Barcelona, SpainEl Poble-sec
InterContinental Barcelona by IHG
Polished Montjuïc flagship
El Poble-sec Barcelona, Spain
Renovated
2021
Price
$$$
Rated for
Luxe Wellness SocialOutside the door
The house
IHGPolished Montjuïc flagship
It is an unhurried, full-scale flagship, trading narrow old-town lanes for generous space at the foot of Montjuïc.
“The chic and airy interior common areas, with their high ceilings and statement art pieces, are those of a modern lifestyle hotel.”
What it’s good at
Notable
Spacious rooms supply Byredo bath amenities alongside Michelin-starred dining by Víctor Torres.
Listed
Gebre Cocktail Bar and the seventh-floor rooftop terrace serve drinks over Montjuïc views.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler.
The common spaces are pristine and modern, with lots of white marble and eye-catching light fixtures, and rooms and suites adhere to a similar aesthetic.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Montjuïc's parkland and art museums rise directly behind, while Poble-sec's local tapas bars fill the streets below.
The rooms
Rooms are unusually large for the city, finished in pale Mediterranean blues with natural wood and excellent soundproofing.
The spa and rooftop pool
Bring a swimsuit.
A rooftop plunge pool looks out across the city skyline, and treatment suites downstairs offer Morjana body rituals.
The thermal baths
Swan-neck jets feed the mosaic hydrotherapy pool, flanked by heated loungers and a dry sauna.
Bar
173 Rooftop Terrace
The rooftop pergola serves Mediterranean small plates with skyline views, and hosts live music on Saturday evenings.
At the table
Gebre mixes cocktails aged in clay vessels, and Arrel prepares seasonal Mediterranean dishes from an open kitchen.
How it began
The building rose for the 1992 Olympics, serving as a convention hotel for decades before a complete transformation in 2021.
Barcelona
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The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.