When the 1992 Summer Olympics left Barcelona, its legacy stayed behind. The building boom stirred by the Games revitalized the waterfront neighborhood to the north of the old city, where shops, restaurants and a marina sprang up. As further proof of this area's rebirth, the Hotel Arts Barcelona opened there in 1994.

The Hotel Arts in managed by the Ritz Carlton, although it does not have its name (the Ritz name in Spain is owned by another company, preventing the hotel chain from using it). Of course, guests should expect the same level of luxury and service they've experienced at other Ritz-Carlton properties.

Since its inception, the Hotel Arts has targeted a corporate clientele. With 14 meeting rooms totaling more than 40,000 square feet of floor space, the hotel can host sizable groups. One staff member estimates that corporate guests provide hotel of 80 percent of the property's business. 

Guests at Hotel Arts have quick access to most of the sights of the city. The Mediterranean beachfront is a mere 100 yards from the back door, and a stop on Barcelona's subway syste, is a couple of beautiful blocks away. The hotel is about 10 minutes by taxi from El Prat airport.   

Clientele

While the hotel serves mainly corporate groups, leisure clientele are naturally welcome. The hotel also hosts many families, including those with members attending on-site meetings.

Accommodations

Views do not come much better than those from the windows of the Hotel Art's 455 rooms and suites. Because the property is set away from the city, guests will almost surely get a terrific vista. The View inside the rooms is just as good. Furnishings include plush king-size beds, huge closets, entertainment centers (complete with a TV and CD player), and desk and chairs. A special bedside console allows guests to raise and lower blinds, or turn off lights across the room. There is also a personal business center with fax and computer capabilities. Bathrooms are equally lavish, with rose-colored marble and plenty of space. Guests can use a separate glass-enclosed shower stall or the bath, and counter space is ample.

On floors 31 through 33, the luxury is another scale. These top three floors are The club, which guests can only enter by key. The Club floors have 32 deluxe guest rooms. 12 Executive suites and one Presidential Suite. Furnishing in the suites are mostly custom-made, and the views are astounding. Perhaps the best room is the two-story apartment with a view across the city to Montjuic. It costs approximately $3,000 per night. As with all Ritz-Carlton clubs, rates include five food presentations daily and afternoon tea. 

The Hotel Arts has been adding to room amenities on Club Floors as well; guests now receive Bulgari bath amenities and can even request to have  their clothes packed. 

Public Areas

Hotel Arts eschews the gilded luxury of other high-end properties and opts for a more contemporary - yet still opulent - style. Throughout the hotel, guests will find a modern artworks created by many artists, mostly Spanish and Catalonian. Even the guest rooms have an artful touch - each one contains a unique lithograph. The most stunning artwork is actually outside the hotel, where a huge sculpture of a fish complements the nearby beachfront. The fish was designed by Frank Gehry, who also designed the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. 

The main floor contains the lobby, restaurants, bar and a lounge area. Another restaurant and two meeting rooms are on the upper floor. More meeting spaces are on a lower ground floor. 

The hotel has a fitness center, swimming pool and whirpool, gift shop, laundry, salon and baby-sitting and car rental services.  

Dining

 The hotel has two main restaurants: the Cafe Veranda and the Newport Room. Breakfast and lunch are both served in the cafe. Meals include such specialties as paella and the unique dishes of Catalonia. Guests can enjoy dinner in the elegant Newport Room. It is open Tuesdays through Saturdays and has live music on the weekends. Those looking for tapas should try the very colorful Goyescas. The Bar Terraza providess a view of the marina.

Service

As one would expect of a Ritz-Carlton property, the service is excellent.  A cadre of international employees, all fluent in English, meet guests in the lobby and escort them to their rooms. Room attendants are efficient and dinner service is top-notch.

Could be improved

Even technophiles may have trouble discerning how to operate the in-room stereo and CD-player.

Strongest Selling Points

With Superb views, luxurious rooms and outstanding service, the Hotel Arts makes it very easy to love Barcelona.