

7

"The pinnacle of old Barcelona glamour, this 103-year-old former Ritz sits in the very center of the city in the historic Eixample district, a stone’s throw from major shopping and tourist sights. A decadent lobby—complete with antique furnishings, hand-painted wallpaper, and sumptuous velvet seating—leads to rooms and suites named for icons who have called it home, including Josephine Baker, Salvador Dalí, and Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones, who even designed the suite that bears his name. The roof brings an informal restaurant, a pool, and an al fresco cinema that plays classic films at night, while downstairs Amar by former El Bulli head chef Rafael Zafra serves fish dishes inspired by his love for the sea. To further channel the old-world charm, the Bluesman Cocktail Bar pairs live jazz with the option of a cigar. For unwinding, rooms feature opulent marbled Roman baths, and the Mayan luxury spa includes a temazcal sauna they describe as a “pre-Hispanic spa, using volcanic rocks and medicinal herbs to cleanse and restore your mind body and soul.”" - Zoe Dubno, Siobhan Reid
Baroque opulence, formerly the Ritz, lavish fabrics, suites inspired by guests