DUQUESA DE CARDONA
Understated Barcelona boutique hotel with unbeatable rooftop views.
YOU’D BE HARD PUSHED to find a more appealing location in Barcelona than that of Duquesa de Cardona. This 19th century aristocratic townhouse – a one-time royal retreat – has wide open views of the waterfront while being just minutes from the Ramblas and the city’s famous Gothic quarter.
With the city behind you and the clear light of the Med streaming in from the port, it hardly feels like a city-centre hotel. From the rooftop terrace, with its sunloungers and cooling plunge pool, you can soak up panoramic views along the Paseo Colon promenade and the harbour. Spot the Olympic Marina, the Christopher Columbus monument, the passenger cruisers and Montjuic hill.
If Barcelona's bold boutique addresses and daring designer pads are not for you, then Duquesa de Cardona's understated style, soothing shades and ample comforts probably are. Spacious rooms (it’s worth paying the premium for those front-facing harbour views) are elegantly fitted out with a contemporary-classic feel and plenty of techno-touches.
Hit the spot
Between the sea and the city’s Gothic quarter.
Pillow Talk
Front-facing junior suites and deluxe rooms have fabulous views over the marina.
Be savvy
Light sleepers might prefer a courtyard room, though you’ll miss the views and that wonderful light.
Be smitten
You'll love the hard-to-beat rooftop views.
Neo-classical facade
Discreet shades of cream, chocolate and khaki green are set off by suede furnishings, silk cushions, pleasing artworks and tall vases of lilies. Sprawling junior suites have his-and-hers bathrooms and outsize sofas whilst deluxe rooms have views across Paseo Colon to the water.
Rooms are well kitted out comfort zones with everything from wi-fi access, a plasma screen TV and choice of pillows to spotless, Bulgari-stocked bathrooms in the junior suites, with robes, slippers and bath salts.
Downstairs, the marble-floored lobby’s arched windows and neo-classical façade lend a nicely historic feel. Upstairs everything turns contempo-cool, with a rooftop plunge pool and cocktail bar – atmospherically lit at night – perfect for watching the sun go down. Be sure to book a table here for breakfast, in summer.
Service at the Duquesa de Cardona is spot-on and willing staff go the extra mile to help. All the sights of the city are within easy reach, and there’s no better place to start than the waterfront packed with bars, bistros and gardens right on your doorstep.
Duquesa de Cardona was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mairiona Cotter
YOU’D BE HARD PUSHED to find a more appealing location in Barcelona than that of Duquesa de Cardona. This 19th century aristocratic townhouse – a one-time royal retreat – has wide open views of the waterfront while being just minutes from the Ramblas and the city’s famous Gothic quarter.
With the city behind you and the clear light of the Med streaming in from the port, it hardly feels like a city-centre hotel. From the rooftop terrace, with its sunloungers and cooling plunge pool, you can soak up panoramic views along the Paseo Colon promenade and the harbour. Spot the Olympic Marina, the Christopher Columbus monument, the passenger cruisers and Montjuic hill.
If Barcelona's bold boutique addresses and daring designer pads are not for you, then Duquesa de Cardona's understated style, soothing shades and ample comforts probably are. Spacious rooms (it’s worth paying the premium for those front-facing harbour views) are elegantly fitted out with a contemporary-classic feel and plenty of techno-touches.
Hit the spot
Between the sea and the city’s Gothic quarter.
Pillow Talk
Front-facing junior suites and deluxe rooms have fabulous views over the marina.
Be savvy
Light sleepers might prefer a courtyard room, though you’ll miss the views and that wonderful light.
Be smitten
You'll love the hard-to-beat rooftop views.
Neo-classical facade
Discreet shades of cream, chocolate and khaki green are set off by suede furnishings, silk cushions, pleasing artworks and tall vases of lilies. Sprawling junior suites have his-and-hers bathrooms and outsize sofas whilst deluxe rooms have views across Paseo Colon to the water.
Rooms are well kitted out comfort zones with everything from wi-fi access, a plasma screen TV and choice of pillows to spotless, Bulgari-stocked bathrooms in the junior suites, with robes, slippers and bath salts.
Downstairs, the marble-floored lobby’s arched windows and neo-classical façade lend a nicely historic feel. Upstairs everything turns contempo-cool, with a rooftop plunge pool and cocktail bar – atmospherically lit at night – perfect for watching the sun go down. Be sure to book a table here for breakfast, in summer.
