Barcelona’s best hotels for the summer months

Even though you'll surely be spending most of your time at the beach, finding the right hotel can make your summer stay in Barcelona even better.

Summer in Barcelona means long dinners on breezy plazas, a hearty paella at the beach after a morning of sunbathing, festivals, white wine and holiday season. It also means heat. While this spring has been unusually cold and rainy, summers are normally hot and humid in the city.

Keep the weather in mind while you’re looking for a hotel. Ask yourself these questions:

– Will my room have air conditioning?
– Will my room have a fan?
– Will my room have a window?
– Will that window open onto a noisy street, meaning I won’t be able to sleep?

If the heat bothers you, you’ll want to pay more and get A/C. To avoid noise from the street with the window open, don’t stay in the center of the city.

Here are a few hotels we like for the summer, for different reasons:

The Hostal Nuevo Colon’s proximity to the beach makes it a prime summer pick.

Hostal Nuevo Colon

Avenida Marqués de Argentera, 19
La Ribera
Doubles from $55

No air conditioning here, but there are fans. Ask for an interior room if you’re worried about noise from the street coming through an open window. The Nuevo Colon makes the list because it’s very close to the beach, which is excellent from June to October.

The air conditioning at the Hostal Orleans can be a lifesaver in August

Hostal Orleans

Avenida Marqués de la Argentera, 13
La Ribera
Doubles from $65

Like the Hostal Nuevo Colon, the Hostal Orleans is just a short walk to the beach or breezy Barceloneta. This hostal, however, offers air-conditioned rooms, which is almost a must in August, when the heat and humidity in the city are dialed up all the way.

The Hotel Banys Orientals provides a bit of summer luxury at Cheapo rates.

Hotel Banys Orientals

Calle Argenteria 37
La Ribera
Doubles from $130

A step (or three) up from both hostals, this hotel is one of our favorites, located not too far from the beach in the Born area. Not only does it have A/C, it also has a bar where you can have a refreshing cava mimosa and cool off in the evenings.

More ways to beat the heat

Keep in mind that Eixample hotels and hostals will also be good options, as the Eixample, especially in August, is less touristy. Anything on La Rambla and around Pl. Catalunya will be noisy.

Anything to add?

Do you have your own advice on how to take the ‘hot’ out of ‘hotel?’ How about any other questions or comments about summer in Barcelona?  Let us know by posting in the comments section below.