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Barcelona is a city full of a Gothic and Modernist architecture on the Mediterranean Sea and is considered the second capital of Spain. Known for its quirky, cosmopolitan and hip style, Barcelona has a lot to offer including amazing nightlife. From a cozy & traditional Spanish bar to a hot, happening club, this is just one of the reasons Barcelona is a perfect place to go for a ‘One Day Stay’. You will find history, arts and a culture unique to the Catalan region of Spain plus fab places to shop, dine and drink. Barcelona is also a great hopping point to many other adventures, be it in Spain or elsewhere.
DROP YOUR BAG
This visit to Barcelona wasn’t Lola’s first and that certainly makes it seem easier to go to such an outstanding city and not stay long. I’d say any excuse to go to Barcelona is worthwhile BUT, to me, a big part of any trip is the choice of where you stay. Your ‘home away from home’ can largely set the tone for the rest of your time, in my opinion. I always say, if you choose wisely all else will fall into place AND for me, this is W Barcelona. To be honest, I could have never left the property and found everything I was looking for during my time in Barcelona. A hip & cool scene, good food, great cocktails and dancing – W Barcelona has ALL OF THIS under one roof, on a beach, touching the Mediterranean Sea. Honestly, can you picture a more perfect place for moi?! No, I didn’t think so. Completely LOLA APPROVED! Like all that is unique in Barcelona, the architecture of W Barcelona is a sight to behold. Known as ‘The Sail’, I think it looks like a gorgeous wave rising from the sea heading for the beach ahead. With just under 500 rooms, W Barcelona offers 9 different room categories, 3 restaurants, 2 bars and 1 club plus the FAB spa by Bliss. Rooms are bright, crisp & clean with all kinds of amenities special to the property. Standouts for Lola are the W Insider services available to all guests, the Whatever/Whenever philosophy, 24 hour room service AND the hot pink sequined wall!! 😉
DO
Barcelona is notorious for being a late night city with a great club scene SO one must do that when they have limited time in Barcelona to get a feel for the place. W Insiders suggested Privé Barcelona as they have very exclusive access and are specialists in cocktails. (Very Lola – hello VIP) They also have a great dance floor! Privé is a premium club with loads of style. Accommodating up to 350 guests, I liked that the club wasn’t overly crowded and overwhelming as many clubs can be. If you dare to dance, you will be under 500 color diamonds with the latest technology in RGB independent lights that’s only available in 3 clubs in the world: London, Shanghai and now Privé Barcelona. The music starts pumping at 1am and lasts til 5:30. I think I managed a respectable 4:30am my evening there. I really loved Privé Barcelona. The drinks, the DJ’s tunes, the cool crowd all = a great time. Will definitely go back there when next in Barcelona.
DRINK
While I enjoyed many a tasty cocktail during my short visit in Barcelona (Negroni at WAVE and gin & tonics at Ura & Privé Barcelona) my favorite spot that really added to my time was a simple stand on the Barceloneta boardwalk. It was such a gorgeous day that particular Sunday in Barcelona that there wasn’t much left for choices of a walk-up and walk-away drink. I went for a caipirinha and it was soooo delicious. Maybe it had something to do with the surrounding scenery of the marina, beach, music and people BUT to me, it was the best tasting drink of my whole time in Barcelona and probably the least expensive too.
DINE
When I asked W Insiders to set up dinner for some friends and me in Barcelona on Saturday evening, one place they suggested was Ura. I always look for the hip & cool and thought it best to ask the experts, which is EXACTLY what W Insiders are. Ura was described as having a festive young atmosphere with delicious food from the north of Spain. AND, bonus, it turns into a great spot for after dinner drinks later on. I can completely attest to this as our reservation was for 9:30 and the place was practically empty but by midnight tables were being carried away to make room for the throngs of people looking to see and be seen. I thoroughly enjoyed the warm & casual atmosphere of Ura and found the food wonderful as well as the cocktails. Ura even had a fun magician going from table to table to keep things lively. Truth be told, this is something I’m typically not fond of but at Ura it completely works by just adding to the jovial vibe. This is one Barca resto I would recommend to anyone.
