Why book?
French luxury brand Sofitel brings its joie de vivre to the Barcelona beachfront—at a more affordable price point than many of its neighbors.
Set the scene
If you imagined the Mediterranean mecca of Barcelona to be brimming with luxury beachfront hotels, think again. At present, there are only three, if you want to stay within easy striking distance of the city center. Next door to the ultra-luxe Hotel Arts, in Barcelona’s Port Olímpic (Olympic Port) district, Sofitel Barcelona Skipper strikes the perfect balance between luxury and affordability. Slightly less flashy than Hotel Arts or W Barcelona—but considerably more accessible—this is the ideal stay for families and couples who want a comfortable base close to the beach without breaking the bank.
The backstory
Formerly the Pullman, the property that houses the Barcelona Skipper reopened in 2022 following a major refurb, as part of Accor’s luxury Sofitel brand. Today, you’ll find a modern hotel steeped in French elegance, from the superb service, to the maritime-themed interiors. You’ll also spot plenty of French bon vivants sporting matching Louis Vuitton luggage sets—interspersed with a mix of European and North American travelers.
The rooms
Rooms range from the 300-square-foot Superior with City Views to the spacious suites with private terraces or gardens. We prefer the Junior Suite with Ocean Views, with its seating area, walk-in shower, separate tub, amenities from French spa brand Diptyque and (you guessed it!) killer views of the Mediterranean. At 570 square feet and starting from less than $400 in low season, it offers an unbeatable balance of cost versus quality. All rooms come in maritime-themed royal blue and white, with Gaudi inspired designs creating a decidedly Paris-meets-Barcelona sense of sophistication.
Food and drink
The main restaurant is the indoor-outdoor Tendiez, which does everything from cocktails to tapas to traditional Spanish dishes like paella, using mainly locally sourced ingredients. There are some nods to French cuisine too—like the Galician brown crab vichyssoise with green apple and avocado, or the hake and mussels with Café Paris sauce and fries. Don’t miss the excellent breakfast which is served buffet and à la carte-style on the terrace overlooking the main swimming pool (weather permitting). The rooftop pool also serves drinks and bar bites, accompanied by a banging bassline.
The neighborhood/area
If chilling by a pool or on the beach is how you prefer to spend your vacation, Sofitel Barcelona Skipper has you covered. Between its two swimming pools (one vast and family friendly on the ground floor, the other smaller, prettier and more adult-focused on the rooftop) and the less-than-three-minute walk from the main door to the sands of Somorrostro beach, sun worshippers and beach bums will want for very little.
The location is less convenient for culture buffs and foodies keen to explore the city. You can reach the Ciutadella Park and charming El Born neighborhood on foot in about 20 minutes (although you’d be advised to take a cab after dark) and anything else will require either a taxi or public transportation. Conveniently, the Ciutadella – Vila Olímpica metro station is five minutes away, from where you can hop on the L4 line to Poble Nou, the Gothic Quarter, Passeig de Gràcia, and Gràcia neighborhood.
The service
Barcelona service is notoriously casual but Sofitel is a French brand and you may notice that the staff here are that bit more formal than elsewhere in the city. The concierge desk is excellent and will set you up with whatever your heart desires, from tickets to see FC Barcelona to Michelin-starred dining and everything in between.
For families
Children stay for free up to age 11 and receive special Le Petit Prince-themed kids’ toiletries. The capacious ground-floor swimming pool is a dream for families who want to spend the day splish-splashing in the sun.
Eco effort
The recent refurbishment focused heavily on sustainability and includes: the installation of 82 solar panels, a motion detector system for optimizing temperature control and air conditioning, a vertical garden with an automated responsible irrigation system, saline electrolysis in the swimming pools to avoid the use of chlorine. Single-use plastics have been eliminated and all rooms have refillable glass water bottles. Food is locally sourced and a food waste program has been implemented. Every week, 50 meals are donated to a social aid initiative.
Accessibility
Four wheelchair-adapted rooms, in addition to accessible entrance, bathrooms, showers, gym, rooftop and rooftop pool (although there is no hoist for the pool) and restaurants.
Anything left to mention?
The rooftop terrace is the hotel’s crowning glory—or pièce de resistance, if you will—with its panoramic Mediterranean views, plentiful sunbeds, and refreshing swimming pool.
Avenida del Litoral 10, Barcelona, 08005
Spain
https://all.accor.com/hotel/7341/index.en.shtml
+34 932 21 65 65