SLS Barcelona

Great food, fresh ingredients, and excellent quality. Unfortunately, the experience was overshadowed by poor service. There were plenty of staff members, but many seemed to be walking around without much purpose or coordination. To make matters worse, one staff member had an unfriendly attitude while we were sorting out the bill, which left a disappointing final impression.

We stayed at SLS Barcelona for one night. First Impressions of the hotel was average. Check in was quick and staff was friendly and welcoming, However they charge 100 Euros per night deposit if you are using a credit card and 200 Euros per night if paying with a debit card. I have never experienced such a high compulsory daily charge in a hotel before. Once we was given the room key the lady told us which lift to go to, this was the incorrect lift and we could not find our room using that lift and we was walking around trying to find the room until luckily there was a porter on the same floor and we was able to ask for directions. The whole layout of the hotel is bizarre and the signage for directions is poorly done considering this is a fairly new hotel. Once we arrived to our adjoining rooms, the first impressions were not great for a supposedly 5* star hotel, more like a 3* hotel. The room was average looking and a bit run down for a newly built hotel, this is down to how the rooms are kept. The first thing we noticed was a huge crack in one of the balcony doors. We then noticed the shower was dirty around the sides and when it was in use we could tell it was not cleaned because all the dirt from the previous person who used it was coming up around the plug hole. There was also a layer of dust on the surface onto of the mini bar. The touch screen system for the lights and curtains were poorly set up and the curtains did not fully close after pressing the button to close them. The balcony door in the adjoining room would also not open, so the balcony could not be used in that room. The pillows on the bed also had a strong horrible smell which made sleeping very uncomfortable. After settling into our room we went to the pool bar to get some food and drinks. We ordered three smash burgers with fries and some cocktails, for one of the burgers i requested it to have no gherkins, the server came along and gave me my burger with "no gherkins" I started to eat it and it turns out it had gherkins in it, which is poor for a five star hotel and especially if it was an allergen. The smash burgers were not very nice and they were greasy with cheap cheese slices and the portion of fries was minimal for the price. The cocktails were probably the worst cocktails I have had on holiday in a hotel. My daughter had a milkshake which arrived looking like a slushy. This was definitely not 5* hotel quality food. Room service options were very limited with only a few options for food which was a bit of a let down however the club sandwich was nice that we ordered. Overall would I stay at this hotel again? No I think the hotel needs to work on their 5* Service and cleanliness.

My wife and I spent a weekend at the SLS Barcelona and came away with very mixed feelings. The hotel itself is genuinely stunning the design, the location, the facilities are all excellent, and on paper this should have been a perfect break. But the staff let it down badly. There’s a coldness and pretentiousness to the service that I’ve rarely encountered in my travels. Rather than making guests feel welcome, you’re left feeling like an inconvenience. For a hotel at this price point, that’s simply unacceptable. Two moments stood out. When my wife wanted a small amount of milk to top up her coffee, we were charged €15. No warning, no apology — just a bill for what amounted to a splash of milk. It was petty and frankly embarrassing for a property of this calibre. The pool area was equally frustrating. Guests are not permitted to move their loungers to follow the sun — and if you try, an attendant will come over and make their displeasure very clear. In any other hotel, that would be a minor inconvenience. Here, combined with the overall attitude, it just adds to the sense that the rules matter more than the guests. The SLS Barcelona has everything it needs to be one of the best hotels in the city. What it’s missing is warmth. Until the culture changes, the experience will always fall short of the price tag.

This hotel is truly one-of-a-kind. From before your stay until after you leave, they take care of you and ensure you have everything you might need. The staff are amazing and incredibly helpful. The standout features were the extremely comfortable beds and the walk-in rainfall shower. I think it is definitely worth the value, especially if you visit during the right season. There are three pools to enjoy and six different outlets, each with its own unique cuisine—all of which serve delicious food. The buffet breakfast was absolutely amazing, with a variety that felt both refreshing and plentiful. The entire property is brand new and impeccably clean—the towels, sheets, rooms, and the hotel itself are spotless. The rooms are very quiet, as is the hotel overall, making it perfect for a peaceful stay. It’s an excellent choice if you want to be close to the city without staying in the city center; the nearest tram station is just a 3–4 minute walk and takes you to the city center in about 15 minutes. The atmosphere is friendly and makes you feel right at home. One of the things that really caught my attention were the small “Easter eggs” hidden throughout the hotel—the design, paintings, and even the staff uniforms all tell a story.

Beautiful hotel but it’s situated quite far out of the centre. The rooms were slightly too dark for my taste but great attention to detail and incredibly clean. The staff were brilliant including the security who couldn’t do enough for us. The bar staff were knowledgeable and helpful, especially the front of house barman Jose who took the time to explain the wine and check we were well looked after whenever he was working, he was also knowledgable of the area and gave us some great tips on where to visit which was a nice touch. Breakfast was also exceptional. The cocktails in the upstairs Bar were great and the waitress took good care of us but it was quiet for a Thursday. I would stay again if I hired a car and in the summer season.