Hotel Arts Barcelona
Write A Review
"Not Ritz Carlton standard"
I have phoned three times for turn-down service, yet no one has come. The same happened with our laundry pickup request — I called three times and still no response. For a hotel of this level, I should not have to beg for basic services. This was very disappointing and needs to be improved.
"A highly recommended Barcelona hotel – right on the water"
This hotel is perfectly located along Barcelona’s beautiful waterfront, right next to the Olympic Port, which has a lovely restaurant precinct by the water (we especially enjoyed Eldelmar). The hotel staff are wonderfully friendly and truly make you feel special throughout your stay. We will most definitely return to this amazing hotel on our next visit to Barcelona!
"Beautiful Stay, but Not Fully Valued as Guests"
The property is beautiful, but the service did not fully meet expectations for a hotel of this caliber. Housekeeping did not change the pillowcases daily, and while the female staff members were consistently warm and attentive, one front desk staff member neither greeted us nor offered assistance, even when unoccupied. His selective manner left us feeling overlooked. On the positive side, the breakfast team was outstanding, and the valet service was excellent. For these reasons, I rated the hotel 4 stars. However, after a few nights, we ultimately moved to the Mandarin, as we did not feel sufficiently valued during our stay.
"They have electrical issues"
We checked in only to find the power went out around noon and remained out. We were proactive, asking staff to charge our phones and provide flashlights when we went down to the lobby. We adjusted our plans, spent some time at the pool, and made dinner reservations. As we were leaving for dinner, we were told we were being evacuated due to a safety issue and instructed to remain in our room. Thankfully, we still went to dinner — because it wasn’t until three hours later that we were finally able to get down from the 17th floor using one of the only working elevators. The evacuation process was chaotic and poorly managed. Only one elevator was operating, and there was just one young staff member with no authority to coordinate. We waited for hours, as each time the elevator arrived it was full of luggage and guests walking down. There really needs to be a clear evacuation plan with management control to ensure an orderly process. Eventually, we were sent to the Grand Hyatt at 10 p.m., and even there, we experienced a cab driver trying to extort us for a fare we knew the hotel had already paid. Individual employees were kind and courteous, but overall, no one seemed to be in control. With floors 1–15 closed for renovations, I can’t imagine the chaos if the hotel were at full capacity.
"Very good"
The hotel itself is fantastic – from the friendly staff and excellent facilities to the overall atmosphere, everything felt just right. We stayed in a panoramic sea view room for five nights, and it was probably the best hotel room I’ve ever experienced. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would happily return. The only downside was that on weekend nights, the music from nearby clubs was quite loud, and even from the 12th floor, it disrupted our sleep a little in the middle of the night.
"Could be a 5 star review but needs refinement"
A hotel with excellent facilities and beautiful grounds, with modern rooms and a great vibe. Our Fabulous Sky Ocean View room on the 20th floor was fantastic, with stunning views — highly recommended. The poolside service was outstanding, with attentive and friendly staff, and the cocktails from the bar were excellent. We also loved the quiet pool/sauna/steam area near the gym, which is perfect for relaxation. That said, a few things did go wrong during our two-night stay. The check-in process was chaotic and unorganized, with no staff to guide guests in the busy lobby. Our check-in took about 30 minutes, and the agent seemed inexperienced. We were also overcharged €585.20 for accommodation; although the hotel responded quickly, waiting 7–10 business days for a refund is very inconvenient — so check your bill carefully! Our room did not have a “Do Not Disturb” sign, so we were interrupted, and the hotel room doors slam loudly, making it hard to ignore noise at all hours. Room service was fine but not remarkable. Overall, this hotel has incredible facilities and staff in certain areas, especially by the pool, but some service issues need improvement.
"Pool pass- go for it!"
We enjoyed a pool pass on two consecutive days (€90 each day), and it was absolutely worth it. The food was lovely, and the surroundings and view were spectacular. I found the whole experience very relaxing—so much so that I booked again the following day (this time without my husband, who prefers more active activities!). The only small downsides were that the music became repetitive, playing on a loop, and the drinks were on the pricey side. That said, the excellent staff made up for it. A special mention goes to Julian and Daniella at the beach bar, who were attentive, friendly, and worked so hard to ensure everyone was happy and well looked after. If you get the chance, I highly recommend booking a day pool pass—you won’t regret it.
