staff are upbeat and unfailingly professional, offering a warm and inviting welcome.
Rosana and I were graciously received on a rare rainy evening in Barcelona. A member of staff parked our car for us and carried our luggage to our room while we enjoyed a guided tour of the facilities.
The Wellness Zone features a 37-metre heated indoor/outdoor pool, as well as a whirlpool, sauna and fully equipped gym.
The L’Occitane branded spa adds an indulgent touch of Provençal living, although the main draw is the huge terrace area where you can soak up the awesome panoramic views while sipping on a cocktail.
Parking is available for €21 per night (I’d suggest just using the free minibus service into the city centre and using public transport).
The Rooms
The hotel’s 70 rooms boast Catalan Modernist styling with dark oak wood and coffee cream tones. Understated elegance at its best.
We stayed in room 412, which was spacious and boasted a huge and extremely comfortable bed, as well as two small balconies providing heart-stopping views over Barcelona and the Pyrenees.
All rooms feature marble bathrooms with in-floor heating and a separate shower and bathtub, as well as all the standard features you’d expect from a luxury hotel like this: a well-stocked minibar, TV, wi-fi, toiletries, bathrobes and slippers.
The more luxurious suites are individually designed by big names like Coco Matt, Rebecca Horn and Cristina Macaya. Upgrades include large private terraces and spacious living areas, but I think the standard balconies are equally as romantic (and are considerably cheaper).
The Food & Drink
The Gran Hotel La Florida is famous for its culinary offerings and my foodie friends swooned when I told them I would be staying/eating at there. I must say, I was very impressed.
Café 1925
Café 1925 is the most informal dining space and flooded with natural light. Here you can enjoy traditional tapas like patatas bravas, Ibérico ham and Manchego cheese with ginger and honey.
The breakfast buffet is also served here. Definitely one of the best hotel breakfasts I’ve ever had. It features everything from sliced meats and cheese to fruit and freshly baked pastries. Hot dishes are also available, and a bottle of Cava is kept on ice for those who want to pep up their orange juice. Oh yes.
Restaurant Barcelonas
The more refined Restaurant Barcelonas opens for dinner at 8pm, where chef Iván Tarragó unleashes his most creative Catalan-inspired dishes. It’s modern cooking, but it’s not showy or overly fussy.
Starters include grilled foie gras with a Catalan ‘trinxat’ of Chinese cabbages, black sausage and roasted apple.
Main dishes include cod ‘cocochas’ with a mixed bean and coconut massala, and slow-cooked beef ribs with artichoke purée, purple carrots and asparagus. I enjoyed a beautifully succulent wedge of salmon with a bottle of rosé followed by a chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream.
Terrace Bar and Restaurant
When the sun’s shining, which to be fair is most of the time in Barcelona, the poolside bar is the place to be for drinks and sweeping views across Barcelona. We stayed in February and unfortunately it rained, but it was still incredibly beautiful.
If you’ve had too much sun then head to the lobby bar and sink into one of the cosy, oversized sofas with a glass of wine and your book.
The Verdict
This really is one of the most elegant hotels I’ve every stayed in. Admittedly the location won’t be ideal for everyone as it’s a good 20-minute drive out of the city centre, but there is a free minibus that will take you into Barcelona and pick you up.
You won’t find tranquility and privacy like this in the city centre, so if you are looking for a place to escape to and truly switch off from it all, this is the perfect place.
The rooms and facilities are first class, service is everything you could wish for and the dining options are worth staying in for.
I could quite easily spend a week or two here, moseying around the pool, sipping cava and reading a book. This is the high life.
Make it Happen
Double rooms from £159 (excellent value for money when you compare to other hotels in the city centre).
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Gran Hotel La Florida Barcelona review by travel blogger Ben Holbrook
