Serras Hotel Barcelona

Occupying the building in the vibrant Barrio Gótico where Pablo Picasso had his first studio, the Serras Barcelona brings a modern interpretation of Barcelona’s Art Nouveau heritage into its vision of an elegant boutique hotel.

The Serras Hotel Barcelona has transformed the 18th-century townhouse into a sleek urban retreat with a trendy atmosphere, world-class amenities, and dedicated personal service.

The design

The urban chic of the Serras Hotel Barcelona comes through in different ways throughout the hotel.

The vast reception area has the feel of an industrial warehouse converted into an upmarket loft, the rooms and suites introduce smart urban chic that seems to mix New York look with contemporary Catalan style, and the rooftop terrace has a minimalist vibe.

In tribute to Barcelona’s industrial past, Designer Eva Martínez used iron, wood, and traditional black and white tiles, enriched with an occasional Art Deco glamour, all paired with the best quality accessories.

The rooms

The twenty-eight rooms are large, chic, and comfortable and come with balconies that offer a front-row seat to a trendy neighborhood with its Port Vell.

The interiors feature luxury bathtubs by Italian designer Rexa, rain showers inset with soft lighting by Hansgrohe and designer beds. They also come with the latest tech, including complimentary Wi-Fi, a smart HD TV, and a wireless sound system.

The rooftop

The fashionable Rooftop El Sueño is a decked chill-out spot with a plunge pool, olive trees, and sensational port views. It’s a perfect hangout for cocktails by the pool, but it also is a great setting for a serene breakfast or other meals.

That said, Informal, the restaurant in the lobby run by the Michelin-starred Chef Marc Gascons, steals the limelight with inventive interpretations of traditional Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine.

There is also the 24-hour mezzanine bar Le Nine, which overlooks the lobby and restaurant and magically transforms from a midmorning coffee hub to a vibrant late-night destination for cocktails and DJs.

The guests of Serras Barcelona enjoy expansive views of the port from the front of the hotel and the medieval streets and gargoyles of the Barrio Gótico from the back. It’s a great location from which to explore Barcelona.

Review with contributions by Tara Stevens, courtesy of Jetsetter.com

in our opinion

History, art, and sensual pleasures come together at the Serras on Barcelona's celebrated Gothic quarter. It's a great urban hideaway with modern understated decor.

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What we love

• Ideal for weekend breaks, business trips and luxury holidays in the heart of BarcelonaBoasting a prime address near Barri Gotic, El Born and Barceloneta (and incidentally sharing it with the historical Picasso studio)
• The hotel’s stylish rooftop terrace, offering gorgeous views over this trendy Barcelona neighborhood, the Mediterranean Sea and the new Marina of Port Vell. It's a place to be for the cocktails by the pool
• We love how the building’s neo-classical facade works with airy, light interiors: elegant and fresh, the sleek design combines New York and Catalan styles
• The rooms have good sizes, and all feature a balcony overlooking the city or the sea. The minibars are well stocked with half-bottles of Ruinart champagne, Belvedere vodka, and locally distilled Gin Mare. Toiletries and scented candles by cool brand Malin + Goetz
• The Informal is a grill restaurant, great for steaks and seafood, with the Michelin-starred chef Marc Gascon at the helm.

What you should know

• The Passeig de Colon is a busy thoroughfare, but the rooms are superbly soundproofed
• A city tax (a few euro per person per night, for a maximum of seven nights), will be collected by the hotel at checkout.
• The façade of the hotel was created by Francesc Daniel Molina, who also designed the iconic Plaça Reial (which is not far from the hotel).
• Ask at the reception for directions to the Bar Zim, a tiny venue famed for exceptional Spanish wines by the glass and organic charcuterie and farmhouse cheeses — or the Ocaña, a beautiful, chandelier-sporting café ideal for brunch.