Pictured above is the W Hotel Barcelona ranking among UrbanBuddy’s favorite hotels in Barcelona. Topping the list are the Chic&Basic Born, the edgy Hotel Barcelo Raval and the Room Mate Emma. All located close to the center of Barcelona, in great neighborhoods and all boast impressive decor. Barcelo Raval stands out with an amazing 360 degree rooftop bar with views of all of Barcelona.

the favorites:

#1 in our book is:
Chic&Basic Born Barcelona is super cool, it’s a century-old building, a 22 feet-high ceiling, all white design, etc.
www.chicandbasic.com/eng/hotel_born_barcelona/

Hotel Barcelo Raval is one of our favorites because it’s a designers hotel, very contemporary / modern… and if you book in advance you get a discount! Located in an up-and-coming neighborhood (Raval) just don’t be surprised by the dark (sometimes) smelly streets… certainly a very interesting area. www.barceloraval.com/

Room Mate Emma is also a newer chic hotel, awesome design, cheaper with just as good of a look. http://www.room-matehotels.com/esp/barcelonahotel/emmahotel/emmahotel.php

Casa Camper is located in the arts district of the center, surrounded by many great museums. Excellent design, highly recommended: http://www.casacamper.com/

Hotel Omm is a 5* UBBER nice ($$$) boutique hotel with excellent restaurants. www.hotelomm.es/

Hotel Casta Fuster is one of our favortie buildings in the city, an old palace converted in to a lux hotel. www.hotelescenter.es/casafuster/

5 Star Hotels Barcelona

Hotel Arts Barcelona: Rita Carlton… most classy
W Barcelona: best views of the city and sea
Hotel Pulitzer: best lobby lounge
Hotel AB Skipper: most overlooked
Hotel Villa Emilia: best barbecue on the terrace
Hotel 1898: best/worst location
Mandarin Oriental: most likely to succeed the rest
Majestic Hotel: most fancy
ME Barcelona: best architecture
Hesperia Tower: coolest rooftop restaurant / club
Inglaterra: most connected

Great Hotels Barcelona

Hotel Casa Fuster: best palace lobby
Gran Hotel La Florida: most out-of-the-city experience
Hotel Omm: most tasteful
Hotel Neri: best plaza in the city
Axel Hotel: most heterofriendly gay boutique
Granados 83: the most 4 stars
Olivia Plaza: the most central
Chic&Basic: the most true to it’s name
Cram L’Hotel: worst website
Hotel AC Miramar: richest history with a view
Denit: best location for price
Hotel Diagonal: coolest neighboring skyscraper
The 5rooms: by far the most character
Somnio: the best hostel
La Reserva Rotana: closest island getaway
Porta Fira Santos: the redest skyscraper
Sixty Two: great location
Emma: most creative concept
Duquesa de Cardona: most classic styling
Hesperia Sagrada Familia Sport & Spa: best indoor spa & pool

Barcelona, Spain

Experience first hand how the 22@Barcelona Innovation District functions on the ground, in the office and as the model for the 21st century city. This UrbanBuddy workshop is now open to applicants. Participation is limited and is first-come, first-serve.

VIEW the Program Outline (PDF)

Overview.

Barcelona, Spain - UrbanBuddy introduces the 2nd annual Off Campus [workshop], first held during the fall of 2010 in Barcelona, as a cost effective means of international travel, study and exploration. Our aim is to connect students to Barcelona through a professional collaboration of experiential learning and cultural immersion. By participating you will observe the latest urban planning practices, tour the most innovative offices, visit new architecture (along with some old stuff) and learn from professional experts on-location; all in support of your own experiential research. Research credit is available. Click below to read more!

Workshop Brief.

The Off Campus [workshop] is a 5 day program based on a platform of experiential learning, supported by academic advisers, professional lectures & networking, university tours, guided site visits, office visits, cultural city tours and social events. UrbanBuddy will provide our student membership to all participants, including our 24 hour support to handle pre-departure and on-location logistics.

FIELDY STUDY: qualitative associations through photography

1 credit hour: The workshop will total 40 hours of presentations, lectures, architectural tours and professional office visits. Please contact your off campus academic advisor to coordinate the additional field study credit or independent study option.

DAILY PROGRAM

Day 1 [Wednesday, Oct 19]
04:00pm – Workshop Orientation
06:00pm – Office Visit: Ricardo Bofill Architects (featured on MTV’s CRIBS)
07:00pm – Tour: Walden 7 Housing Complex
09:00pm – Dinner, Welcome Party

Day 2 [Thursday, Oct 20]
10:00am – Bike Tour: Extensive look into the 22@ Innovation District
01:00pm – Presentation: 22@Barcelona, Rosina Vinyes Ballbe, Director of Urbanism
02:00pm – Lunch on the beach in the Olympic Village
03:00pm – Tourism: Gaudi’s Architecture (Sagrada Familia, Passeig de Gracia, sunset at Park Guell)
09:00pm – Dinner, Social Event to follow

Day 3 [Friday, Oct 21]
12:00pm – Tour: The Design HUB (DHUB) Museum, MBM Architects
01:00pm – Urbiotica (City Operating System)
02:00pm – Lunch in the Gothic Quarter
04:00pm – Office Visit: EMBT Architects (Parc Diagonal Mar)
05:00pm – Tour: EMBT’s Gas Natural Building
10:00pm – Dinner, Social Event to follow

Day 4 [Saturday, Oct 22]
12:00pm – Urban Landscape Tour: Labyrinth Gardens, Parks, Plazas, plus more!
06:00pm – Excursion: Tibidabo Mountain and Amusement Park
09:00pm – Dinner, Closing Party to follow

Day 5 [Sunday, Oct 23]
03:00pm – Free time / Departing Barcelona

Workshop Fee:
$250 USD before September 30
$300 USD from October 1 (fee does not include accommodation, transportation or meals)

Sign-up Online: Click Here

-or- email paulbrogna@urbanbuddy.com for payment details.