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The 3 Best City Hotels in Spain of 2025
Spain has no shortage of spectacular cities—Valencia, San Sebastián, Seville, to name a few. But when it came to ranking the places with the best hotels, readers preferred Barcelona and Madrid above all. Two winners from last year's WBA awards have once again cinched leading spots on the 2025 list, including Barcelona's Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection (No.3), a historic neoclassical private residence that's been transformed into a jewel box-like property. The Four Seasons Hotel Madrid, which came in second on this year's list, impressed guests with its 'thoughtful, personal service' and 'great location.' One traveler went even further, calling the 200-room hotel near Madrid's Puerta del Sol, 'Europe's finest.' To find out which hotel claimed the No.1 spot, we'll need to head to the Catalan capital.
Hotel Arts Barcelona: Barcelona, Spain Hotel Arts Barcelona's infinity pool.
Despite not ranking in last year's World's Best Awards, Barcelona's soaring, seafront Hotel Arts Barcelona—one of the city's original luxury properties—has found its way back into travelers' hearts. While many guests choose the 483-room hotel simpy for its covetable location on the Mediterranean, it's an equal hit among travelers who are looking for easy access to some of the city's coolest new urban developments, like the revitalized Port Olímpic marina, filled with destination-worthy dining, or the walkable 'Superblocks' of the hip Poblenou neighborhood. 'This is the best hotel I've ever stayed at in my 25 years of traveling around the world,' said one reader. Other readers praised the property for its family-friendly atmosphere, 'beautiful rooms,' and 'personalized service.'
This is the best hotel I've ever stayed at in my 25 years of traveling around the world.
— T+L Reader
1. Hotel Arts Barcelona
Reader Score: 94.95
2. Four Seasons Hotel Madrid
Reader Score: 93.18
3. Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection: Barcelona Reader Score: 90.82
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