"Why book? Look no further if you’re a businessperson visiting the Fira conference center, or a leisure traveler who values peace and quiet over staying in the thick of things. Set the scene The only luxury hotel in the Poble Sec/Plaça d'Espanya area, new InterContinental Barcelona offers great-value, yet elegant stays for travelers who don’t mind not being smack bang in tourist central. The building may look a bit underwhelming from the outside, but the chic and airy interior common areas, with their high ceilings and statement art pieces, are those of a modern lifestyle hotel. This is an ideal base for outdoor activities in Montjuïc, the Joan Miró museum, and Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, as well as for the Fira Barcelona Convention Center, so expect a heady mix of relaxed holiday-makers, art enthusiasts, and suits.The backstory A ban on new-build hotels in central Barcelona has meant that global brands like this one have opted to repurpose existing hotels in what some might call unexpected locations. That said, InterContinental and Spanish-based design consultancy Brime Robbins have done a beautiful job of giving what used to be a rather grotty Crowne Plaza a miraculous glow-up worthy of both the brand and the destination in 2023. The rooms Rooms are spacious, comfortable and unfussy, with a classic beige, white, and blue color scheme. Sleep quality is top-notch with super comfy King Size beds, while both sound and light proofing in the rooms is excellent. The most popular rooms are the classic rooms with access to the Club InterContinental lounge. At 450 square feet, they are some of the largest in the city at this price point, while the added advantage of the lounge includes privileges such as private airport pick-up and transfer and, better still, complimentary drinks and snacks from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Food and drink With so many excellent dining options in Barcelona, InterContinental opted to go big or go home, and the policy has definitely paid off. Quirat restaurant by Victor Torres, Spain’s youngest chef ever to be awarded a Michelin star, is turning into an under-the-radar foodie hotspot. Its 18K and 24K tasting menus feature unconventional dishes like shrimp tartare with caviar, and the surprisingly delicious but not for the faint of heart sea cucumber with spicy piparra pepper and pig’s ear. Arrel restaurant does a monthly Sunday brunch buffet, complete with free-flowing cocktails, wine and oysters, that’s not to be missed. The spa Give yourself at least a couple of hours to splash around in the various water jets before kicking back on a hot-stone bed in the spa. While you’re in the pampering mood, a Natura Bissé treatment from one of the experienced therapists is a worthwhile investment. The neighborhood/area Sandwiched between Barcelona’s teeming old town and the green hill of Montjuïc, the Poble Sec district doesn’t attract as much tourist traffic as its buzzier neighbors. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Staying here allows you the luxury of eating out in nearby neighborhood haunts like Denassus, Taberna Noroeste and Mano Rota, and going for long, rambling walks through the parks of Montjuïc and around its art museums and cactus garden, while still being within a short metro or taxi ride of the city’s main tourist attractions. The service Staff are genuinely kind and helpful but in a laid-back, friendly way, without being overly formal or obsequious. For families Families are encouraged either to book a Family Suite, which combines an Executive Suite and a Classic/Premium room, or the Presidential Suite, which has one bedroom with a king bed and another with two twins. The hotel offers a babysitting service. Eco effort The hotel has been BIOSPHERE© certified by the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI) and named among the top 10 Hotel Sustainability and Rehabilitation Projects in Spain by the 2022 Re-Think Hotel awards.There are single-use plastic containers in the bathrooms and guest rooms have filtered water in reusable glass bottles. There is also an urban rooftop garden that reduces energy consumption and delivers home-grown herbs and aromatic plants to the hotel’s restaurants. Accessibility Ramps are in place throughout the hotel, including the bathrooms in the public spaces. Four rooms on the ground floor are wheelchair adapted with accessible bathrooms, wardrobes and beds. The elevator buttons have Braille characters. ^Anything left to mention? The new InterContinental is like a multi-tiered birthday cake with a bit of something for everyone. The cherry on top is the sprawling rooftop with its glass swimming pool and panoramic views - perfect for sipping cocktails and catching rays." - Isabelle Kliger
