Hotel Arts Barcelona - A Ritz Property [Master Thread]
Apr 7, 2016, 10:28 am
Also please do a trip report in this thread after your stay. Always good to have updates.
Cheers.
May 23, 2018, 7:05 pm
May 24, 2018, 8:35 am
There are some nice restaurants down by the beach like Restaurante Can Majo which you really need reservations for in advance, especially if you want outdoor seating.
May 24, 2018, 5:42 pm
There are some nice restaurants down by the beach like Restaurante Can Majo which you really need reservations for in advance, especially if you want outdoor seating.
May 26, 2018, 3:00 pm
Jul 24, 2018, 5:24 am
* Barcelona / Hotel Arts Barcelona (Ritz Carlton) / For those not staying on the club level, there is a "Rewards Lounge" for Gold and Plats open 8.00am to 2.00pm for coffe, tea, soft drinks and croissants; 06/24/13 update
Cheers.
Aug 18, 2018, 12:58 pm
checkout full review as it might be helpful to those FTers looking to book!
Review: Hotel Arts Barcelona | PointsPinnacle
Oct 1, 2018, 4:04 pm
Pre-arrival was a bit of a mess due to the botched Marriott integration. My Ambassador wasn't able to make contact with the hotel, and my request for suite upgrade pricing was met with "We see you're Platinum, but we're very busy". My Ambassador eventually got connected to the Ops Manager who wasn't able to accept a Your24 request (understandably so, as the hotel was full), but who did upgrade me in advance from a Deluxe Room (base level) to a Deluxe Seafront Room (highest non-Suite category, and beautiful!). I was also allowed breakfast in the Club Lounge as an exception given that I had quite a bit of time to kill after a 10am arrival.
The room was gorgeous, and I liked the facilities, from the restaurants (sadly the 2* Enoteca was full), the bars and the pools. The spa looked beautiful, but I didn't have time to make use of it. I am not one to pay $150 a day for an RC Club Lounge, but the Hotel Arts lounge seemed quite nice.
The main downside is probably the location. While the beach view is nice, for me at least it's the wrong side of Barceloneta. There is music from the multiple all-night clubs right in front of the hotel (we were on 18th floor and it wasn't quite bad enough to be annoying, but close) and we were warned several times that the area around the hotel was especially bad for muggings.
Barcelona remains a strong location for the Marriott Group. The W is iconic and has a fun crowd in the summer (for which you pay $$$). The Le Meridien is located right in the centre of things and has a good record of upgrading Platinums to large suites. The Four Points has excellent service and is great value. The Ritz Carlton is the highest specification hotel with the best service, but is in the worst location and obviously no breakfast even for top level elites. My favourite was probably Central Hotel, but that is no longer part of the Marriott side of Design hotels. It sounds like I need to try the Renaissance next time...
Oct 1, 2018, 7:44 pm
Pre-arrival was a bit of a mess due to the botched Marriott integration. My Ambassador wasn't able to make contact with the hotel, and my request for suite upgrade pricing was met with "We see you're Platinum, but we're very busy". My Ambassador eventually got connected to the Ops Manager who wasn't able to accept a Your24 request (understandably so, as the hotel was full), but who did upgrade me in advance from a Deluxe Room (base level) to a Deluxe Seafront Room (highest non-Suite category, and beautiful!). I was also allowed breakfast in the Club Lounge as an exception given that I had quite a bit of time to kill after a 10am arrival.
The room was gorgeous, and I liked the facilities, from the restaurants (sadly the 2* Enoteca was full), the bars and the pools. The spa looked beautiful, but I didn't have time to make use of it. I am not one to pay $150 a day for an RC Club Lounge, but the Hotel Arts lounge seemed quite nice.
The main downside is probably the location. While the beach view is nice, for me at least it's the wrong side of Barceloneta. There is music from the multiple all-night clubs right in front of the hotel (we were on 18th floor and it wasn't quite bad enough to be annoying, but close) and we were warned several times that the area around the hotel was especially bad for muggings.
Barcelona remains a strong location for the Marriott Group. The W is iconic and has a fun crowd in the summer (for which you pay $$$). The Le Meridien is located right in the centre of things and has a good record of upgrading Platinums to large suites. The Four Points has excellent service and is great value. The Ritz Carlton is the highest specification hotel with the best service, but is in the worst location and obviously no breakfast even for top level elites. My favourite was probably Central Hotel, but that is no longer part of the Marriott side of Design hotels. It sounds like I need to try the Renaissance next time...
Cheers.
Apr 7, 2019, 4:48 pm
Hotel Arts
Carrer de la Marina 19, 21 Barcelona, Spain CA 08005
Warm Welcome from Hotel Arts Barcelona (10 Photos)
Hotel Arts
Check In
We arrived around 9 PM after 24 hours traveling from San Diego to London to Barcelona so we were extremely pleased to have a fast, smooth check in. The very personable front desk agents made a point of welcoming us back to the Hotel Arts, which impressed me since it had been many years since our last visit. It turned out both were interns studying Hotel and Hospitality at EHL. Their youthful enthusiasm was refreshing. They really made us feel welcome. After reviewing our breakfast benefits and confirming our check out time they offered to escort us to our room.
The first thing we noticed when we walked into the bedroom was a handmade welcome poster on the window. We thought that was very thoughtful. The GM had also written us a note and presented us with a nice welcome amenity.
Room
The room was actually very similar to the one we had been upgraded years ago as Centurion guests--a large (over 700 square feet) one bedroom 2 bath Sea View suite with contemporary furnishings and even at night a gorgeous view of the Gehry sculpture, water and skyline.
The bedroom was spacious and comfortable and had our much loved electronic black out shades. Room temperature was perfect.
There was a desk area.
And two very nice bathrooms.
The living room was at the end of a long hallway and had comfortable, modern furniture. There was also a Nespresso machine.
Service
All of the staff at Hotel Arts made us feel like welcome guests. We were impressed with service we received from wait staff, bellmen, desk clerks and concierges. Housekeeping was prompt and efficient and there was nightly turn down service.
Dining
The only meals we ate at the hotel were the complimentary breakfast buffets. The selection was very good and there was a crepe and egg station. Sorry- but I didn't take any photos.
Location
I know some people prefer a more central location but we love the proximity to the water. Everywhere we wanted to go was a convenient taxi ride.
Overall
This is a really stunning property that takes pride in its appearance. One of their trademarks are the lavish floral displays and the hotel and grounds are beautiful.
On a short 3 night stay we didn't have time to maximize our visit and we never checked out the pool, spa or club room. And we didn't have a chance to dine at their 2 Michelin star restaurant which we heard from other guests is quite good.
We will definitely return to the Hotel Arts on our next visit to Barcelona. Of the Ritz Carlton hotels we have stayed at this is by far our favorite. It has the ideal combination we seek- gorgeous public spaces, excellent location, great rooms and a friendly professional staff.
May 3, 2019, 4:48 am
