Alma Barcelona is a small luxury hotel near Passeig de Gràcia, close to Plaça de Catalunya and within reach of the Sagrada Família, and it is listed as a five-star property with 72 rooms. The booking listing describes it as a garden sanctuary in the heart of Barcelona, with fragrant gardens around a courtyard patio, a feature that sets it apart from the more urban feel of many central hotels. Facilities include an indoor pool, a full-service spa, a restaurant, a coffee shop or café, a bar, a gym, a garden, a library and a 24-hour front desk. Breakfast, valet parking and an airport shuttle are available for a surcharge, and does not mention a rooftop. Guests rate it 9.6, described as exceptional, from about a thousand reviews, and praise the helpful staff. For visitors who want a quiet, elegant base close to the Gaudí houses and the shops of the Eixample, but would rather return to a garden than a lobby on a busy street, it is a strong choice among the luxury options.
Who it suits
Couples, honeymooners and travellers who value calm, service and a smaller scale. The indoor pool and spa make it a good choice in cooler months, when rooftop pools are closed or too chilly, and the garden and library give you places to sit that are not a hotel bar.
It is less suited to families who want a lot of activities or to travellers who want a lively social scene on the premises. As the booking page gives no street address, check the exact location on your booking before you plan your walking routes.
Staying well
Use the courtyard garden for breakfast or an afternoon break, and book a spa treatment early if you are visiting at the weekend. The 24-hour front desk helps if you arrive on a late flight. Because breakfast, parking and the airport shuttle cost extra, confirm what your rate includes and decide whether to eat in or step out into the Eixample's cafés. The Eixample's grid makes it easy to walk to Casa Batlló, La Pedrera and Plaça de Catalunya, and the Sagrada Família is reachable by metro or taxi.
Value
Rates for a small luxury hotel in this part of the city are high, and they rise at peak periods. Tourist tax is added per person per night. What you pay for is service, quiet and space, rather than a spectacular view or a big public scene. If you like the idea of a hotel where a garden is the centrepiece, compare it with the larger, more famous properties and with the other five-star options in this guide before you commit. Booking early is wise, as small hotels with exceptional scores fill up.
Why stay here
- ✓Courtyard garden
- ✓Indoor pool
- ✓Full-service spa
- ✓Library
- ✓Restaurant, cafe and bar
- ✓Gym
- ✓24-hour front desk
- ✓72 rooms
Good questions
How big is Alma Barcelona?+
It has 72 rooms, making it a small luxury hotel rather than a large property.
Does it have a pool and spa?+
Yes, an indoor pool and a full-service spa are listed, along with a gym, a garden and a library.
Are breakfast and parking included?+
The booking page shows breakfast, valet parking and an airport shuttle as available for a surcharge, so check what your rate includes.
