In Barcelona's Eixample District, an Historic Hotel Excels in Modern Comforts

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We hope you love the Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

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Rooms and suites on the Passeig de Gràcia

I stayed in a Junior Suite at the Majestic Hotel & Spa with two balconies overlooking the Passeig de Gràcia. My sitting room came with a squashy settee and a stack of art books. Behind the sliding doors, the bedroom flowed into a gleaming marble bathroom with a walk-in shower and jacuzzi bath. After zipping around the nearby attractions and dining in the lobby restaurant, I unwound watching the Casa Batlló illuminations on the balcony before taking a long soak.

On a temperate fall evening, I left the balcony doors ajar overnight and slept to a gentle hum from the streets below in an ultra-comfy bed with an assortment of pillow types. Above the bed hung a piece by Luis López Loza, one of the 1,000 artworks collected by the Soldevila-Casals family on display in the rooms and public areas. In fact, these are what helped me navigate this labyrinthine complex.

The 1970s extension brought the room tally to 360 units. The next round of renovations curtailed that number to 258 larger, more luxurious private domains. Among the five 9th-floor penthouses stands Barcelona’s largest hotel suite: the two-bedroom Majestic Royal Penthouse with its private terrace and jacuzzi overlooking La Sagrada Família. Residency comes with a dedicated butler and chauffeur services. I felt well taken care of during my stay with a friendly guest experience team generous with local tips and onward travel advice.

Rooftop dining at Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona

La Dolce Vitae is the Majestic’s pièce de résistance. Stretching as far as the Mediterranean Sea, this terrace restaurant skims the rooftops of La Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, the Glòries Tower: actually, it’s quicker to list the landmarks not within eyeshot. Summer guests can enjoy a dip in the rooftop pool and nightly DJ sessions.

Inclement weather – extremely rare, for Barcelona – redirected me to the equally elegant El Bar Del Majestic where Federico García Lorca spent his evenings during a six-month residency. I feasted on a plump Mediterranean sea bass filet with a medley of sauteed vegetables while listening to the resident pianist. My server also recommended the Mezcal Güell cocktail d’author with Chambord, chocolate, and lemon balancing the smoky spirit.

This bar hosts the Sweet Majestic Pastry Corner with creations by Marc Pérez incorporated into afternoon tea, gourmet brunch, and the buffet breakfast served in SOLC. This fine dining restaurant specializes in farm-to-table cooking from the Soldevila-Casals family’s smallholding in Maresme.

Breakfast was outstanding, pooling together Catalan specialties and international flavors. I spotted cold cuts of jamón ibérico alongside hummus and a selection of crusty bread for DIY pan con tomate. I suggest grabbing a table in the conservatory with a view of the botanical courtyard.

Besides the buffet, eggs and daily specials are cooked to order at the show kitchen. I opted for eggs Benedict topped with smoked river trout from the Pyrenees which powered me through lunch.

Barcelona’s secret oasis (and not-so-secret spa)

Seeing as the Majestic is a spa hotel, I’d recommend earmarking some precious vacation time for rest and relaxation. Brand new for 2024, the hotel’s basement has been reconfigured as a wellness sanctuary with a heated 12-meter (39 feet) pool and hydromassage spa.

Here, jetted beds and water cannons relieve tension and reboot circulation. The wellness zone is decorated with palm trees and mirrors that give the illusion of bathing in a patch of jungle. Guests have complimentary use of the wellness center. As numbers are capped, it’s advisable to book – especially on weekends and evenings.

Upstairs at the Majestic Spa, I enjoyed the signature Touch of Calm ritual which fused an exfoliation, wrap, and light massage using Alqvimia essential oils. My therapist chatted through the ingredients and gifted me some Natura Bissé samples to take back to my room. I’m fairly sure I drifted off from time to time and a chaotic journey to Spain was long-forgotten. The rooftop spa also touts a hydrotherapy suite available for private hire.

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Majestic Hotel & Spa: an exclusive location in Eixample

Eixample is spared the ferocity of the Ciutat Vella. However, Boqueria Market and La Rambla are just a 30-minute walk from the Majestic Hotel & Spa. The Plaça de Catalunya Aerobus stop is 10 minutes on foot and Barcelona-Sants is 10 minutes by taxi.

The Passeig de Gràcia is handy for architectural sights and the Majestic makes it easier to bag “Be the First”, Sunrise, and Night Experience tickets at Casa Batlló and Casa Milà. La Sagrada Família is a pleasant 20-minute stroll, and, with completion slated for 2025, there’s never been a better time to plan a Gaudí-focused getaway.

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