Best Luxury 4 Star Hotels in Catalonia

Take a heritage vacation by staying in this magical castle dating back to the turn of the 14th century. This Catalan ruin – said to have been inhabited by Christopher Columbus at one point – has been completely refurbished to create boutique hotel accommodation comprising 57 bedrooms. Here guests will find exposed stonework, global artefacts, patchwork rugs, stained glass windows, Tibetan textiles and Victorian bathtubs, all contributing to an antique, yet exotic feel. There are two pools, one proffering stunning views and a bar, the other tiled and nestled in the castle’s gardens. Hotel Castell d’Empordà’s restaurants serve Spanish and Asian dishes and a cellar bar provides an atmospheric spot for a drink. 

For some of the best views around, book a room at Melia Sitges with a terrace overlooking the Garraf Nature Park or Mediterranean sea. The four-star hotel has 307 types of accommodation, including suites and family rooms. Indeed it’s an excellent choice for those travelling with children; The Kids&Co programme provides special toiletries for younger travellers, chocolate milkshakes and cookies at bedtime on your arrival day. Breakfast is served buffet-style at Noray restaurant and caters to international tastes with over 100 different products, while Saffron Mediterranean Bistro has menus containing everything from light bites and cocktails, to main meals.

New to Sitges is the Sabàtic Sitges, Autograph Collection hotel. This chic hotel features 90 stylish and comfortable suites, each with a balcony or sea view terrace and interiors of neutral interiors designed by Barcelona-based interior designer, Sandra Tarruella. The hotel’s Mediterranean restaurant, Pasatempo, led by renowned Catalonian chef Rafa Peña and features an idyllic outdoor terrace. Guests can also enjoy an adults-only outdoor pool, daily wellness activities like yoga and Pilates, and stunning views of the Balearic Sea.

Villa Salvador sits on Cadaqués’ outskirts, where Mediterranean gardens shaded by pine trees offer respite close to two quiet beaches. This sixteen-room adults-only property sits on the edge of the historic fishing village, positioned on the spectacular Costa Brava peninsula, home to the Cap de Creus Natural Park. The hotel has a saltwater pool and Mediterranean restaurant, just a short walk to the village and a few minutes’ drive to the Dalí House Museum.

Elke Spa Hotel is found in Sant Feliu de Guixols, just over 10 minutes walk from the Cala del Vigatà Beach. It has 66 forms of accommodation each with minibars and huge flat-screen TVs. The rooftop wellness area offers a hammam, a sauna and a hot tub, as well as a large range of treatments. Guests can swim and sun themselves outside on the sleek terrace and dine in one of the two sophisticated restaurants. An indoor soft play area, mini club, games and babysitting services makes it ideal for those travelling with very young children.

Back in the 16th century, this mansion house on the Passeig de Colom was the home of a nobleman. Now restored as a boutique hotel, it riffs on minimalism, making the most of local wood and stone in the decor. Rooms come with welcome cakes and chocolates and Nespresso coffee machines, some with views of the port. Dine on tapas dishes in the restaurant or on the rooftop terrace (where you’ll also find its two open-air pools). Take light night drinks in the monochrome cocktail lounge and have a tinkle on its grand piano — snacks and pastries are provided here during the afternoons.

Sitting on the northeastern edge of Barcelona, Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona offers visitors to the Catalonian capital a blend of metropolitan spirit and laid-back beachside energy. With its sleek modern design and strategic position next to the Barcelona International Convention Centre, and just moments from Llevant Beach, the hotel appeals to both business travellers and leisure guests looking to stay connected without sacrificing downtime. Designed by Catalan architect Óscar Tusquets and rising 25 storeys, Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona cuts a distinctive figure on the neighbourhood’s skyline, its twin angular towers evoking the prow of a ship, a subtle reference to the nearby Mediterranean. Dining is a highlight here, with Michelin-starred Aürt providing an intimate, ingredient-led culinary experience, while the Ma’i Lobby Bar delivers relaxed all-day fine dining tapas and cocktails. Those staying in executive rooms and suites gain access to the Executive Lounge, which offers breakfast, complimentary refreshments throughout the day and drinks each evening. But the real standout is Purobeach Barcelona, their rooftop beach club complete with Balinese beds, two pools, DJ sets, and its own globally inspired restaurant, M3 Cuisine.

Located in a listed 19th-century building in the Catalan modernist style, and in the same block as La Pedrera, the H10 Casa Mimosa is an exclusive superior four-star hotel that opened its doors in 2016. The elegant, timeless interior combines cosmopolitan design with the building’s original modernist structure. There are 48 spacious rooms, the El Til•ler Restaurant, a lobby bar with access to a leafy garden with a swimming pool and sun lounger area, as well as a stunning chill-out terrace on the top floor, El Cel de Gaudí, complete with a plunge pool and stunning views of La Pedrera. The hotel also has a meeting room located in a former coach house, enabling guests to combine business and pleasure.

Part of the collection of Curio by Hilton Hotels, the designer boutique Hotel Alexandra is located in a renovated 19th-century building near Passeig de Gracia, the fashion and cultural heart of the city. The 116 rooms feature traditional features such as original mosaic flooring mixed with contemporary fixtures and furnishings in a warm but neutral palette of greys and browns. The hotel is minimal but still warm and comfortable and full of the added extras expected of a luxury residence. Suites here are extra special, many with terraces and outdoor bathtubs, and for the budding foodies, the hotel is home to a two-floor brasserie and an amazing charcuterie bar – the best place for some wine and nibbles after a hard day sight-seeing!