Barcelona Port Hotels – city accommodation with a sea view

by Greg | Barcelona hotels

One of Barcelona’s most appealing features is that, as well as the attractions of the city, it is also situated on a particularly beautiful stretch of the Mediterranean coastline. Consequently, this offers visitors the possibility of staying at hotels near the beaches or the port and marinas.

Many people starting a cruise in Barcelona will want to spend a few days in the city before they begin their holiday. One of the closest hotels to the cruise ship embarkation docks is the fabulous new 5 Star luxury hotel, the Grand Marina – and this is a wonderful place to begin any vacation.

The Eurostar Grand Marina Hotel can be found at Barcelona’s World Trade Center and is surrounded on three of its sides by the marina, providing guests with spectacular views of the port area and the sea. The rooms offer everything you would expect from a hotel of this category, all designed in light, tropical woods, establishing a luxurious, calm environment. As well as an outdoor pool and sunbathing area, there is a fully-equipped modern fitness centre and sauna and two superb a la carte restaurants. The open air café is, additionally, an informal but still elegant place to eat.

Just about 10 minutes walk from the southern end of Las Ramblas, the Grand Marina is one of Barcelona’s most appealing modern hotels.

Overlooking the Port Olimpic Marina, and with stunning views, the Ritz Carlton owned Hotel Arts Barcelona, opposite the ‘Golden Peix’ of Frank Gehry, is another of the city’s 5 Star luxury hotels. This superbly designed building has built an enviable reputation for itself – for the quality of its rooms and for its painstaking attention to detail in every aspect of its organisation.

The rooms themselves – with their marble baths, state of the art electronic controls and classic, sheer luxury – offer spacious, stylish splendour. This opulence is matched by the amenities for guests which include beauty salons, a health club, spa, restaurant and bar which have attracted plaudits from guests and travel journalists since the hotel’s opening.

The H10 Barcelona Marina Hotel, on Avenida Bogatell, a 5 minute walk from the Port Olimpic, is a lovely hotel. From the moment you enter the tranquil atmosphere of the lobby, with décor and features inspired by Classical Greece, you’ll appreciate that this is a hotel to relax in. There are 210 rooms and 28 suites, all with satellite television, internet connection and beautiful, understated classical decoration.

The H10 Marina has two memorable restaurants – Dionissos and the smaller and more intimate Vin i Tapas. This is a hotel with a cellar of over 350 wines; and with food to match. You’ll also find an indoor pool, plunge pools in the Wellness Marina, a jacuzzi, steam bath, gym, and Beauty salon – as well as a small outdoor swimming pool.

If you need a comfortable, charming hotel – with an elegant atmosphere – and still close to the port and the city, then the H10 Marina could be just the place.

Two other hotels in the port area that also capture the warm, welcoming character of Barcelona, are the Hesperia Del Port and the Hotel Icaria.

The smaller Hesperia del Port – it has just 48 rooms – still provides excellent facilities and levels of comfort for its guests. As well as satellite television, Wi-Fi access, telephone and air conditioning, this newly-built hotel gives its guests modern stylishness and a high level of service.

The 180 room Hotel Icaria, on Aninguda d’Icaria, about 5 minutes from the Port Olimpic, is a much grander proposition. Along with extensive fitness and spa facilities and an outdoor pool, the Icaria has a ballroom, a first class restaurant, with a relaxing garden terrace. The rooms themselves are elegantly unfussy, with laminate flooring and sophisticated, minimalist décor and all have wireless internet and cable television.