What it’s like staying at the W Barcelona

What is W Barcelona?

Dating back to its opening in 2009, the W Barcelona is a large hotel with 473 rooms and suites in a building fittingly crafted to resemble a sailboat; it was designed by Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill. The 26-story property offers great views of both the city and the Mediterranean Sea, and its beachfront location makes it popular for travelers looking to relax by Playa Sant Sebastia. It has a pool with W’s signature Wet Deck bar, a beach club, a handful of restaurants and a spa.

How to book W Barcelona

The location

I arrived via the high-speed train from Madrid to the Barcelona-Sants station and splurged for a cab that cost about $20. Public transportation in Barcelona is fantastic; the routes are easy to understand, and buses and trains come frequently. There’s a bus stop right at the W if you want to save some cash. From the train station, it’s about 45 minutes using public transport versus about 20 minutes in a taxi.

From the airport, it’s about a 30-minute drive to the hotel and will set you back between $35 and $40 dollars via cab.

The hotel itself is a bit out of the way from the city center, but it’s an easy bus or metro ride to all the major attractions in Barcelona. Alternatively, you could take a 30-minute walk up Las Ramblas and be right in the center of the action fairly easily. Keep in mind that while at the hotel, you don’t necessarily feel like you’re in the heart of the city — though you will be able to see stunning views of it from your window.

The hotel is, however, in the heart of bustling Barceloneta, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Barcelona that is now best known for its nightlife. Of course, you’re right on the beach with a boardwalk that spans miles and is home to dozens of alfresco seafood restaurants peppered along the oceanfront.

First impressions

As the cab pulled up, the hotel’s valet attendant opened the car door for me and took my luggage before I’d even known what hit me. The subtle ocean breeze cooled down the temperature outside — a balmy 75 degrees Fahrenheit — as I walked up to the entrance. I hadn’t even passed the promenade and was already feeling fancy as the doorman opened the massive glass doors that led me to the colorful art deco-inspired lobby.

As I entered, I realized it was, first and foremost, a party hotel. From the shimmering silver tiled walls that lead your eye to the impressive glass ceiling, to the designated elevator that takes you straight to the rooftop nightclub, to the red walls and carpets lining the hallways, I felt like I had checked into a Miami-style “it” in the early aughts. Although the W Barcelona was built in 2009 and renovated in 2016, everything felt slightly dated, though not entirely worn.

Check-in was easy and quick. There are six check-in desks, so though I arrived mid-afternoon — a busy time — my wait was maybe two minutes, maximum. If you need to wait in the lobby, there are fun seating options, including some hanging chairs.

The rooms

Food and drink

At the W Barcelona, there are a handful of bars and restaurants: the 26th-floor Japanese restaurant Noxe, a Peruvian restaurant called Coya, a meat-centric grill called Fire, the Wet Deck pool bar, the W Lounge, and the Salt Restaurant and Beach Club.

The W Lounge sits right off the main lobby, with views of the beach and a deck overlooking the ocean. It serves specialty cocktails with fancy-sounding names like Paradise Chido and Golden Tie. When I asked the bartender for his recommendation, he said those drinks were premixed and “made for kids.” From what I gleaned, he meant someone without a palette; in other words, they were all quite sweet.

I went with it anyway, ordering the Kaulhounia ($16), and, well, he was right. There were some bitters in the mix, but overall, the cocktail was refreshing and tasted like a light, alcoholic creamsicle.

When I asked the bartender’s recommendation for drink number two, he suggested a spicy margarita; it’s a drink I can easily (and often) make at home, and this version wasn’t my favorite. This was especially disappointing because Barcelona is renowned as a cocktail city. Overall, the W Lounge cocktails came up short for me.

The food at the lounge, however, was an improvement. I went with a classic smokey toast with red peppers ($16) and anchovies ($6.50). The salt with the tomato and charred toast was mouth-watering.

But I found the real showstopper experience after catching the elevator straight up to Coya — a Peruvian-inspired restaurant marketed to foodies and culture enthusiasts.

Once I stepped out of the elevator, I was transported to a different world. The vibe was rainforest meets hipster ceramics class with a heavy dose of Barcelona modernism. The space design was superb, but the food was even better.

