If you favor Ritz properties wherever you travel, you have great taste. But you might be disappointed to hear that there is no Ritz hotel in Barcelona. Or is there? While El Palace Barcelona is not technically part of the Ritz-Carlton group, César Ritz did design it. Yes, Mr. Ritz, the man whose track record in the world of luxury hospitality is so good that his last name inspired the adjective ‘ritzy.’ Impressive, right? In fact, the property was rebranded El Palace Barcelona in 2005; prior to that, and since 1919 when it opened, it was the Ritz of Barcelona. As such, El Palace Barcelona shares many of its best qualities, including the amazing service, decor, and food, with the actual Ritzes of this world (Ritz Paris and Ritz London, we see you). So, don’t let the current name fool you, this place is as upscale as it gets.
Atmosphere
Much like other historical Ritz hotels, El Palace is all about classic luxury. It starts outside, with an impeccable Beaux-Arts façade with red awnings. And for those who don’t get the message straight away, the doorman in his tails and the bellhop in his immaculate uniform will make things very clear: this is a five-star hotel like they used to make in the early 20th century. There’s no room for modern, laid-back nonsense. That said, the staff is far from stiff and awkward. As is common in Spain, everyone is warm and friendly, no matter how lavish the surroundings are. In fact, when tourists come in from the streets and ask to take a picture of the gorgeous Great Hall, the staff are welcoming, and proud to show off the space — as they should.
But if you want a relaxed atmosphere, the marble-filled lobby definitely isn’t the best place to hang out. The rooftop garden is. With its great city views, pool, and luscious plants, it is a mellow spot where to enjoy a glass of cava. You’ll mostly be among locals in the known, and American visitors.
Rooms and Suites
Most of all the 120 rooms and suites in El Palace Barcelona are, as expected, classic. Think soft colors, textured wallpaper, antique furniture, objets d’art, glass chandeliers, and marble bathrooms. It was certainly the case in the 1,600-plus-square-foot César Ritz Suite that I stayed in. To keep the atmosphere intact, even the TVs were disguised as mirrors, and I would never have noticed if the concierge hadn’t mentioned the ruse. My personal favorite part of the suite was the very unusual 1919 mosaiced Roman bath in the bathroom. That was a fun surprise that I doubt I’ll encounter in any other hotels.
But while most of the accommodations are decorated in the fashion of a traditional luxury hotel, it’s not the case for all of them. Two of the suite types are entirely different. The Joséphine Baker Suite is a colorful explosion of very feminine florals, transporting you to a property in the countryside. The Ronnie Wood Suite (designed with his input) has a very masculine vibe. The furniture is more contemporary, there is Rolling Stones art on the walls, and there is even a jukebox. If you’ve always wanted to feel like a rock star, this is the suite for you.
No matter what accommodation you opt for, you’ll get to enjoy the El Palace branded amenities, including their delicious dark chocolate bar. I’m not one for scented bath products, but the products in my suite at El Palace were perfect. The citrus notes were very subtle and the shampoo and conditioner made my hair look way better than expected when I left at 4 AM to catch my flight. I couldn’t help but pack the hand soap in my suitcase, and I wish I had been bold enough to take two of them. That’s how lovely they are.
Food and Beverage
While I had initially booked a table at AMAR for dinner, I had to switch my reservation to enjoy a meal at The Hall instead. AMAR serves very refined cuisine, but the focus is on seafood and I am a vegetarian so it was a no-go. That said, I took a peek inside the restaurant and the decor almost made me want to go back to my carnivorous days. This place is gorgeous.
Not that The Hall is any less impressive — on the contrary. The vast room is all mirrors, marble, chandeliers, plants, and pastel-colored furniture – a bit like what you’d see in an episode of Bridgerton. While the decor is very sophisticated, the menu at The Hall is affordable and simple, so there’s no need to dress up. Some of the people around me enjoyed their drinks in their summer dresses, jeans, and shirtsleeves.
The aforementioned Rooftop Garden serves both lunch and dinner and the vibe is very informal, if you want a no-fuss meal. And make sure you go down one level from the lobby to check out the cigar lounge and the jazz club/speakeasy. The atmosphere is that of a 1930s gentleman’s club – it’s a very unique and cozy space.
Spa
While I did not visit the spa during my stay, there is one on site and it offers very unusual treatments. Do you know what a Mayan massage is? Me neither, but it’s on the menu. So are Caribbean seashell massages, pre-Hispanic gold body-softening treatments, and wine wraps. If you’re in for a unique experience, the spa is where it’s at.
Service
From what I observed and experienced, you can’t fault any of the staff at El Palace Barcelona. Their uniforms are elegant, they look absolutely flawless, and they are determined to make your stay a living dream. When I canceled my dining reservation at the last minute, the concierge was on the phone making the changes in seconds. Upon mentioning that I would leave too early on the day of my departure to enjoy breakfast on the premises, the staff packed me a giant bag full of goodies to have on the go. And after I ferreted a bar of soap away into my suitcase, it was replaced during turndown service. As a guest at El Palace, you need for nothing – and then some.
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FAQs
Q: What is the address of El Palace Barcelona?
A: The address of El Palace Barcelona is Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 668, L’Eixample, 08010 Barcelona, Spain.
Q: When did El Palace Barcelona open?
A: El Palace Barcelona opened in 1919.
Q: How many rooms and suites are there at El Palace Barcelona?
A: There are 120 rooms and suites in total.
