Review: Grand Hotel Central Barcelona Profile

A grand building in Barcelona has reopened after an extensive refurbishment. Quentin Long checks in and finds it difficult to check out.

In a city resplendent with Gothic cathedrals, historic art, beautiful beaches, and a thriving culinary scene it might come as a surprise that one of the highlights could in fact be your accommodation. Located within the heart of the Gothic Quarter, the Grand Hotel Central Barcelona proves just that, offering a sophisticated respite from the outside bustle, while still exuding the Catalan city’s charm.

Grand Hotel Central Summary

With outstanding service, incredible design, a beautiful rooftop pool and a lounge right in the heart of the most scenic parts of Barcelona, Grand Central Hotel is over-delivering and therefore incredible value for a five-star hotel in Barcelona.

Connecting the Gothic Quarter and the El Born neighbourhoods of Barcelona there is no better location in Barcelona.

Hurry, this luxury hotel is a very rare find and will not be a secret for long.

the pool and building exterior of Grand Hotel Central Barcelona — Soak up sweeping views of Barcelona from Grand Hotel Central.

Grand Hotel Central back story

The tallest building in Barcelona when it was completed in 1926 the mansion was designed and funded by a great Catalonian industrialist, Francesc Cambó.

It is a great example of the uniquely Catalonian (aren’t most things in Barcelona uniquely Catalonian) 20th century movement Noucentisme.

The building was turned into a hotel in 2005 and then bought by new managers who have invested in a complete refurbishment to create a luxury experience that re-opened in March 2024.

the building exterior of Grand Hotel Central Barcelona — Grand Hotel Central Barcelona has come a long way since then.

One of the great secrets of the building is Casa Cambó, a rooftop villa not open to guests yet.

Departing with convention and thanks to installing one of the first lifts in Barcelona, Cambó created a villa on top of the building for his family to live in while other residents had the floors below.

The gardens of the villa are still flourishing today, the oranges on the trees are visible from the rooftop. The villa is likely to be used as an event space in the future (the original family library is an event space today).

the library at Grand Hotel Central Barcelona — The historic library is home to Cambó’s personal literary collection.

First Impressions

The neoclassical façade of the lower floors, consistent with the Noucentist design, implies a palatial grand lobby to be found inside. But looks can be deceiving.

the lobby entrada of Grand Hotel Central Barcelona — The lobby offers a sneak peek of the hotel’s grandeur.

Stepping off Via Laitana (the other Ramblas) there are no spacious towering ceilings or ostentatious chandeliers, but rather a warm, homely compact art gallery, lobby and lounge area.

the sofas at the lobby of Grand Hotel Central Barcelona — The colourful lobby features plush furnishings.

The check-in desks just inside the entrance foyer, are opposite the original gilded lift shaft which gives you a sense of the history of the building.

Spacious lounges and sculptures between the new lifts on the far wall and the check-in desk provide a private comfy lounge within which to decompress and rest tired arms and legs after a day of exploring and shopping.

A gallery room tucked off the foyer hides the spacious library-styled guest services area where two concierges attend visitors’ needs behind two enormous wooden art deco office desks. A number of artworks add colour and life to the beautifully lit space; the Doberman sculptured from recycled timber and shoes is a personal favourite.

floor-to-ceiling bookshelves inside the library at Grand Hotel Central Barcelona — Immerse yourself in a good read at the library.

The room

The rooms are an elegant design featuring a blonde wood and dusty pale blue-grey fabric palette with small gold finishes.

the deluxe room at Grand Hotel Central Barcelona — The chic deluxe room exudes elegance.

Blonde wood floorboards meet similarly coloured vertical slats that curve around the room creating a barrier between the bathroom anteroom and the bedroom. The dichotomy between the rigid uniform parallel slats and curved walls they create is strangely enchanting.

The lighting is well-designed with soft LEDs accentuating the slatted walls blurring the delineation between the two rooms.

a look inside the thermal suite at Grand Hotel Central Barcelona — Get pampered in the Thermal Suite sauna.

The bath, shower and toilet are contained behind a solid wall and door. The black tiles within are a slightly jarring contrast to the rest of the muted colours in the wider room.

a look inside the superior room at Grand Hotel Central Barcelona — Bed down in the Superior Room.

A bountiful kind-sized bed with countless oversized pillows is set off again with careful lighting and fixtures.

Luxury bathroom products are from local artisanal perfumery Carner.

the bath and toilet inside Grand Hotel Central Barcelona — The bathroom comes with anti-steam mirrors. (Image: Quentin Long)

The facilities

The absolute highlight is the rooftop terrace, lounge and pool, aptly named La Terraza Del Central. The three-tiered terrace carries lounges and day beds next to the pool before dining tables and chairs on the next two levels.

the rooftop dining at La Terraza Del Central — Relax with a tipple at the rooftop terrace.

Shade for the top two levels comes via a large canvas-covered cabana. The magnificent views over the Barcelona rooftops with the infinity edge pool and relaxed lounge soundtrack are the essence of a chilled Barcelona day.

Balinese beds by the rooftop pool at Grand Hotel Central Barcelona — Enjoy the sun from one of the Balinese beds by the pool.

Coffee, tea, lunch, cocktails and dinner are all served here and from about 11am-1am it is well used by locals and guests alike. The menu for meals ranges from simple salads to Iberico jamon, oysters from France and burgers and sandwiches or seabass. The small wine list is all locals except of course Tattinger.

a bowl of food with drink on the table at Grand Hotel Central Barcelona — Indulge in Mediterranean fare at La Terraza Del Central. (Image: Quentin Long)

An open breakfast restaurant on the lower ground has views of the ubiquitous narrow medieval laneways of the El Born. The buffet is expansive.

A new upmarket restaurant is set to open in the middle of the year, Can Bo. The Spanish-style eatery will serve up Tapas and Platillos with a significant wine list on the street front.

the dining interior of Can Bo Restaurant, Grand Hotel Central Barcelona — Relish in Spanish flavours at Can Bo Restaurant.

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The location

It is very difficult to find a better position. Opposite the Medieval Barcelona Cathedral, between El Born and the Gothic Quarter, you are in the heart of the Barcelona experience.

the balcony view at Grand Hotel Central Barcelona — Stay at the Grand Hotel Central beneath the Barcelona skyline. (Image: Quentin Long)

What we loved

Ah, everything.

But as always, it is the service that makes the best hardware turn into an exceptional experience.

The service was impeccable. Relaxed but perfect across the entire breadth of the experience; from the rooftop to the front desk and restaurant. The concierge’s knowledge and specific and detailed recommendations were so flawless I had to return to her desk to thank her several times.

the rooftop pool with cabanas at Grand Hotel Central Barcelona — Bask in the sun at the rooftop pool.

What we would change

Struggling here, but just a shame Can Bo, the up-market Spanish restaurant was not open during our stay.

a look inside Can Bo Restaurant, Grand Hotel Central Barcelona — Sample delicious wines and tapas at Can Bo Restaurant.

Details

Address: Via Laietana, 30 – 08003 Barcelona

Phone number: +34 932 957 900

Website: grandhotelcentral.com

Heading to Barcelona? Follow our comprehensive city guide.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Review: Grand Hotel Central Barcelona