Almanac Barcelona
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 619-621, Barcelona, Catalonia 08007, Spain
Why We Like It
Almanac is in the heart of Barcelona’s best shopping and restaurants on Passeig de Gracia (and far enough from the bustling, tourist-central La Rambla to have some peace). Luxurious rooms and facilities mean you won't want for anything while you're here; plus, we’re convinced we could’ve been happy on the rooftop forever.
Fodor's Expert Review
Central location, cool amenities, rooms with a view—this sleek new property, which opened in November 2017 in Barcelona’s Eixample neighborhood, ticks all the boxes for a good hotel base and then some. It's a lot like the surrounding area itself: low-key, yet upscale and effortlessly cool. Stay here if you’re looking for something luxurious and contemporary, with great views and easy access to shopping and Gaudi architecture on Passeig de Gracia.
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Room
The spacious rooms are light-filled and modern, with wood-paneled walls and white sheets, but it's the high tech details that really make the experience. There’s a phone you can use to make local and international calls (for free, even off the property!); USB outlets mean you don’t have to worry about packing a converter; and a panel controls the lighting. Connecting rooms are available, too, so you're in the right place if you're traveling with a group.
Tip Upgrade to a Gran Via Cube Room. The huge window nook (where you can cozy up and look over the streets of Eixample) is what Instagram dreams are made of – and one of the hotel's coolest features.
Bathroom
There’s beautiful white marble, double trough sinks, and bergamot and pear-apple soaps. It gets points for privacy too—the toilet is behind its own door.
Lobby
Automatic doors open up to a shiny lobby with lots of mirrored and metallic touches, dark blue and neutral couches, and an illuminated spiraling staircase. It’s not much of a hangout spot, but it’s a pleasant place to grab a glass of water on check in, or chat with the helpful staff about your game plan for the day.
Pool
It’s more of a small plunge pool than full-on swimming pool on the sceney rooftop terrace, but the jaw-dropping city views (look for the Sagrada Família!) more than make up for its size. Retreat to the glass-enclosed bar lounge when, on the off chance, the weather isn’t bright and sunny.
You Should Know This isn’t much of a family pool. The buzzy bar and intimate nooks here are more apt for trendsetters having a social drink.
Spa
Treatments range from facials to massages, and you can order in-suite treatments. Everyone gets complimentary access to the sauna and steam room.
Gym
The 24-hour fitness room—which has your basic treadmills, ellipticals, and weights—isn't the highlight of the property, but with all the walking you'll do in Barcelona, do you even need one?
Dining
The hotel’s upscale restaurant, Linia, is open all day, but definitely go for the breakfast here; it's included in the room rate. It starts with a tray of pastries, but you can hit the buffet and order pancakes or Nutella crepes a la carte.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
You can walk to many of Barcelona’s top sights from the hotel, but the Passeig de Gracia metro station is also literally around the corner; it’s a hub with L2, L3, L4 service that can connect you to most attractions.
Restaurants
Just around the corner on Calle Diputacio is Tapas24 (4-minute walk), Carles Abellan’s casual restaurant for small bites. It’s tiny and there’s usually a line, but the croquetas and bikinis (pressed ham and cheese sandwiches with truffle) are worth the wait. Also conveniently located on the Passeig de Gracia, El Nacional (3-minute walk) is a historic building with four restaurants and four bars and is a site in itself.
Bars
Head to the Dry Martini Bar on Aribau (15-minute walk) for cool, old-school vibes or to Montvinic (10-minute walk) for a wine bar whose cellar has 3,500 vintages. If you’re after sangria, go to Cachitos (10-minute walk), a low-key but atmospheric spot which makes a great pitcher with your choice of fruit, and also serves up paella and tapas.
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