The Check In
Situated along Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, the longest street in Catalonia, in the heart of Barcelona, the regal El Palace Hotel Barcelona is the city’s grand dame of grand dame hotels.
The property first opened in 1919 as the Ritz of Barcelona a.k.a. the city's first five-star hotel. Here, “white glove” isn’t a tagline, but rather a battle cry. Top-level service still accents every detail. An assortment of Secret Service-level detail escorts your experience, from the moment you enter the hotel’s entranceway flanked by top-hatted doormen to the throwback, classic room keys used to unlock your suites.
The Look
Built under the vision of Cesar Ritz, El Palace is one of the four original Ritz locations. This means an air of bygone luxury is felt throughout the grand spaces, neoclassical architecture, and Belle Epoque and Art Decó detailing.
The sensibility is timeless and robust, in part due to the notable 20th-century figures who frequented the hotel: Josephine Baker, Joan Miró, Carlos Ruiz Zafón. In 1971, Salvador Dali infamously requested the hotel staff carry a taxidermied horse up the main staircase as a gift to his wife, Gala.
Though, over time, the property’s flamboyant legacy was seen as old amongst some Barcelonians, the hotel now has a new modus operandi: Merge history with modern tastes. With panoramic views of the city, the rooftop garden was designed after elevated green spaces of 1920’s New York. (It’s a buzzing hub of booze and views during the summer months.)
A cooler scene descends to subterranean speakeasy, Bluesman Cocktail Bar, along with the adjoining Smoking Lounge. From September 22nd to July 23rd, this intimate bar, with its jazzy ambiance, transports guests to the Golden Age of vintage chandeliers and dazzling distillates. If you’re lucky, Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones has been known to surprise guests with impromptu performances during his frequent extended stays.(Wood even has his own suite named after him.)
The Great Hall hosts afternoon tea and rotating art exhibitions. Soulful sounds of blues, jazz, swing, mambo from old-school live bands make the Great Hall the soul of the palace.
The Rooms
As with everything at El Palace, heft and history abounds. The brass and red tassel keychain feels weighty, ceremonial even. And when you step out? The concierge is there to ensure it’s kept safely.
Each of the 120 rooms and suites are a testament to the hotel’s signature neo-classical elegance. Each suite offering a narrative arc that's uniquely its own, such as the suites devoted to César Ritz, tribute to the innovator of hotel luxury, complete with opulent reds, gold leaf accents, and lavish Louis XVI furniture; Joséphine Baker, a symphony of pastels and Louis XVI elegance; and Joan Miró, which reflects Miro's love for primary colors and bronze.
Food & Drink
The culinary traditions here blend Basque roots with Catalan flair. Nestled on the ground floor, Jardin serves breakfast in an oasis of black and white tiles and verdant foliage. The menu at The Great Hall is tapas, such as a lobster-stuffed Paccheri pasta and Catalan-inspired delicacies (profiterole towers, mango roulade) by chef Cristina Ramon. At AMAR Barcelona, a collaboration with Rafa Zafra of El Bulli, spotlights seafood dishes, such as tiger oyster and grilled hake with champagne sauce and caviar.
The Check Out
Passeig de Gràcia, the Rodeo Drive or Fifth Avenue of Barcelona, is where Gaudi architecture — La Pedrera-Casa Milà, dubbed "La Pedrera" for its unique rough facade, stands out as a modernista masterpiece — meets upscale shopping spots like Santa Eulalia, a historic high-fashion haven with bespoke men’s tailoring that reflects a craftsmanship rarely seen today. (And one of the few remaining tailor shops in the city.) A glass window in the workroom means shoppers can see the tailors keep their craft alive. El Palace hosted Santa Eulalia’s legendary couture shows, from 1926 through 1990.
Just around the corner, the fragrance flagship Carner Barcelona is an olfactory delight. For a touch of local flavor, make your way to Colmado Múrria, a classic grocery store and restaurant just a 10-minute walk from El Palace’s gates.
