Those of us who proudly bear the character of being from Barcelona assume certain stereotypes when summer arrives: the beach is overcrowded, finding free chairs on the most prized terraces is mission impossible and (the biggest myth of all), everyone escapes to the coast and beach destinations. The reality is different: not a few Barcelonians choose to enjoy asphalt plans, especially since a few years ago multiple leisure incentives and cultural events in the form of musical or theatrical festivals have proliferated so that staying for a weekend, or in August, is a real pleasure.
To this new feeling of summer in the city is added the varied calendar of activities and special consumption moments offered by hotels. Experiences that are only possible during the summer season, when the days lengthen and the skyline dyes the silhouettes of the most iconic buildings and monuments orange.
Enjoying unparalleled views with a cocktail in hand, snacking on tasty and refreshing dishes or enjoying musical selections that define summer in themselves... Yes, experiencing all this in good company is the plan that every Barcelonian will covet to live and share from above: on the terraces and rooftops of the city's luxury and grand luxury hotels.
With similar proposals, the main hotels include the gastronomic signature of their advisor or executive chef in a cuisine that transports the diner to the summer epicenter, as well as a surprising and versatile cocktail menu. The differential point becomes more visible in the diverse offer of performances, DJ sessions and even open-air cinema. From above, not only is the breeze fresher, summer is perceived better.
The Rooftop, Hotel Sir Victor
Sir Victor enlivens the views of Casa Milà and the Sagrada Familia from above with cocktails and Greek-inspired sharing plates by Jesse Katzman, executive chef. At The Rooftop by Sir Victor, dishes such as charcoal-grilled sea bass with slow-cooked vegetables and lemon or grilled octopus with crispy potatoes take center stage. The grill is lit at nightfall, and the drinks to accompany this gastronomic proposal range from classic cocktails to organic wines. When the clock strikes 7 PM, and from June until the end of October, the atmosphere will be filled with live performances and DJ sets of the most varied musical styles. An opportunity to savor the best views of modernist Barcelona.
Marina Coastal Club by Hotel Arts
Under this evocative name, the Hotel Arts brings the Mediterranean just a few meters away and its beach essence into a refined complex for guests and Barcelonians eager to enjoy the salt air and the most chic beach style. Marina Coastal Club spans nearly 2,500 square meters of environments, atmospheres, and enjoyment areas, starting with Marina Sunset Lounge Bar, which from 5 PM until one in the morning offers DJ sessions to pair with the sunset view and the best cocktails. Marina Restaurant, under the direction of Conrad Tromp, transports diners to coastal cuisine, where fish and rice dishes provide good moments, especially if accompanied by a carefully selected wine list. Finally, Marina Infinity Pool allows guests to enjoy the last lights of the day merging with the sea from the hotel's own pool, extending that refreshing moment with a cocktail until the early hours of the morning. A range of stimulating options where the sea is always the protagonist.
Terrat, with Gastón Acurio, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Another year, the Terrat by Gastón Acurio at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel returns. An unmissable event in the heart of Barcelona to taste the popular roots of the Peruvian cuisine of the international chef, whose most iconic dish is cebiche. Other renowned dishes such as rocoto nikkei scallops, scallop tiradito, or causa limeña will not be missed. The cocktail bar, another reason to visit this Terrat at the end of the day, also has nods to Peru, such as the ineffable Pisco Sour. The Terrat welcomes its regulars every day from 6 p.m. with DJ sessions until midnight, except on Fridays and Saturdays, when the fun extends until two.
El Palace
The Rooftop of one of the most traditional hotels in the city of Barcelona, El Palace, offers views and differential plans to enjoy Barcelona from above. Whether to the rhythm of rumba on Thursdays, and DJ sets at the P-tardeo on weekends or open-air cinema sessions at the Open-air Rooftop, the highest point of the hotel combines these activities with a renewed menu of tasty dishes such as cod fritters with seaweed, grilled escalivada with arbequina olive juice or roasted Iberian pork with Catalan picada and samfaina. A selection of wines, cocktails and champagne is available in this high-altitude plan.
Wittmore
Where old Barcelona beats, the Hotel Wittmore rises as a place to disconnect and admire the beauty of the adjacent rooftops at dusk from its Sobreático Contraban. In addition to offering DJ sessions on Thursdays, this new hotspot, which opens its doors to Barcelonians from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., has prepared a casual gastronomic version of the new Contraban, the restaurant directed by Alain Guiard, which opened a few months ago. This menu contains gems that are paired with mocktails and cocktails such as the pressed focaccia sandwich with truffled mortadella, soubise and baldat cheese or the mint eggplant babaganush with crispy pita bread, without neglecting sweet endings with a chocolate cake with toasted hazelnuts and goji berries.
Purobeach, Hilton Diagonal Mar Hotel
The day and night of the summer season merge at the Purobeach of the Hilton Diagonal Mar Hotel, one of Barcelona's most desired urban beach clubs. From June to August, Purobeach brings its Puro Experience to life: themed events and music sets created by its resident DJs that coexist with spa treatments and the best drinks, from its pool or its desired Balinese beds. In this urban oasis open to the public, the gastronomy that can be savored is fresh and tasty, typically Mediterranean, in tapas format and succulent paellas. When the plan is beach-oriented, what better than a good baked sea bass or a fish and seafood paella to not need to set foot in the sand to feel in vacation mode. The city's skyline had never been so appetizing and enjoyable!
Bar Alegría on the terrace of the Edition Hotel
Tomás Abellán, chef and owner of Bar Alegría, sets up his casual kitchen on the terrace of the Edition Hotel from June until the end of September. Executed by the kitchen team of Bar Veraz, by Pedro Tassarolo, it will offer every day from noon to midnight a good selection of Abellán's most celebrated dishes, from the truffled tortilla to the mozzarella, Iberian ham and truffle bikini. This pop up offers a happy union of cuisine and location to make the most of the hottest months of the year.
El Niu del Mirlo, Mirlo Boutique Hotel
And finally, if by heights we refer to the highest points of the city, the brand new Mirlo Boutique Hotel, located in the Macaya Tower on Avinguda Tibidabo, could not be missed. Its garden is a marvel of plants and trees that competes in charm with this modernist tower that Carlos Ruiz Zafón immortalized in The Shadow of the Wind. The gastronomy offered here, with José Manuel Zafra at the helm, is enjoyed at El Niu del Mirlo and offers starters with excellent products such as wagyu carpaccio, as well as high-quality meats or fish. The ideal place to disconnect in a paradise of exclusivity.