Review: El Palace Barcelona

How did it strike you on arrival?
El Palace is all Baroque opulence—like a small-scale version of Versailles, but situated in the center of Barcelona. This property used to be the Ritz, and it shows in everything from the fancy doormen in top hats to the old-school room keys—not to mention the lavish fabrics, furnishings, and all-around décor. These days, it is known as El Palace, a stately grande dame hotel that has been one of Barcelona's leaders in luxury ever since it first opened in 1919.

What’s the crowd like?
El Palace attracts a mature following from all over the world, although the predominant groups are from the U.S., the Middle East, and Europe. If you enjoy staying in grand old palatial buildings that are steeped in history, this is the hotel for you.

Tell us about your room.
Rooms are elegant and relaxing, with high-quality furniture and excellent soundproofing, plus wonderful views – depending on where in the hotel you stay – from Gran Via to the hilltop of Tibidabo and Gaudí’s famous Sagrada Família.

If budget isn’t an issue, then El Palace’s Art Suites are among the prettiest money can buy. Each one is inspired by a former prominent guest – from Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, to artist Salvador Dalí, and French-American singer, dancer and actor Josephine Baker – and their particular artistic preferences. There’s also a Roman-style mosaic bath for those Insta-worthy tub moments. The Art Suites can be reserved either as a two-bedroom suite, with two separate bedrooms and two Roman baths united by a living-dining room; a one-bedroom suite: with one bedroom, one Roman bath, and a living-dining room; or as a Grand Deluxe, with one bedroom and one Roman bath, without the living-dining room.

El Palace also has Family Suites, which are three separate bedrooms for up to seven guests combined by a central living room.

How are the beds?
Comfortable king-size bed with 100 percent Egyptian-cotton sheets.

How are the bathrooms?
One of the highlights of if you book one of the Art Suites is the fully renovated Roman-style bathroom, complete with mosaics. Bathroom products come from Lab Noma, a local, sustainable brand, which uses zero-waste, ecological, vegan, and environmentally sustainable ingredients grown in the nearby Parc de las Flors.

Is there Wi-Fi?
Complimentary, unlimited Wi-Fi.

Anything stand out about other services and features?
There are a lot of hotel roof terraces in Barcelona, but very few are as expansive, relaxing, or beautifully designed as the one that sits atop El Palace. In winter, one of the highlights is the beautiful greenhouse-style winter garden restaurant, which allows you to appreciate the terrace to its fullest, even when it’s too cold to sit outside. The new ground-floor Amar restaurant by local super chef Rafa Zafra is about as opulent as it gets, setting a new standard for sumptuous seafood feasts in Barcelona. The no-expense-spared menu features caviar served in every form imaginable and eight different takes on oysters, to name just a couple of examples.

Downstairs, the Bluesman bar is a great place for a cocktail, especially for Rolling Stones fans, who will be impressed by the original artwork donated to the hotel by Barcelona resident Ronnie Wood. El Palace also features a Mayan-themed spa that specializes in volcanic-stone treatment.

What was most memorable about your stay?
El Palace lives up to its name and will delight anyone who has dreamed of living like a royal, even for a day.

Bottom line: worth it?
Rooms are on the expensive side, but that’s what you have to be prepared to pay to stay in a real palace.