Why book?
Nobu is great value and oh-so-sexy in an up-and-coming location.
Set the scene
Nobu caused a stir when it opened next to Barcelona’s unfashionable Sants railway station in 2019. Since then both the hotel and the area have had a glow-up. Nobody will ever know which caused what but, frankly, who cares since Nobu Barcelona is now the only luxury hotel in one of Barcelona’s most fun neighborhoods.
Standing in the—let’s call a spade a spade—ugly square outside, it’s hard to imagine stepping over the threshold only to be surrounded by trendy young couples in one of Barcelona’s chicest spaces. The entrance to the hotel is inspired by a traditional Japanese Shinto Temple gate and the passage from the mortal world to the spiritual world. At Nobu Hotel Barcelona, it means switching the outdoor chaos for the peace and quiet of the hotel.
Inside it’s a zen fantasy: a beautiful abstract tapestry highlights the impressive double height of the lobby. The painting behind the reception desk–inspired by the Japanese ink art of sumi-e–is a motif that is carried across the hotel, as is the warm wood paneling, a running theme throughout the common areas and guest rooms.
The backstory
Built as an office block in the 1970s, the building later operated as the not-so-fancy Gran Hotel Torre Catalunya. Nobu Hospitality see themselves as ‘place-makers,’ meaning that they actively choose locations where they see potential for regeneration, and they’ve certainly succeeded here. In this age of sustainability, Nobu’s chosen location in an authentic neighborhood like Sants, right next to the station that links Barcelona to Paris and Madrid by high-speed train, is looking shrewdly inspired.
The rooms
In typical Nobu fashion, the 259 sleek, sexy guest rooms all use warm natural materials with soft lines and finishes to create a chilled-out vibe. Suites are airy and the traditional Japanese cedar-wood ‘Onsen’ bathtubs make you want to soak in style while gawking at the Sagrada Familia and the Barcelona skyline. Premium Skyline rooms are another spacious option with jaw-dropping views over the city. Request a corner room on the Montjuïc side of the hotel if the idea of waking up to watch the sun rising over the Mediterranean appeals.
Food and drink
Nobu is probably best known for its Japanese restaurants by legendary Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa. At Nobu Barcelona you can enjoy his signature creations – like the yellowtail sashimi or the wagyu gyoza with spicy ponzu – with Sagrada Familia views on the side from the 23rd floor of the hotel. One storey up, you will find Barcelona’s highest rooftop terrace with 360-degree views to match. The plunge pool is tiny, with priority given to eating and drinking, as opposed to lounging, with an open-air restaurant serving Nobu-inspired bites and cocktails.
The spa
Nowhere embodies the “zen” feel of Nobu Barcelona more than the subterranean spa—a wellbeing space that blends the ultra-modern with the age-old. Three treatment rooms are home to signature Nobu Spa Rituals, facial treatments by Natura Bissé and a massage menu using aromatherapy oils by Dr. Joseph.
The neighborhood/area
It’s no secret that the area around Barcelona’s main train station is rather scruffy and not the best place to be wandering around late at night. That said, the Sants neighborhood is just a couple of blocks away and brimming with local restaurants and wine bars, and you can reach central Barcelona in a matter of minutes by cab, train or metro.
The service
Like the Nobu brand, the service here is sleek and professional – although perhaps not the fastest in town.
For families
Connecting rooms are available across all categories.
Eco effort
Nobu Barcelona is in the process of switching over from single-use plastic amenities to larger refillables and is launching a project that will last into 2024 and beyond to make the building carbon neutral. It is working with Reforest to plant 2,300 trees just outside Barcelona over the next two years.
Accessibility
Nobu has ADA compliant rooms, including adapted beds, bathroom, mirrors, lights, and grab rails, ramp access to the lobby, wide doors, accessible elevators, and accessible toilets in public areas.
Bottom line: Worth it?
Service here isn’t the quickest in town but the overall comfort and beauty of your surroundings mostly make up for it—providing you don’t have a plane to catch!
Av. de Roma, 2, Barcelona, Catalonia 08014
Spain
https://reforestproject.com/