PS – I really feel as though I should give an honorable mention to Eclipse at W Barcelona as well. Up at the top on the 26th floor, it’s a GREAT club scene that I enjoyed quite a bit as well. Well done W Barcelona, well done you.
Love Barcelona !!
me tooooooo!! want to get back there ASAP!
Love this – I need to get my ass to Barca! xx
Scarlett recently posted…This isn’t a love story.
yes you do missy! i’ll escort you 😉 xx
I visited Barcelona so long ago this is a great taste of it!
time to return hot stuff!
I had SO MUCH FUN in this 24 hours! Oh my…so much fun!
Leah Travels recently posted…Getting Down & Dirty in Jordan’s Wadi Rum
indeed!! loved our 24 hours in BARCA
Love love love Barcelona. Dying to get back….need to check out the W – I know it will be awesome if it is Lola approved!
Anita Mac recently posted…Adventures with Explorers’ Edge – quintessentials of the Canadian wilderness
AWESOME. seriously, no need to leave the property to get it ALL!
Yes please! I need to get out of this London rain!
Becky Padmore recently posted…In BIG Pictures: Bruges, Belgium
i think the sun is shining now in the UK. better be…i’m heading that way Thursday.
I love the W hotels.. they’re always different everywhere you go. I haven’t stayed in nearly enough but the one in Chicago is pretty nice. 🙂
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted…Day Trip: Niagara Fallin’ from Toronto
ooooo i’ll have to add Chicago to my W repertoire 😉
I’m a W virgin. Maybe I won’t be anymore if I ever get to Barcelona…
Francesca (@WorkMomTravels) recently posted…Delta Chelsea, meet Eaton Chelsea: Changes at Canada’s largest hotel
you know what’s great about the W brand, Francesca…they are family friendly too. BUT for the cool kids – which of course yours are 😉
I like Barcelona, it’s one of those places you simply never tire of and can go back to again and again. The restaurant looks lovely!
Sofia recently posted…5 Quirky Places in the UK
i agree, Sofia. i hadn’t been in ages and now have been twice in the last 6 months. it is quickly becoming one of my favorite getaways. URA was perfect. you would love it – i’m sure.
You can’t go wrong with a tip from Lola when it comes to drinks and where to stay, so I know where to do both next time I want to have fun in Barcelona.
Traveling Ted recently posted…A cruise along the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway
hehehe Ted. i heart you. i think you would like the places i wrote about. all very FUN. and i know you enjoy a bit of fun yourself 😉
Love love love Barcelona! And the w.. Mas por favor! Need to check out the restaurant as only place I didn’t go!
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted…How important is hotel safety? Some food for thought thanks to British Airways
ooooo Mrs. O – you would love URA. really fun scene. great food & drinks. such a cool vibe. the perfect amount of club action if clubbing isn’t really your thing.
Lola! We are filming in Barcelona next month and after reading your post we’re looking forward to it even more!!
sandi mckenna recently posted…Travel Bloggers ‘Find Yours’ in Australia, Paris, Morocco, London, and Seattle
i hope you have the BEST time. somehow i don’t doubt it would be any other way with Midlife Roadtrip!!
Your trips always seem so fun Lola!
HA Kate! well just call me Lola ‘FUN’ DiMarco 😉
This is a city I need to get to know better!
Sounds like a great time. I can’t wait to go back and get to know the city better.
Jenna recently posted…Photo Friday: The de Young Museum, San Francisco
the first time i visited BCN i really explored it more than the last 2 times but i feel like the last 2 times were more of a local perspective and visit. that city is so ALIVE. one of my favorite things about it!!
Very good article. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay in Barcelona!
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