W Barcelona

The W Barcelona has plenty going for it, but overall it simply didn’t present as a five-star hotel. It’s enormous, with an impressive entrance and a spectacular setting, but our immediate impression was of faded glory. It feels frayed around the edges, and unfortunately that becomes apparent quite quickly. There are seven check-in/out desks, yet very few were manned when we arrived, and queues remained a theme throughout our stay. The staff were young and generally seemed willing, but there was remarkably little warmth: few smiles, lots of staring intently at screens as though the information were written in Sanskrit, and waits that simply weren’t acceptable for a hotel at this level. There were definite positives. Our room was huge, with an enormous walk-in rain shower, generous toiletries and plenty of space. But again, the details let it down: the large frosted-glass doors scraped across the floor and clanged, the décor looked tired, and the carpet was most definitely not entirely clean. The facilities looked excellent. The swimming pool overlooking the Balearic Sea is a fantastic setting, and the Sunday-evening DJ, open spaces and generally cool, relaxed atmosphere give the hotel a real sense of occasion. The porters and security staff outside were also the complete opposite of our check-in experience: professional, helpful and impressively efficient. Unfortunately, the lack of attention to detail kept intruding. Carpets were stained, and trays and food left outside guests’ rooms were still sitting there after midday. Overall, there’s still a lot to like about the W Barcelona: the location, scale, views, rooms and atmosphere are impressive. But the maintenance, cleanliness and service standards didn’t match the surroundings or a five-star rating. It felt like a hotel trading somewhat on past glory rather than consistently delivering at the level its name promises. We wouldn’t stay again.

The staff came across as pompous and unkind, making guests feel looked down upon rather than welcomed. The hotel seems more focused on creating an image of exclusivity than delivering genuine hospitality. As a seasoned traveler who has stayed in exceptional six-star hotels around the world, my advice is: Barcelona has many beautiful hotels and rooftops with stunning views, far better hospitality, and better value for your money. This hotel simply isn’t worth the hype.

Excellent deffo one of the best hotels in the world.

We had a wonderful stay at W Barcelona and would absolutely recommend this hotel! First of all, the location is incredible. Waking up to the Mediterranean Sea every morning was such a beautiful experience. The views from the hotel are breathtaking — the ocean, the beach, the lively streets at night, and even the Sagrada Família in the distance. It truly captures the beauty and energy of Barcelona. The hotel itself was very clean and well maintained, and our room was spotless throughout our stay. We also had a great time at NOXE. The atmosphere was fun and stylish, and both the drinks and food were excellent. I especially loved the Japanese-inspired cocktails — creative and very well done. But what made our stay truly memorable was the service, especially Stephanie, the hotel manager. She was incredibly patient, warm, and professional when helping us with our concerns. What impressed me most was that she genuinely tried to understand the situation from a guest’s perspective and did everything she could, within her ability, to accommodate our needs. Stephanie represents hospitality at its best. Her professionalism, kindness, patience, and attention to guests truly stand out, even among people in the hospitality industry. Being far away from home, her warmth made us feel genuinely welcomed and cared for, and left us with such a wonderful impression of the graciousness and hospitality we experienced in Spain. Overall, we had a fantastic experience at W Barcelona. Beautiful location, unforgettable views, great atmosphere, excellent food and drinks, and most importantly, exceptional service. We would definitely stay here again the next time we visit Barcelona. Highly recommended — and a very special thank you to Stephanie for making our stay even more memorable!

I brought a friend to the bar as a treat before a concert. We ordered a cocktail that I had had before. They were slammed down in front of in small tumbler as we were told there was no ice. They cost around £10 each. Have had each of cocktails before here and this time they were warm and with no attempt of trying to make special eg garnish/ice/coaster. Then had to ask 3 times to pay bill while numerous staff stood chatting at end of bar. Never again, was so embarrassed after giving great reviews to my friends after being here a year ago.