A top-class turndown

By Justin Quirk

February 2025

BarcelonaPerfect somewheres

Never mind a mint on your pillow—Spain’s Ohla Barcelona gives rooms a five-star makeover. Think perfumed pillows, occasion decorations, and baths drawn to the perfect temperature

February 2025

By Justin Quirk

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Barcelona is one of the world’s great walkable cities. Compact, with beach life at one end and urban hustle at the other, it naturally lends itself to days spent exploring on foot. But this makes it all the more important that you’ve got the perfect base to return to and recharge—Ohla Barcelona is just that.

This is a hotel where they go the extra mile to make sure that after a long day exploring, you return to a room which is set up exactly the way you like it.

Whether you want to choose the scent on your pillow, have a special-occasion cake and balloons waiting for your return, or you want a bathtub drawn to exactly the right temperature beneath overflowing bubbles—perhaps topped with fresh flower petals, with a couple of glasses of fizz pre-poured—just ask the concierge desk to arrange.

Perched on the corner of a side street off the busy Via Laietana, at the edge of the Gothic Quarter, Ohla is built around a tranquil, art-inflected lobby. White ceramic masks peer down from the walls; lounging is encouraged on bulbous, taupe-colored sofas (perhaps while flicking through the carefully chosen art and poetry books); floor-to-ceiling windows are perfect for people-watching.

The bedrooms’ design avoids the play-it-safe minimalism you might expect in a modern design hotel. There are plump sofas, purple rugs underfoot, and Juliet balconies overlooking the neighboring lemon-yellow buildings.

All of this might look a bit showy if it wasn’t for the way that Ohla just does all the small things extremely well: The vanity kits in each room are genuinely useful, with hypoallergenic supplies, hand cream and shoeshine sponges. There are fresh white waffle robes, duvets and pillows by eco supplier Mash (who largely create their fibers from recycled plastic bottles) and mattresses by high-end Spanish maker, Flex. There are bottles of granite-filtered Mondariz mineral water, a Nespresso machine, rainforest showers and smart in-room electronics from Samsung.

Ohla Barcelona

Via Laietana, 49, Barcelona, 08003

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With an in-house Michelin-starred restaurant (Caelis), a lively Catalan bistro (La Plassohla) and a glass-sided rooftop pool, you could comfortably spend a few days here and not feel the need to leave. But with Barcelona right on your doorstep, it’d be a wasted opportunity if you didn’t head out and explore—just remember to book your top-class turndown service for when you arrive back.

The bigger picture

Eye up the city from the eighth floor’s rooftop terrace
Thoughtful touches make even the shortest stay here memorable
The perfect base for exploring, just three minutes from Barcelona Cathedral
Whatever your wish or whim, five-star service is never far away

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Justin Quirk

Writer

Justin Quirk is Associate Creative Director of Editorial at Expedia Group, as well as a writer and editor who has worked for titles including The Sunday Times, The Guardian and Esquire covering music, design, and current affairs. He is also the author of Nothin’ But a Good Time, an acclaimed cultural history of 1980s heavy metal.

What guests say

The service was exceptional. Quique and Marc went above and beyond during our stay. The staff, location and total operation were great. Strongly recommend.
George, one-night family trip

Beautiful property close to everything in Gothic Quarter. Excellent customer service. Amazing rooftop bar with views of the cathedral!
Jennifer, three-night family trip

This was an amazing hotel! Very beautifully decorated and the staff went above and beyond! We would come back again and again!
Anna, one-night romance trip