With a location that practically touches the sand of one of Barcelona’s main beaches and is minutes from some of the city’s most upmarket clubs and restaurants, not to mention its casino, the five-star Pullman Barcelona Skipper is an excellent choice for a luxury holiday with lots of fun.
This hotel epitomises modern luxury, with spacious, welcoming rooms, two outdoor pools, and numerous fitness and wellbeing services. The close to 250 rooms and suites feature clean lines, comfortable, contemporary furniture, and fully equipped bathrooms that include rain effect showers. If you go for a Superior or Deluxe room, you’ll get a private balcony overlooking the garden or the seafront while families or groups can take advantage of the Connecting rooms for four or more people. The Junior Suites take the elegance rating up a notch along with extras such as a dressing room, whirlpool bath and Illy coffee machine. Even though the beach is just metres away, you may prefer to take advantage of the hotel’s pools; the rooftop Atic one is open in July and August while the Blue pool is open year-round and sits in a Mediterranean garden - both provide a bar service for sandwiches, salads, cocktails and cold drinks. At the Fit and Spa Lounge enjoy treatments, water therapies and a gym that’s open 24 hours every day, among other facilities. You can also make use of the rooftop exercise bikes or even rent one to be brought to your room. Food is served all day in the Blend Lounge & Bar, from continental breakfast to typical Mediterranean tapas.
Location: You’re just a minute from the beach, close to restaurants, clubs and bars. Need we say more? A stay at the Pullman Skipper gives you the opportunity to enjoy sun, sea and sand to the max, with water sports, cycling, roller blading and volleyball among the nearby outdoor activities available. The hotel is in the traditional fishing neighbourhood of Barceloneta, and you can explore its streets to find classic eateries and shops. In addition, the rest of the city is accessible through metro and bus services that stop close by.
Nearby:
AJI: The cuisines of Peru and Japan fuse at this Nikkei restaurant that is officially part of Barcelona Casino but actually sits separate from it, with an entrance at beach level and an atmosphere that’s well-lit and refined. It’s not the cheapest place to go for a set lunch menu, but what you get for your money is delicious, innovative and fresh. Ceviche, sushi, tempura and wok dishes are usually on offer, as well as meat and fish.
Anthony Llobet: Long established in Barcelona as the hairdressers for foreigners (tagline: ‘Don’t let your Spanish come between you and your hair’), the Barceloneta salon is the newest in the Anthony Llobet group. It sticks to the retro style of its predecessors (viz. vintage barber’s chairs and ’50s posters) and is staffed by English-speaking, experienced and friendly cutters.
La Mar Salada: If you’re by the sea, you should eat seafood and this is one place where you’re going to eat it really, really well. From traditional rice dishes given a contemporary spin to tempting fish stews, many of the ingredients they use are fished fresh and brought ashore just a few metres from the restaurant.
Vioko: Fifty flavours of ice cream, you say? Bring it on. Vioko is at the upper end of the scale when it comes to stylish ice cream parlours, with design as important as the innovation employed to develop the different flavours. And if the day doesn’t really lend itself to a 'gelat' (Catalan for ice cream), then they also have macarons, cakes and chocolate treats.
La Cova Fumada: This down-to-earth, neighbourhood tavern is a city institution. Renowned as the birthplace of the 'bomba', that consists of a ball of spicy meat wrapped in mashed potato and then covered in breadcrumbs before being deep fried, they also serve up hearty lunchtime specials like chickpea stew and salted cod. Eat with the locals for a real gourmet experience.
Good for: If you love the smell of salt in the air, the sight of an endless watery horizon and the feel of sand under your feet, this hotel will make you very happy indeed. It’s also ideal for anyone who wants to be away from the city centre but still close to a variety of places for eating and drinking. And for fitness fans and those who like to go walking to explore places, this is a great choice, thanks to the hotel's numerous health and wellness facilities and because you can get on foot to many must-see spots.
Amenities: Restaurant, Pools, Gym, Spa, Bars, Room service, Laundry, Free WiFi, Sauna, Concierge.
Time Out tip: Thanks to its fabulous location, the Pullman Barcelona Skipper offers excellent opportunities for running along the beachfront. Indeed, the hotel has put together a selection of circuits for those of you who are aficionados. Alternatively (or as well as if you're really keen), head to Box Barcelona. This recent opening from Nike offers plentiful fitness and wellness classes, and has its very own community of runners. Time to lace up those trainers!