THE HOTEL:The hotel soars into the sky at
44 floors, overlooking the marina and out to sea, and is just 100 metres from the beach. Managed by Ritz-Carlton, the hotel is a 30-minute taxi ride in from the airport. The 483 bedrooms are split into just 16 rooms per floor so there are no endless corridors.
CHECK-IN: Entry is on the ground floor with reception one floor up, in a cavernous, open-plan space ablaze with colour-coordinated flowers and oozing luxury. I arrived in the evening and all was quiet and calm. A glass of ice cold water appeared at my side from nowhere and I was escorted to the 33rd floor to the Club lounge for check-in. Formalities were dealt with effortlessly, then I was shown to my room two floors down, connected by a spiral staircase.
THE ROOM: Another cavernous and elegant space with a vast bed and all mod cons. Wifi is charged for (free in the Club Lounge), and there was a desk (but with a seat of woefully inadequate height), two telephone lines and voicemail, luxurious bathroom, high-end Acqua di Parma toiletries, and separate hydro-shower cubicle. At night, the flatscreen TV and Bang & Olufsen AV systems light up like an aircraft panel. This was one of the 32 Club rooms which grant access to the wonderful Club Lounge, legendary at Ritz-Carlton hotels. There's no need to dine elsewhere – the food and beverage offerings are so generous. It also includes a meeting room for up to six people and is offered free of charge.
THE BUSINESS: Some 20 meeting rooms, of which six are on the 41st floor offering fabulous views. On the Lower Ground floor is the ballroom with a capacity of up to 1,000, and a Junior Ballroom for 250.
THE restaurant: If you can get away from the lure of the Club Lounge goodies, then there's amazing tapas inside the Arola restaurant with a terrace, herb garden and a great view of the Frank Gehry fish-shaped sculpture; a Champagne bar offering 40 different versions of the bubbly stuff; the Enoteca fine dining restaurant with one Michelin star and a Mediterranean fish and seafood menu and 300 wines in its cellar; and finally Bites near the hotel reception, which serves all-day casual dining options such as pasta and Club sandwiches.
THE facilities: Among other services available are a business centre, apartments with butler and unpacking service, use of a Mini Cooper, a fantastic Six Senses spa and fitness centre on the 41st floor, and generally lots of outdoor space including gardens to soak up the Mediterranean climate. There is also parking and various shops selling gifts, clothing and edible delights.
THE VERDICT: A great understated property, with stunning views and impeccable service and amenities synonymous with Ritz-Carlton.
THE DETAILS: Marina 19-21, Barcelona 08005. Tel: 0034 9322 11000. Standard rooms (called Deluxe) are 300 euros; Club rooms are 450 euros, and apartments are 1,300 – all rates are exclusive of tax. www.hotelartsbarcelona.com. Gillian Upton
