When I walked into the Joséphine Baker Suite at El Palace Barcelona, I felt more connected to the late entertainer than I thought imaginable. Having first learned about Baker's astonishing life during a childhood visit to the Château des Milandes in Castelnaud, France, I've spent much of my adult travels inadvertently retracing the cultural footsteps she left around the world. From the Théatre des Champs-Elysées in Paris, where she performed the Charleston, to my latest holiday destination, El Palace, where the dancer-turned-resistance-fighter-turned-activist stayed during her visits to Catalonia in the 1950s.
2026 is a particularly significant year for the Catalan capital, with the city celebrating several cultural milestones. Not only has Barcelona been designated as a UNESCO World Capital of Architecture, but, come June, the Sagrada Família is expected to be completed, officially making it the tallest church in the world. 2026 also marks 100 years since the death of Antoni Gaudí, the fabled architect behind the Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and the modernist buildings Casa Batlló and La Pedrera along Passeig de Gràcia. As the city ramps up celebrations of Gaudí's enduring legacy, the five-star hotel El Palace Barcelona will be launching a series of cultural experiences for locals and tourists alike to honour the Year of Gaudí.
El Palace Barcelona, formerly the Ritz, first opened its doors in 1919, just in time to welcome the city's glorious Jazz Age, hosting all manner of artists, musicians, and writers. While the historic building has seen many a luxury renovation (and a coveted 5-star rating) over the past 105 years, its creative soul has been carefully preserved. No wonder arty types from across the world – and in my experience, London – have El Palace on their travel bucket lists. As one such art fiend, read on for my honest review of El Palace Barcelona.
El Palace Hotel Review:
El Palace Barcelona sits within the Eixample District, a mere eight-minute walk from Passeig de Gràcia and 25 minutes to 25-minute stroll to the Sagrada Familia. It's an ideal location for getting the most out of Barcelona's art scene. As well as the more traditional tourist attractions, you can get a better sense of the city's cultural history at the Palau de la Música Catalana, the only concert hall designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, only a 10-minute walk from the hotel, the Atenue Barcelonès, a cultural centre with over 160 years of history, a 15-minute walk from El Palace, and the Moco Museum, an independent museum set inside the 16th-century Palau Cervelló with a wide range of inspiring modern, contemporary and street art works, a 21-minute walk.
El Palace Barcelona has 114 rooms and suites, each embodying the hotel’s signature neoclassical-inspired, elegant style. The Grand Deluxe and Classic rooms have stunning views of the Gran Vía, while the Superior Suites offer a living room and bedroom, and the Junior Suites offer views of a quintessential Barcelona courtyard.
There are also six Art Suites, which were created in 2016 as part of the hotel’s renovations and suite expansion project. The aforementioned Joséphine Baker suite is one of these curated spaces dedicated to cultural icons who stayed at the hotel, including artist Salvador Dalí, sculptor Joan Miró, and legendary Rolling Stones guitarist, Ronnie Wood. It draws inspiration from Baker's Renaissance palace in the Dordogne, but in reality, the interiors feel more like a homage to the late great herself, with Barcelona-born Carol Moreno's portrait of her wearing a top hat and a tuxedo serving as the room's focal point.
Unique, artistic elements are incorporated throughout the hotel, from the tassel-adorned room keys to the exhibits in the Great Hall, displaying the creative works of both emerging and more established artists. New exhibitions are displayed every four months, with Barcelona-born, surrealist painter, Alba Domènech's work currently adorning the walls. Inside the suites, you can enjoy the works of Carol Moreno, another Barcelona-born artist, whose practice centres on the transformation of space through a contemplative and perceptual approach to painting.
All dining experiences are shaped by Head Chef Jesús Caballero, who brings his devout passion for Basque gastronomy and Catalan cuisine. Before a day of gallery hopping, breakfast is served at El Palace's Jardín restaurant, which is just as picturesque as the rest of the hotel, with indoor and outdoor seating available to admire the plants lining the walls and the stone water fountain at the helm of the room. There are also all-day dining options in the Great Hall, which offers guests a selection of traditional tapas and seasonal, locally sourced dishes. For a special evening, head to the Rooftop Garden for panoramic views of the city. Designed by Antoni Falcón, this 1,500 m² space is inspired by 1920s Barcelona and includes over 50 plant species, fountains, and a swimming pool. And be sure to make a booking at AMAR Barcelona for oysters, caviar, and other seafood, along with a selection of classic Catalan dishes.
2026 is an incredibly special year for Barcelona, with art lovers from all over the world flocking to witness the unveiling of the Sagrada Familia in all its glory. If you're feeling drawn to Catalonia in this historic year, make sure to stay at El Palace Barcelona. After all, while most luxury hotels deliver on excess, El Palace offers something even more exclusive: taste.
For more from Glamour UK's Lucy Morgan, follow her on Instagram @lucyalexxandra or on TikTok at @lucyalexxandra.
You don't need to travel far for beach club vibes.
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