Top Hotels in Barcelona Available with Rewards Points (Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, IHG)
Discovering Barcelona: A Guide to the Best Neighborhoods and Luxury Hotels for Points Redemption
Barcelona, Spain's vibrant and popular city, offers a rich tapestry of experiences for tourists. From its historic landmarks to its lively nightlife, Barcelona caters to a wide range of preferences. For those seeking luxury accommodations and the opportunity to use loyalty points, here's a guide to the best neighborhoods and top hotels in Barcelona.
Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic)
The Gothic Quarter is an ideal base for those seeking an overall exceptional experience, with its close proximity to major sights, tapas bars, and nightlife. Top hotels that are great for points stays include the Hotel Neri Relais & Chateaux, Ohla Barcelona, and H10 Cubik.
El Raval
Ideal for short stays focused on sightseeing, El Raval offers a gritty, authentic vibe, great nightlife, and a multicultural atmosphere.
Eixample
For luxury accommodation, Eixample is the best choice, boasting elegant buildings and easy access to shopping and dining. Popular luxury hotels include Serras Barcelona and Mercer Hotel.
La Barceloneta
La Barceloneta is perfect for families and beach lovers, offering a relaxed seaside atmosphere close to the city center. However, high-end points hotels are more limited in this area.
El Born
El Born is slightly upscale and less tourist-heavy than Las Ramblas, offering excellent nightlife and boutique shopping. While there are fewer hotel-specific points options mentioned, it's still a great alternative for those seeking a lively atmosphere.
When it comes to points use, many top hotels in the Gothic Quarter and Eixample participate in major loyalty programs, such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, or Accor, allowing redemption or upgrades. For example, Hotel Neri and Ohla Barcelona in the Gothic Quarter, and Serras Barcelona in Eixample, are often available for points or special loyalty offers.
For a lively, central stay combining historical atmosphere and a variety of hotel options redeemable with points, the Gothic Quarter is often considered the best overall base. For sheer luxury with good points hotel options, Eixample is top-ranked. Beach lovers with families might prefer La Barceloneta, but with more limited high-end points hotels.
If you want nightlife on Las Ramblas or near it, the Gothic Quarter and El Born are great adjacent alternatives with boutique hotels redeemable on loyalty programs.
Safety Considerations
While Barcelona is generally a safe city, it's important to be mindful of pickpocketing, especially in crowded areas.
Top Marriott Hotels in Barcelona
For those loyal to the Marriott Bonvoy program, the Cotton House Hotel, Hotel Arts Barcelona, W Barcelona, and The Barcelona EDITION are the top four Marriott hotels in Barcelona.
Other Notable Properties
The Kimpton Vivadora, an IHG property located in the Gothic Quarter, offers luminous guest rooms and a rooftop pool. The Claris Hotel & Spa, an SLH property with its own Japanese water garden, features eclectic art and distressed furniture. The Grand Hotel Central, another SLH property, is set in a 1920s historic art nouveau building, with a secret rooftop garden and modern guest rooms.
The Almanac Barcelona, a luxury property with a chic, luminous lobby and bright guest rooms, offers marble bathrooms and gold fixtures. The Mandarin Oriental Barcelona, located in the Eixample neighborhood, boasts Mediterranean-hued details and French rugs. The Wittmore Barcelona, an SLH property in the Gothic Quarter, caters to adults only (guests 18 and up).
For budget-conscious travelers or those seeking to avoid crowds, Barcelona's Mediterranean climate makes the shoulder seasons like May or October ideal times to visit. February and November are also suitable options for budget travelers or those seeking a quieter experience.
Room rates for the Hotel Indigo Barcelona Plaza Espana start at €150 ($155) or 35,000 IHG One Rewards points per night. Rates for the Almanac Barcelona start at €326 ($340) or 50,392 Membership Rewards points per night. Rates for the Wittmore Barcelona start at €308 ($320) or 80,000 Hilton Honors points per night. Rates for the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona start at €625 ($650) or 106,183 Membership Rewards points per night. Rates for the Claris Hotel & Spa start at €205 ($215) or 57,000 Hilton Honors points per night. Rates for the Grand Hotel Central start at €256 ($275) or 71,000 Hilton Honors points per night. Rates for the Kimpton Vivadora start at €250 ($260) or 49,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
[1] The Points Guy
[2] Forbes Travel Guide
[3] NerdWallet
[4] Business Insider
[5] The Telegraph
- Barcelona's rich history, culture, and vibrant lifestyle make it a popular city for travel, offering a variety of neighborhoods catering to different preferences.
- For travelers interested in luxury accommodations and loyalty points, the Gothic Quarter and Eixample neighborhoods offer top hotels like the Hotel Neri, Serras Barcelona, and the Mercer Hotel that participate in major loyalty programs.
- When planning a trip that combines sightseeing, beach relaxation, lively nightlife, and high-end hotel options redeemable with points, Barcelona provides numerous options to consider.