Barcelona is a city that does it all—beach days and Gaudí, tapas bars and towering cathedrals, late-night dancing and long, lazy lunches. It’s rich in design, full of personality, and packed with neighbourhoods that each have their own distinct rhythm. From the elegant streets of Eixample to the buzzing back alleys of El Born, every corner feels alive with energy.
Here are my top Barcelona hotels under $500 a night (though prices can jump during peak season). Whether you’re after a leafy garden hideaway, a rooftop bar with skyline views, or a sleek suite steps from the action, these stays deliver style, comfort, and a great location—without blowing the whole budget.
Almanac Barcelona
Just off Passeig de Gràcia in Eixample—a neighborhood packed with some of Gaudí’s most iconic work and Barcelona’s best boutiques—Almanac is close to the action but feels calm, curated, and quietly stylish. Inside, it’s all blond wood, warm lighting, and a quiet confidence—designed less to impress and more to let you exhale. The rooms feel smart and serene, with big windows, marble-accented bathrooms, and one of those minibars where you actually want to try everything.
This is a hotel where personalized service leads the way: staff go out of their way to tailor each stay, and the 24/7 concierge team is always ready to help guests experience the city like locals. There’s a small but well-equipped gym, a treatment room offering Anne Sémonin facials and massages, and a sauna for decompressing after a day out. Head to the rooftop for cocktails and vistas (plus a small pool if you need a dip between plans), or down to Virens, the buzzy ground-floor restaurant where plant-forward dishes are treated like main events.
- Fora Reserve perks include $125 food and beverage credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Wittmore Hotel
Tucked down one of the narrowest alleys in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, Wittmore feels like a secret members’ club you’re lucky to have found. With plush red velvet, dim lighting, and a strict no-photos rule, it’s a sultry, adults-only hideaway built for privacy and romance. The 22 rooms echo the mood—tartan fabrics, bold wallpaper, and dark-wood furnishings—most overlooking a pretty interior courtyard.
Dining at Contraban is a highlight, with Spanish-Mediterranean small plates served in a snug, softly lit dining room. Upstairs, the rooftop terrace—home to a plunge pool and candy-striped loungers—is a suntrap by day and a cocktail spot by night. For the ultimate romantic experience, book the Roofless Suite and privatize the terrace for a night under the stars, complete with a specially made-up bed.
- Fora Reserve perks include $100 food and beverage credit, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hotel Pulitzer Barcelona
Straddling the line between the Gothic Quarter and Eixample, Hotel Pulitzer is as central as it gets—and captures the spirit of Barcelona, where old-world character meets bold, contemporary style. Behind its classic 1920s façade lies a maximalist mash-up of velvet sofas, zebra-print rugs, and aquamarine bathroom tiles, amped up with bold color and serious personality. Rooms aren’t huge, but they’re stylish and smart, with sumptuous beds, Malin + Goetz products, and balconies in many.
At lunch, The Greenhouse hits a fresh, unfussy note with a menu full of local produce, organic wines, and artisan desserts—all served in a leafy space flooded with natural light. When the sun goes down, the rooftop terrace steals the show on warm nights with DJ sets, cocktails, and a cool local crowd. The all-day lobby bar is an easy hangout, staff are friendly and attentive, and there’s a fleet of bikes and e-scooters for city exploring.
- Fora Perks include a complimentary glass of wine per guest, guaranteed extended check-in/out and an upgrade whenever possible.
Kimpton Vividora Barcelona
Kimpton’s debut in Spain makes a confident statement in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. Though the neighbourhood is among Barcelona’s busiest, the hotel offers a sense of calm and thoughtful design. Rooms are warm and contemporary, with terracotta tones, mustard accents, and ochre bathrobes. Thoughtful touches—like local Ocean Beer, Vifa Bluetooth speakers, and sachets of sun cream—add character. Suites are worth the upgrade for expansive terraces with views of the W Hotel, the cathedral, Torre Agbar, and even the spires of La Sagrada Família.
Dining is centred around Casa de Vivi, a three-part experience that begins with Bar Got (complimentary wine hour daily), continues with Fauna’s modern Mediterranean plates, and ends on the rooftop at Terraza de Vivi, where weekend DJs and skyline views set the tone. There’s a small but photogenic rooftop pool, a gym, complimentary bikes and skateboards, and sunrise yoga in summer. Pet-friendly to its core, the hotel has welcomed everything from dogs to parrots.
- Fora’s IHG Destined partner perks include $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hotel El Palace Barcelona
Hotel El Palace Barcelona has been charming guests since 1919—originally opening as the Ritz and a favourite haunt of Salvador Dalí. Its old-school glamour shines in every corner, starting with the lobby alone. The Great Hall, which doubles as a bar, feels like a step into Versailles, with hand-painted wallpaper, oversized iron street lamps, and imposing Greek statues setting a scene of grand opulence.
Upstairs, the rooftop garden, once a helipad, is a garden oasis dotted with classical statues, pergolas, and a pool that’s perfect for a sunny afternoon. Downstairs, the Mayan-style spa is hidden in what used to be the hotel’s coal cellar—now a cave-like escape complete with a Temazcal. Rooms are classic and cocooning, with deep bathtubs and a silk-trimmed hush, while downstairs, the wood-panelled Bluesman bar plays host to live jazz under velvet ceilings.
- Fora Perks include a $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Alma Barcelona
If you’re going to stretch the budget a little, stretch it here. Alma Barcelona delivers quiet, unshowy luxury in the heart of the Eixample—an elegant, understated retreat just behind Passeig de Gràcia. It feels more like a private home than a hotel with sculptural furniture, warm lighting, contemporary art, and an easy sense of calm. You’re greeted with a glass of cava and service is personal and intuitive without being over-attentive.
Rooms are sleek and considered—fingerprint entry, herringbone floors, a free non-alcoholic minibar, and Bulgari bath products. The Signature Suite feels like a chic Barcelona apartment, complete with leafy terrace. The garden courtyard is a lovely spot for breakfast or late drinks; upstairs, the seasonal rooftop bar brings city views and DJs in summer. There’s no rooftop pool, but a small spa and indoor pool cover that base.
- Fora Reserve perks include a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Dose of Dutton 