"Some great but some quite frankly awful."
We stayed here for four nights on a bed and breakfast basis, and while there were moments of delight, there were also several frustrating experiences that left us underwhelmed. On the positive side, the swimming pool and sundeck are simply divine, with attentive staff creating a relaxing atmosphere. The poolside restaurant, although slightly pricey, offered excellent lunches—we enjoyed it so much that we ate there every day. Just beside reception, the small coffee house was a charming find, and across from reception the mixologist cocktail bar became another favorite spot. Breakfast was another highlight, with a generous buffet, excellent service, and the option to dine indoors or outside—it was truly a wonderful start to each day. Unfortunately, the negatives were hard to ignore. Our room was extremely basic, poorly maintained, and unclean, with dirty windows, loose cables, and an unpleasant smell of stale cigarettes. The gym was outdated and in need of a deep clean. Check-in was another low point—slow, disorganized, and handled by staff who came across as rude, particularly toward an elderly couple ahead of us. Dinner options were also puzzling for a supposed five-star hotel: apart from Michelin-style dining on weekends, there was no proper evening restaurant available. Overall, while the breakfast and pool teams stood out for their warmth, much of the remaining staff lacked the professionalism and five-star service one would expect. Sadly, what could have been an exceptional stay was let down by poor service and neglected facilities.
"Too bad."
The staff was friendly, but overall the hotel was absolutely unprepared. Several services such as the spa and gym were closed without any prior information. My room was only given at 3:00 pm, and even then, it was the wrong one. I received no real assistance for visits, and the car I had booked never showed up. It seems the hotel believes that simply offering a nice room is enough, but proper service is clearly lacking. Unfortunately, I would not return.
"Best view."
This hotel was absolute perfection. We stayed for 5 days, and the view was easily the best we’ve ever had in any hotel (including The Shard in London). We booked an executive suite on the 24th floor with both city and harbor views, and it was magnificent. From one side, we had La Sagrada Familia right in front of us, and from the other, we could see the cruise ships and the beach. The air conditioning was excellent — even at noon with the full summer sun pouring in, the room stayed cool and comfortable. Every morning we enjoyed breakfast in our room, and it was consistently perfect. We did have a couple of small issues: we arrived with a Sixt rental car from Bilbao and, since we no longer needed it, I asked the valet to return it to Sixt on our behalf (as advertised by Sixt). After two days with no confirmation, I followed up and discovered it hadn’t been returned. I had to explain the situation several times, but thankfully it was eventually sorted out and we were not charged extra by Sixt. However, on checkout we were billed €50/day for 3 days of parking. Once I explained again, the charges were removed. Despite this hiccup, we would absolutely return. In fact, we’re already planning a cruise out of Barcelona next year and will definitely be staying here again.
"Great hotel!"
The rooms were very comfortable and really felt like home. The service was exceptional—staff even helped us find a dentist on short notice, which we greatly appreciated. The pool area was lovely, with a relaxing hot tub, and the gym was spacious and well-equipped. The food was good, though quite pricey. The buffet was generous and included menu options, but at $45 it felt a bit steep. On the plus side, the café had tasty drinks and snacks—the hazelnut croissant was a standout! The location was convenient, close to the beach, though the surrounding area could have been cleaner as there was quite a bit of trash around. Overall, the hotel was very nice with only a few minor flaws. I highly recommend it for a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
"Theft common, hotel apathetic."
The property itself is very nice, but unfortunately the surrounding area is unsafe. I was mugged in the evening just a block from the hotel, losing my purse, phone, cash, credit cards, and identification. What made the situation worse was the response from the property. The staff seemed indifferent, simply remarking that incidents like this “happen all the time.” No effort was made to assist me in contacting the police or helping me reach a station to file a report, despite the fact that I was traveling alone. For a hotel of this standard, I expected far more support, especially for an incident that occurred practically within view of the property.
Hotel Arts Barcelona
An iconic beachfront hotel offering spacious rooms, a renowned spa, and a selection of fine dining restaurants.
Address
Carrer de la Marina, 19-21, Ciutat Vella, 08005 Barcelona, Spain
Email
n/a
Telephone
Carrer de la Marina, 19-21, Ciutat Vella, 08005 Barcelona, Spain