The cocktail menu was incredibly extensive.

On the server’s suggestion, I started with the Pisco sour. It’s a strong sour, so you need to really like sours to like this one, but man, was it tasty.

I paired it with the Atun Chifa, Coya’s spicy take on ceviche. The tuna was incredibly fresh — the spice hit after, with a slow and subtle build — and served with a cracker featuring sesame seeds and seaweed. It took everything in my power not to drink the marinade after I finished the tuna. (Okay, I did drink some of the marinade, and I’m not sorry about it.) This was maybe the best ceviche I’ve ever had.

For my main course, I ordered the Iberian pork with homemade guava barbecue sauce and a side of baby potatoes. The potatoes were perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The green sauce that came drizzled on them paired perfectly.

I was skeptical of the guava sauce, but it was delightful — light and citrus-infused but not overpowering.

Coya is one of those restaurants where intentionality and thought go into every ingredient served. If it comes on the plate, eat it. The grilled lime on the side? Squeeze that over the pork. It’s better that way. They know what they’re doing.

I also opted for room service a few times, and the longest I ever waited for the delivery was 20 minutes.

I ordered a salmon Caesar salad. The salmon came warm, the anchovies were canned but still good and there was an appropriate amount of dressing mixed in. Overall, a great salad. The basque cheesecake was a late-night decision (as one does). It was sublime and less sweet than its American counterpart; it was missing a crust and was overall lighter and fluffier than I was accustomed to.

I also want to note that the plateware was fantastic across the board. Every bowl and glass featured a fun or colorful design.

Amenities and service

The W Barcelona’s gym was quite extensive. The equipment looked clean and new and offered nearly anything travelers could need, including treadmills facing the ocean.

I looked around but ultimately opted for a run along the water instead of the indoor treadmill.

There’s also a full-service spa with all of the standard saunas, relaxation areas and pools that you’d expect at an upscale hotel spa

Additionally, guests can book therapeutic treatments, ranging from body scrubs to massages to beauty treatments like manicures or waxes.

Since I visited during a colder month, the pools were closed, but the oceanside decks with drink and food service remained open. I ended up heading over to the beach deck late one afternoon.

The temperature still hit a high of 75, and sitting on the beach while staring at the water is healing no matter what time of year. The two-minute walk made carrying towels and additional clothes easy.

Why W Barcelona might not be for you

For those who want a top-tier, luxe hotel experience, this may not be the best fit. However, if having one of the best views in the entire city, comfortable accommodations and good dining options tick all your boxes, then this hotel is worth staying at for at least one night — especially if you can book it with Marriott Bonvoy points.

If you only have a few days in Barcelona and are looking to spend most of your time in museums or historic sites, the W Barcelona is a bit out of the way. You might be more comfortable in something more in the center of town.

Additionally, it might not be a prime choice for travelers who aren’t interested in club-hopping with Gen-Zers and millennials.

Accessibility

The W Barcelona has accessible parking and three accessible pools with hydraulic lifts. The main entrance offers a sloped entry, and service animals are welcome. The primary way to navigate through the property is the elevators, which aren’t the largest, but they have enough space to maneuver one wheelchair.

The hallways are very wide and can accommodate wheelchair navigation as well.

The hotel has both accessible rooms and suites as well as adapted bathrooms with portable shower chairs. Access doors offer 81.2 centimeters (about 40 inches) of clear width.

The beach that the hotel faces in Barceloneta also offers free assisted bathing services. Keep in mind that the operating hours are limited. There is also additional equipment — like floating wheelchairs and water crutches — available, and there’s a hoist for transfers to beach chairs.

Checking out

I had a fantastic experience at the W Barcelona. Waking up every morning to watch the sunrise over one of my favorite cities can’t be quantified. If you’re lucky enough to stay here during the summer months, the location is even better; it has pools and beachside dining options for days. This is an ideal Mediterranean weekend getaway spot if you’re jaunting around this pocket of Europe when it’s warm.

Beyond the view and potential summer fun, it doesn’t quite offer the amenity experience one would expect, given the price point. I’m happy I stayed there, but I might opt for a different hotel on my next trip to this beautiful Catalonian city.

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