Soul Seed Travel headed to Barcelona at the start of the year to discover some new luxury spa and boutique hotels. We love to share our tips on the best places to stay, have a massage, a rooftop swim and even where to get some of the best views of the Sagrada Familia.
The Almanac
Best for: Rooftop bar and pool
In the summer months Barcelona gets very hot and there aren’t too many hotels located in the heart of the city that have a pool, thankfully the Almanac situated right on the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes in the Passeig de Gracia neighbourhood has one. You’ll be glad of it to cool off after a day of sightseeing. Opened in November 2017, this new luxury spa hotel is modern, glamorous and a superb choice when it comes to choosing your next wellness hotel.
Almanac Hotels believes that every trip to one of their hotels should be a personal journey, a journey that is comprised of four components – scent, taste, light and touch.
When all combined, you can expect the unexpected and experience a unforgettable moment that unlocks the essence of what Almanac is all about. So start your day with a steam room and sauna, followed by healthy a la carte breakfast served with a fresh juice, and in the evenings post dip in the pool, you can soak up a beautiful sunset.
We stayed in a cube room and we loved the floor to ceiling windows and the street view taken in from the window sofa, and the electric black out blinds that shut out the lights and gave us a peaceful nights sleep despite the traffic below. A unique feature of the room was the complimentary mini-bar. Read reviews.
Primero Primera
Best for: A boutique urban stay
Primero Primera is a hidden gem, peacefully located in the wealthy Tres Torres district, a quiet and charming neighbourhood that is popular with fashion lovers who frequent the high class shops. You will find lots of leafy green spaces and this family ran boutique hotel is more like an urban retreat with a cute garden lit up with fairy lights in the evening. A place that feels more like being at home, there’s an impressive stack of books and magazines and cosy vintage chairs to sit it along with an honesty bar and complimentary tea and coffee to help yourself to.
Being family owned you are treated as a guest of the home. There are only 30 rooms which are all very spacious, quirky and have incredibly comfy beds. Read reviews.
The One
Best for: Drop dead gorgeous luxury
If you can afford to splash out or have a very special occasion to celebrate then the terrace suite Sagrada Familia is the number one room to book, where you can bathe and drink champagne from the outdoor jacuzzi. Located on the top floor of this luxury spa hotel, this spacious suite of between 60 and 85 m² opens up to the city thanks to a 32 m² terrace that is accessible from all its rooms and besides the jacuzzi is equipped with sun loungers, a shower and of course, incredible views of the Sagrada Família.
For the wellness enthusiasts, there’s a 24 hour gym and the Despacio spa with experience pool and Finnish sauna and massages, facials and body treatments are available. Highly recommended is the fabulous Fire & Ice facial by the iS Clinical skin care line, acclaimed as one of Hollywood’s Red Carpet treatments – which gives immediate results for all skin types.
The rooftop area and pool is exclusive for guests but the adjoining open air Mood bar is the place to be for a sunset cocktail and to socialise with the locals. Read reviews.
Carrer de Provença, 277
08037
info.hto@hotelstheone.com
+34 932 14 20 70
SOFIA
Best for: Spa and Wellness
This luxury spa hotel is huge and beautifully designed. The spa rivals any of the worlds best (and biggest) spa’s we have ever visited, a whole 1,100 m2 dedicated to wellness with swimming pool, water circuits, saunas, steam baths, salt cave, experience showers, flotation tank, relaxation room, and an extensive menu of therapies and treatments using products from the exclusive cosmetics brands; Carita, Natura Bissé and Alquimia.
We tried and highly recommend the seaweed wrap using activated mud from the Dead Sea which re-mineralises the skin due to the high mineral and oligo element content. Also on the spa menu are rituals such as the Jet Lag Reviver and Just Landed.
Located on Avenida Diagonal and slightly on the outskirts of the centre, the Sofia is an excellent choice if you are wanting a really relaxing holiday in Barcelona and want to stay away from the tourist areas. The concept of the Sofia uses the theme ‘I am’, being not just a hotel to sleep in but also a social, fashion, gastronomic, meeting, conference and wellness space. Read reviews.
Plaça de Pius XII, 4
08028
info@sofiabarcelona.com
+34 935 081 000
Mandarin Oriental
Best for: Spa treatment
The darkly lit spa at the Mandarin Oriental hotel ensures complete privacy and serenity. Every treatment here begins with the sweet chime of Tibetan cymbals to send you into a deep relaxed state. Half and full day programs are also offered such as Detox for Wellness, Journey to Radiance and Urban Escape. Before your treatment it’s advised to spend some time in the Oriental steam room. We tried and tested one of their signature facials called Oriental Essence aptly designed for the tired traveller, stressed executive or someone who just wishes to relive neck and shoulder tension.
Another hotel located on the famous Passeig de Gracia, the entrance is spectacular, an impressive runway style ramp takes you from street level to the entrance hall.
If you have cash to splash then go for a suite. Each suite comes with a private butler (who will unpack and pack your suitcase to perfection) and lift access, but for the best experience, we recommend the signature Barcelona suite, which in addition, comes complete with its own outdoor jacuzzi and solarium.
The Mandarin Oriental is also home to some of the best restaurants in the city including the two Michelin starred Moments restaurant and the beautiful light filled Blanc restaurant and lounge. Read reviews.
Passeig de Gràcia, 38-40
08007
mobcn-info@mohg.com
+34 93 151 88 88
Hotel Majestic
Best for: A day of pampering and yoga
The luxury spa hotel Majestic is quite the institution in Barcelona!. The spa itself is located on the top floor, behind the La Dolce Vitae roof bar and restaurant.
It’s also an ideal spot for a bit of yoga in the morning, classes are offered every day between 8 – 9am. After the yoga class you can enjoy a detox juice or have a healthy breakfast.
Treatments and therapies are by the local brand Natura Bissé and Dr. Perricone. We tried the Facial Kobido Express, a deep cleansing, nourishing and firming facial therapy that is ideal for congested, sun-damaged skin. Kobido is a form of Japanese facial massage which aims to rejuvenate the face, preventing and reducing the impact of the aging process. Kobido is also known as the “facelift without surgery”.
The spa and the restaurants of the hotel are open to outside guests and they have a very strong bond with the Spanish community. Even if you are not staying at the hotel, the rooftop is worth visiting entirely for the views and in the summer months for cocktails and enjoying music from the DJ. Read reviews.
Passeig de Gràcia, 68
08007
info@hotelmajestic.es
+34 934 88 17 17
For healthy eating in Barcelona here’s our guide to 3 of the hottest vegan menus in Barcelona.
Don’t forget to get your travel guide to Barcelona and the Tourist Board website is a great resource for everything that’s happening in the city. For a little adventure outside of Barcelona we we can’t recommend wine tasting at Llopart Winery highly enough, especially if you enjoy cava.
For insider tips and special deal, contact one of our wellness travel advisors who can help you find your perfect luxury spa hotel in Barcelona.
