We review the Loft Suite at Hotel Arts Barcelona and embrace the beach views and personal butlers
An urban break beside the sea.
Barcelona is always a complete delight. The streets are packed with gorgeous architectural facades, exceptional churches, buzzing eateries, and countless works of street art. Plus, the city has the added bonus of being strategically located along the coast, offering access to a selection of urban beaches. And if you’re looking for a beachside city break, then a stay in one of the Loft Suites at Hotel Arts Barcelona will take your breath away.
While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.
A review of the Loft Suite at Hotel Arts Barcelona
A short 30-minute drive from Barcelona’s international airport, relaxation starts as soon as you arrive at Hotel Arts Barcelona. The hotel is housed in a breathtaking building–the tallest in the city–designed by Bruce Graham and features a geometric exo-skeleton that allows for extra space in the interior. The result is that the hotel is home to the largest rooms in the city by sq-m, each of which offers either views of the stunning surrounding beaches or the epic city skyline, including the iconic La Sagrada Familia.
Penthouse perks
For guests staying in the Loft and Penthouse Suites, the experience gets even sweeter when the butlers collect you for your own private check-in, complete with Cava and canapes, in The Club. In fact, The Club, only accessible to Loft and Penthouse guests serves four different menus across the day, including an epic breakfast where the egg chef will cook you the most perfect omelette to order and you can kickstart your day with a selection of local cheeses, meats, fresh breads, and other delights.
Once we were checked in, we were taken up to our three-floor suite and given a quick lesson on working the different gadgets, including digital controls for curtains, finding hidden TVs, and how to work the shower with its many different functions. This is the kind of place I could get used to, and quick!
The Loft Suite
One of the most beautiful parts of the entire space is undoubtedly the views which take in the beach, including the neighbouring marina, and I’ve got to admit that more than a few hours were spent on the couch reading books from the delightfully curated library, snacking on local goodies from the minibar, and watching the yachts move in and out as the sun danced across the water.
Attached to the open living and dining area is a fully kitted out kitchen, complete with oven for entertaining. The furniture here was designed by celebrated Spanish designer Jaime Tresserra who is renowned for his clever woodwork that blur the lines of form and function.
On the top floor, the sleeping quarters are positioned such that you can wake up to the water every morning, truly a magical way to start any day. Yet the black out blinds ensure that you sleep effortlessly, helped also by the giant size and comfort of the bed.
The marble bathroom continues the views and one of the highlights for me was soaking in the bath with a book and a glass of local red wine – heaven. When I realised that there were no bath salts in the room, the butler soon had me sorted out with some.
Dining and drinks
While we usually took breakfast in The Club, one morning we ventured down to the spread at Lokal and were wowed by the selection. Tortilla de Patatas, a churro station, and a range of fresh fruits and delightful pastries were on offer to sate even the deepest hunger. I loved the fact that you could also dine al-fresco here and take in the sunshine with your morning coffee.
Do yourself a favour and book a table at The Secret Pantry when you visit. While I don’t want to give too much away, I can say that the food here is exquisite. We had a wonderful waiter called Antonio who paired a fabulous selection of local wines with our range of dishes, each of which showcased the very best of Catalonian ingredients. To say that we were flawed by the meal would be an understatement, with the Creamed Potato with Organic Egg a surprising highlight.
Though closed for a well-earned holiday during our trip, the hotel is also home to two Michelin-starred Enoteca Paco Pérez. The brainchild of Spanish Chef Paco Pérez, the restaurant is beloved for its casual charm that captures the relaxed spirit that Pérez himself is known for.
New for the summer season in 2023, Roka Barcelona is soon to open in the hotel’s Marina Coastal Club, bringing with it the international eatery’s signature Japanese cuisine.
Things to do
You’ll not easily want for things to do at Hotel Arts Barcelona. As the name suggests, the hotel is filled to the brim with over 500 pieces of original art, from paintings to sculptures. On the same level as the lobby, We Collect Barcelona is a gallery collaboration between the hotel and the eponymous Madrid art collective. Every month, up-and-coming local and national artists are showcased here to help give young artists a leg-up into the industry. When we visited, Alba Galocha was showing her unique textile pieces which included abstract stitching and even hanging needles.
At the Spa, we booked a private water room and enjoyed the Jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room – complete with more of those beach views. My Relaxing Massage was completely indulgent and performed by a wonderful therapist.
If you’re visiting during the summer months, you’ll need to take advantage of the Marina Coastal Club which overlooks a striking Frank Gehry statue of a fish. Home to two swimming pools, an outdoor Jacuzzi, and two restaurants, it’s an idyllic place to be opposite the beach.
For those who want to get their sweat on, the gym here is surprisingly large in size with countless cardio machines alongside a range of free weights and even a yoga studio. I preferred taking a stroll in my “backyard” every morning and take in the beach volleyball players, surfers, and sandcastles at the neighbouring beaches – bliss.
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