Though the Gothic Quarter and Eixample are most frequented by tourists and travellers in Barcelona, the city’s Raval Quarter offers a more authentic, off-the-beaten-track look at life for Catalonians. This historic, vibrant quarter is chock-full of attitude and personality, and once you’ve spent time exploring its lively multicultural neighbourhoods, you can unwind with a drink and a bite to eat at one of the area’s many traditional cafes, bars, and restaurants.

The Raval Quarter might not be at the top of everyone’s Barcelona bucket list, but it certainly has a lot going for it. From art galleries such as the MACBA Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona and Maritime Museum to bookshops, studios, as well as independent boutiques that you won’t find anywhere else in the city, El Raval is the hip and happening place to be.

If you’re looking for a place to stay in the city, El Raval is a wise choice. After exploring its every nook and cranny, you’ll be able to walk to tourist hubs including the Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas, with metro stops close by, and it’s sandwiched between two of the city’s most famous food markets, La Boqueria and Mercat Sant Antoni, so you’ll never go hungry.

Below, we’ve put together six of our favourite luxury hotels in Barcelona’s Raval Quarter to ensure your next visit to our city is both as convenient and as comfortable as can be.

Casa Camper
 

Housed inside a converted nineteenth-century Gothic building, the four-star Casa Camper Hotel is a firm favourite here at Barcelonina. Located in the multicultural heart of the city, the hotel is close to galleries, bars, restaurants, and just two minutes walk from the Plaza Cataluña. It boasts beautiful boutique accommodation, with thirty rooms and ten suites, each decorated in a modern, minimalist style, without compromising on comfort, and some of its rooms are separated by a corridor, offering lounges where you can relax, catch up on emails and people watch over your balcony, overlooking the hustle and bustle of life on El Raval.

What’s particularly unique about this hotel is its Tentempié, a unique all-inclusive service that offers guests access to a buffet serving sandwiches, salads, soups, fruit, desserts, snacks, and drinks. Available 24 hours a day, it’s a great way to save money in the city and fill up before heading out on your next expedition, though the hotel’s Dos Palillos Michelin-starred restaurant is open next door if you’re in the mood for something a little more sophisticated.

Hotel 1898

Another popular choice in the area is the four-star Hotel 1898, set in a stunning 19th-century colonial-style building which overlooks the Las Ramblas promenade. As well as elegant and stylish rooms with contemporary decor and free WiFi, the hotel boasts a spectacular terrace, featuring breathtaking panoramic views over the Barcelona skyline, a real hidden gem in the midst of the city centre. If that wasn’t enough, it’s home to the only spa with a thermal circuit and pool on the Ramblas, the ultimate spot for recuperation after a day exploring the city.

As well as offering free breakfast, the hotel gives guests the chance to dine at its El Nido restaurant, serving traditional Catalan cuisine on the main floor. Dishes include Iberian ham, roast loin of veal, and cod in papillote with apple, coconut and green curry sauce. Delicious!

Hotel Midmost

The four-star boutique Hotel Midmost is situated in the middle of Catalunya square and Universitat square, offering classical avant-gardism in the centre of the city. Home to just 56 rooms and suites, reduced in recent years to increase their size and amenities, the hotel is frequented by business travellers looking for somewhere sophisticated and understated.

As well as stylish rooms decorated in cool tones with complimentary WiFi, flatscreen TVs and Nespresso machines for your morning coffee fix, the hotel’s suites boast sofabeds, claw-foot bathtubs for a relaxing soak, and balconies and terraces overlooking the city. And with its own pool, solarium and cocktail bar, you’ll probably not want to step outside again!

Hotel Bagués

Treat yourself to something a little more luxurious at the five-star Bagués. This boutique hotel is located inside of the historic El Regulador palace, built in 1850 and home to the Bagués-Masriera family’s centuries-old jewellery workshop. Today, the hotel combines Art Nouveau and Modernism, preserving the building’s original façade whilst bringing it up to the modern traveller’s exacting standards, and offering the first-class service you’d expect.

With 31 rooms and suites, boasting free WiFi, gold-leaf detailing, ebony wood, balconies, and hot tubs, the hotel is home to a museum showcasing unique pieces from the Masriera jewellery collection and has a French bistro, a rooftop tapas bar, and an outdoor pool area.

Hotel España

The four-star Hotel España is located on Calle Sant Pau, in the heart of Barcelona, close to the Ramblas and the Gran Teatre del Liceu. Considered a “jewel of Catalonian Modernism,” the hotel opened in 1859 under the name Fonda de España and was refurbished in the early 20th century by Domenech i Montaner (the arquitect of Palau de la Música), Eusebi Arnau and Ramón Casas. Today, its modernist spaces hark back to the past whilst equipped with the latest design and technology modern travellers demand.

The hotel houses Bar Arnau, where modernist elements combine with contemporary design, a local meeting point to enjoy a delicious cocktail and some delicious tapas. Once you’re done, you will enjoy the hotel’s open-air swimming pool, located on its roof, where you’ll be able to drink in a panoramic view of the Ciutat Vella – have your selfie camera at the ready!

Hotel Pulitzer
 

The stunning Hotel Pulitzer is the perfect base for a sightseeing tour around Barcelona, close to the Passeig de Gracia, Casa Batlló and the Gothic Quarter.

Inside, you’ll find modern furnishings, marble bathrooms, leather sofas, living rooms, canopy beds, and, if you treat yourself to a night in The Pulitzer Suite, a private terrace-solarium, complete with a Instagram-worthy garden situated on the rooftop of the hotel, with a wooden floor, cloth hammocks, sunshades and a shower with a huge shower tray. Yes, please!

The hotel employed a group of nutrition experts to create a mouth-watering buffet that can be adapted to all kinds of tastes and needs. From their crunchy butter croissants to natural yoghurts, assortment of cheeses, freshly squeezed fruit juices and more, there’s no better way to start your day. Breakfast is available for 18€, though for guests, it’s complimentary.

There you have it – six of the very best hotels in Barcelona’s Raval Quarter. Wherever you choose to stay, depend on Barcelonina when you’re looking for a Barcelona Local Guide. We reveal authentic spots, quiet squares and charming streets and give you a taste of the real Barcelona, off the beaten path. Get in touch today to find out more and book a tour for 2020.