Barcelona Smart Splurges

Smart Splurges

Putting together a Barcelona agenda that assures rewarding cultural encounters, memorable hotel stays, and select high-end perks that add up to trip-of-a-lifetime memories isn’t just a matter of spending more money – with so many choices, you’ve got to know where to spend your more money. From hotels offering just the right combination of location, historical ambiance, and state-of-the-art élan to destination-defining culinary and shopping experiences, our Barcelona Smart Splurges may require a slight increase in your travel budget, but they're certainly worth the extra euros!

Smart Splurge    Great Value
This adorable boutique hotel on secluded Plaza Sant Felip Neri was once an 18thcentury palace (some parts of the building date to the 12th century). The 22 eclectic rooms all have bold and original paintings over the beds, craftsman-fi nished ceilings and stonework, and velvet draping, as well as plasma-screen TVs and WiFi. The rooftop terrace affords great neighborhood views, while the restaurant offers classic Spanish, Egyptian, and North African cuisine.
C/Sant Sever 5; Barcelona; 011-34-093-304-0655; www.hotelneri.com
Tags: luxury | hotel
Housed in one of the city’s tallest buildings, the Hotel Arts has the best views in all of Barcelona. The Ritz-Carlton–owned property recently refurbished its 483 rooms (even though it’s only 17 years old, built for the 1992 Olympics). Rooms are sleek, with modular, dark-wood furnishings and large pink marble bathrooms. Floors 42 and 43 host a Six Senses Spa, and downstairs, Adrià-trained chef Sergi Arola’s eponymous restaurant serves up inventive tapas. And the big fi sh sculpture outside? A Frank Gehry original.
Carrer de la Marina 19–21; Barcelona; 011-39-93-221-1000; www.ritzcarlton.com
Tags: luxury | hotel | expensive | editor pick
Helicopter ride
The unforgettable bird’s-eye view of the city and the coast is worth the steep price of these helicopter rides, ranging from a five-minute flight ($67) and a 10-minute flight along the coast ($118) to a 35-minute flight to Montserrat ($355).
Cat Helicopters; Passeig de l’Escullera, Moll Adossat s/n; Barcelona; 011-34-93-224-0710; www.cathelicopters.com
Tags: tour | things to do
This cool and elegant spot in upscale L’Eixample churns out contemporary Catalan fare such...more
C/Aribau 58; Barcelona; 011-34-93-323-9490; www.cincsentits.com
Tags: international travel | restaurant | expensive | wine | editor pick
The new-wave Catalan tapas, called tastets, at this swank industrial space include globally...more
C/Comerç 24; Barcelona; 011-34-93-319-2102; www.comerc24.com
Tags: restaurant | expensive | wine | small plates
Reserve a terrace table at this pricey waterfront outpost, where succulent seafood is paired...more
Moll d’Espanya; Maremàgnum; Barcelona; 011-34-93-221-3911; www.mondobcn.com
Tags: restaurant | views | expensive | seafood
Ici et Là
At this design emporium, over 30 international artists sell their one-off or limited-edition wares ranging from furniture to decorative items.
Plaça Santa Maria 2; Barcelona; 011-34-93-268-1167; www.icietla.com
Tags: international travel | design | shopping | eclectic | editor pick
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