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Hotel Colón

Hotel Colón

Barcelona, Spain

Located directly opposite Barcelona’s central cathedral in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, the Hotel Colón occupies a prime position. The family-run property opened in 1951 and offers commanding views of the cathedral’s elaborate 19th-century neo-Gothic façade, while tables from its restaurant spill out into the elegant Plaça de la Seu.

The main lobby, breakfast room and ground-floor lounge feature classical decor, however, the 135 rooms have all been renovated in a more modern style and offer a high level of comfort. All boast feature windows and the majority have small terraces or balconies overlooking the cathedral. A particular highlight of the hotel is the roof terrace and spa where you can enjoy panoramic views while relaxing in the open-air pool or recharge in the sauna or hammam.

Such a convenient location has meant that Hotel Colón has had many illustrious guests including Ernest Hemingway and Jean Paul Sartre, while Joan Miró lived at the hotel for a period in the late 60s and early 70s.

OUR OPINION:

We particularly enjoy the unrivalled views of the cathedral and the central location and find that the hotel’s modern renovations have improved the quality of the rooms substantially.

OUR RATING: Medium

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Audley Travel specialist Cara

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Rooms

Purpose built as a hotel, the Hotel Colón makes commanding use of its location. Big windows adorned with French balconies occupy the side of the hotel facing the cathedral and offer views of the neo-Gothic façade. Interior rooms overlook a central courtyard and are slightly quieter. All rooms are decorated in an elegant style and offer plenty of modern comforts from rain showers to air conditioning, Wi-Fi and Nespresso coffee machines.

Location

Situated at the entrance to Barcelona’s labyrinthine Gothic Quarter and just a 10-minute walk from La Rambla, the Hotel Colón is perfectly located for exploring the city on foot. The city’s central cathedral is directly opposite the hotel, fronted by the Plaça de la Seu, where you’ll often find a small antiques market or traditional Catalan dancing in progress. The shops and restaurants of El Born are also within easy walking distance along with the Plaça de Catalunya which can be accessed on foot in around 10 minutes.

Food and drink

A traditional buffet breakfast is served in a room under the main lounge. On the ground floor, Cathedral 1951 Restaurant overlooks Plaça de la Seu and the cathedral, its tables spilling out onto the street in a leafy terrace. The menu features a variety of traditional local dishes. Within walking distance you can also find a good selection of tapas restaurants in the nearby Gothic and El Born districts, though we recommend checking with reception for directions.

Facilities and activities

On the top floor of the hotel is a relaxing spa area complete with a sauna, hammam and rooftop relaxation pool with panoramic views.

Tour ideas in Barcelona

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Hotel Colón as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favourite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.

    Experiences while staying here

    The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area's inhabitants.

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