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Stepping off Rambla de Catalunya (not to be confused with Barcelona’s iconic central street La Rambla) into NH Collection’s Gran Hotel Calderón feels more like entering an art gallery or bank headquarters than a hotel in the city’s heaving tourist heart. It isn’t just the bright white furnishings, shiny full-length glass windows and vast screen, it’s the sense of calm. The Calderón may not be Barcelona’s most traditional hotel stay, but it is an effective remedy to what can be a manic, intense city.
The Gran Hotel Calderón is part of the NH Collection, a Spanish brand that is part of a wider international group called Minor Hotels. It was built in the 1970s on the site of the old Teatro Calderón, which was once one of Barcelona’s biggest theatres, and had a major refurb in 2016.
What are the rooms like at Gran Hotel Calderón?
It’s easy to see how the Calderón may once have been a beacon of modern hotelling, full of neat capsules designed to accommodate Barcelona’s hordes of visitors. These days its rooms are showing their age – 2016 is, after all, a decade ago – with no shortage of scuffs and wonky fittings (and a very dated looking mini-fridge). That said, there were plenty of positives.
My room, a ‘superior with terrace’, had most things you need from functional city-centre accommodation. Amenities were slotted into a tidily sized space, with a few wardrobe fronts’ worth of storage and a bathroom kitted out with fragrant toiletries, a bidet, hairdryer and a shower with great temperature control and water pressure. The bedroom was in-keeping with the foyer’s stark white but enlivened by a curvy, cherry-red chair and a helpful Alexa with tourist and hotel info. Critically, everything was clean, the bed was comfy and the air-con was effective.
But there were rather a few notable annoyances. Very little internal soundproofing meant that a night’s sleep was reliant on guests tiptoeing through the corridors. The wardrobe door didn’t open properly because of a poorly placed fire alarm. The shower control panel just sort of… came off. The balcony, ostensibly a perk with views of the tree-lined avenue, ended up as an invitation for guests on upper floors to chuck cigarette butts on (though the Calderón is a non-smoking hotel).
What are the facilities like at Gran Hotel Calderón?
By far NH Calderón’s strongest asset – and in itself an entire reason to stay here – is its rooftop. On the 11th floor is a bar (more on that below) and a pool – and the latter is plainly spectacular. Open from 8am to 8pm all year around (though it isn’t heated), the pool offers 360-degree views out over pretty much the entire city, with particularly direct vistas of the Sagrada Familia.
Also catering to the Calderón’s 255 guest rooms is a 24/7 gym and, notably, an army of keen, helpful, delightful staff. Whatever question or issue was raised, a staff member had a solution. Oh, and if you’re here on business there are nine meeting rooms to choose from.
What is the food and drink like at Gran Hotel Calderón?
There are a few eating and drinking options at the Calderón. The most unmissable is the rooftop bar, which is called Eleven BCN and has all the views of the pool but with a later opening time (midnight or 1am depending on the night) and, obviously, drinks. As expected of a rooftop bar, it’s a tad more expensive than most of your options at street level (expect to pay €15-plus for a cocktail or spirit) but it’s well worth making the most of as a guest.
Breakfast, served on the ground floor, offered a splendorous spread of cereal, granola, nuts, fresh fruit, pastries, crepes, muffins, meats and cheeses, plus eggs à la carte and, for the local grub hunters, crema catalana. Even if the coffee is just from a machine, the Calderón’s breakfast selection is much bigger than most continental buffets.
Barcelona is blessed with countless gastronomic treasures. On my visit to the Calderón’s in-house dinner spot Tablafina, it was telling that the place was very quiet. You’ll find all the usual tapas choices, in big portions and at reasonable prices, but no standouts. Even with the outdoor seating on the avenue, there isn’t really a reason to eat here.
What’s the area like around Gran Hotel Calderón?
NH Collection is known for the prime location of its hotels, and the Gran Hotel Calderón is no different. Rambla de Catalunya, a handsome tree-lined street, runs parallel to Passeig de Gracia in the Eixample neighbourhood. It’s one of Barcelona’s busiest areas and best known for its big-brand shops, though tourists are also within easy walking distance of Gaudí’s Casa Battló and Casa Milà, as well as excellent art museum Museu Tàpies and the grand Plaça de Catalunya.
DETAILS
Address: Rambla de Catalunya 26, Eixample, 08007
Price per night: From €136 per night.
Closest transport link: Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, L4).
Book now: Click here.
