Historical Traveler Reviews of Arts Ritz Carlton Barcelona
Fab Fab Fab
from A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed at Hotel Arts over New Year. I would recommend this hotel to anyone (who can afford it - its not cheap!) The rooms are beautiful and the bathrooms are absolutely gorgeous (am trying to persuade my husband that we need a bathroom exactly the same at home!!!) The staff could not do enough for you - even escorting you to the ladies when you asked where "the little girls room" was. On the down side, the drinks in the bars are very expensive, but probably only to be expected in an hotel of this class. And because you tend to put them "on the room" it can mount up (as we found out!!) Highly recommended.
Amazing views of the city and beach
from A TripAdvisor Member
Probably the best hotel in Barcelona. My husband and I have stayed here several times. However, we were there over New Year and the hotel defiinitely had trouble coping with the number of guests. Depite this the Club Lounge staff did do their best to cope. We will return in the summer when it's not as frenetic. Amazing views of the City and the beach.
Very stylish hotel
from McBoot
This is one of the most stylish hotels I have been to. The room I stayed in was vast and very well designed. The public areas and bars are similarly impressive. Outstanding.
Horrible experience at Hotel Arts
from A TripAdvisor Member
My husband I decided to treat ourselves after a 12 day Med cruise and booked 2 nights at the Hotel Arts which is managed by the Ritz Carlton. From our past experiences at the Ritz, we thought this would be a very relaxing end to our tip. It was far from it. From check-in to the restaurants, pool, room service and overall attitude of the staff, this must be the stepchild of the Ritz Carlton group. Not only were the staff extremely rude, but would not even respond to any questions because "that is not their job". It was around 6pm that our room was finally ready, and although check-in is at 3pm, the staff informed us (and about 100 other guests), that guests that were suppose to checkout that day decided to stay late nad they couldn't do anything about it. If you ask for a manager, good luck if it is over a weekend. For 2 days, no manager was on duty and after writing a letter to the hotel, no response has been received in over 6 weeks. If you are thinking about this hotel for any reason, think again. You would be better off staying in a 3 star than wasting 400 euro a night on this property.
Lovely Hotel, Great Location
from MarylandTravelers
We stayed at the hotel in August 2003 and we were very impressed. The lobby is beautiful and our room overlooking the water was lovely and spacious--especially for Europe. The hotel is right near Port Olympico and has a beach, several shops, and numerous restaurants across the street. Overall, the staff went out of its way to be attentive. One one night we had a rude and inattentive waitress at the Marina restaurant and we complained to the restaurant manager. He immediately resolved the situation and apologized profusely. Overall, we enjoyed the hotel and would return.
Poorest Service Vastly Understaffed Hotel
from A TripAdvisor Member
If you are looking for service, forget this hotel. It is so severely understaffed, phones are seldom answered, by either the front desk, concierge, manager offices or operator...service standards are poor..condidtion and upkeep of rooms is substandard. Worst of all, all management does, when you can actually reach them after trying for hours, is pay lip service. Management neither cares enough to take care of guest concerns nor is it serious about servicing clients. I have to seriously question the criteria used by the American Hospitality Institute in granting this hotel 5 stars. It deserves far less.Unless you like agravation and frustration, avoid this hotel, there is bound to be a place in Barcelona where staff cares enough to take proper care of its guests. Nice building...but operation is rotten at its core...
Fabulous
from kunphuzn
Just spent 3 days at the Arts in Barcelona and cannot wait to return.
Even after the fiasco of Iberia Airlines losing our luggage for a full day (and we had not carried on anything!!) the experience at The Arts was one of my fondest in all my travels.
The staff, WOW! The conceriege made numerous calls to try and track down our bags, the front desk staff was probably the most courteous I have dealt with, ever and the hotel itself was beautiful.
Originally I was going to stay at the LeMeridien however due to reviews regarding the crowds on Las Ramblas, I was ecstatic that I had switched to The Arts. After visiting Les Ramblas and the Le Meridien, I would have been MISERABLE!! The Arts location is perfect.
I had a view of both the meditteranian and the city itself from my 19th floor room. The room was very, very large and I now know how I want to remodel my shower. I must say that the Hotel Arts has the best shower I have ever been in. I miss it still.......
I cannot recommend this hotel enough. Plus, definately spend some time at the pool where you will be waited on hand and foot. Nirvana!!!
Expected a little more from a Ritz managed hotel
from clueless20
Beautiful hotel with great service. Wonderful 24-hr fitness facility. A few complaints tho... twice we had no hot water and the beds were so soft we couldn't sleep the first night (we could feel the springs pressed up against us). We called the front desk the next morning and asked if something could be done to make the beds more comfortable. A short while later, two men showed up with wooden boards, which they placed under the beds. The beds were slightly more comfortable, but we still had trouble sleeping.
Excellent place to stay
from VivaLaFrance
The hotel is lovely and the service is impeccable. We had a beautiful view from our 12th floor corner room. Not a good area for restaurants, but cabs are plentiful and it's a short walk to the metro.
Luxury at it's Finest
from A TripAdvisor Member
From the moment we stepped into the Hotel Arts until we left four days later...we were treated like the most important people in the hotel. The staff goes out of it's way to accomodate each and every request...with a smile and "It's my Pleasure". Beautiful setting, wonderful staff, lovely hotel. We would stay again and again!