Service at the Duquesa de Cardona is spot-on and willing staff go the extra mile to help. All the sights of the city are within easy reach, and there’s no better place to start than the waterfront packed with bars, bistros and gardens right on your doorstep.
Duquesa de Cardona was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mairiona Cotter
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Dining in
Frescoes and a tall vaulted ceiling lend the hotel’s La Duquesa restaurant something of a Florentine villa feel. Crayfish with baked Iberian ham, chicken salad with soyabeans, radicchio and parmesan, and tatin of apricot with rosemary are just some of the culinary treats on offer. Breakfast is served here in the morning, and you can order tapas on the rooftop.
Breakfast
Buffet breakfast (EUR 14 per person) is served until 10:30. Nab a table on the rooftop terrace (book ahead in summer) for brilliant start-the-day views for EUR 25
Room service
Available 24 hours a day
Where?
La Duquesa at Duquesa de Cardona.
What’s cooking?
Traditional Mediterranean and more modern fusion dishes. Room service specials include fresh beef carpaccio with toast.
Top table?
By the window, where you can check out what's happening in the old town.
See & Do
You can’t come to Barcelona without taking in Gaudi’s mind-blowing architecture. His great unfinished masterwork Sagrada Familia (Gaudi is buried beneath the nave here), the extraordinary Casa Batllo house and the amazing stone structures of Guell park are unmissable, while other examples are everywhere. Fabulous churches and museums are all part of the city’s cultural fizz.
Exploring the cobbled medieval streets of the El Born neighbourhood and the world famous promenade of Las Ramblas are a must. Spending Sunday on Montjuic mountain, with its jogging trails and stunning vistas, makes a great escape from the streetside bustle.
Diary Dates
Late September
La Mercè festival turns Barcelona into one big street party. Watch out for the Correfoc – fire runs complete with dragons spraying sparklers into the crowds
August
Turn up if you dare for the Tomatina – a huge, squishy outdoor tomato fight. Not the place for your new designer gear.
Frescoes and a tall vaulted ceiling lend the hotel’s La Duquesa restaurant something of a Florentine villa feel. Crayfish with baked Iberian ham, chicken salad with soyabeans, radicchio and parmesan, and tatin of apricot with rosemary are just some of the culinary treats on offer. Breakfast is served here in the morning, and you can order tapas on the rooftop.
Breakfast
Buffet breakfast (EUR 14 per person) is served until 10:30. Nab a table on the rooftop terrace (book ahead in summer) for brilliant start-the-day views for EUR 25
Room service
Available 24 hours a day
Where?
La Duquesa at Duquesa de Cardona.
What’s cooking?
Traditional Mediterranean and more modern fusion dishes. Room service specials include fresh beef carpaccio with toast.
Top table?
By the window, where you can check out what's happening in the old town.
See & Do
You can’t come to Barcelona without taking in Gaudi’s mind-blowing architecture. His great unfinished masterwork Sagrada Familia (Gaudi is buried beneath the nave here), the extraordinary Casa Batllo house and the amazing stone structures of Guell park are unmissable, while other examples are everywhere. Fabulous churches and museums are all part of the city’s cultural fizz.
Exploring the cobbled medieval streets of the El Born neighbourhood and the world famous promenade of Las Ramblas are a must. Spending Sunday on Montjuic mountain, with its jogging trails and stunning vistas, makes a great escape from the streetside bustle.
Diary Dates
Late September
La Mercè festival turns Barcelona into one big street party. Watch out for the Correfoc – fire runs complete with dragons spraying sparklers into the crowds
August
Turn up if you dare for the Tomatina – a huge, squishy outdoor tomato fight. Not the place for your new designer gear.
GETTING THERE
Location
Paseo Colon, Barcelona 08002
Parking
No dedicated parking, but you don’t need wheels in Barcelona.
Trains
Mainline station: Francia – 1km. Metro stations: Drassanes (line 3), and Jaume (line 4).
Taxis
EUR 30-35 from the airport.
Airport
Barcelona Airport (El Prat) – 20km
Rooms and suites
35 rooms, 5 suites
Special features
You'll find everything from slippers and bathrobes to phone lines so you can talk and surf at the same time.
Also…
You can cool off in the rooftop pool, with its brilliant skyline and harbour views. Staff will bring you drinks poolside even if the upstairs bar has closed.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 160 - 495
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
3pm
Check-out
Midday
Minimum night stay?
No
Children
Welcome
Pets
No
Air conditioning
Yes – all rooms
Wedding license?
No
Location
Paseo Colon, Barcelona 08002
Parking
No dedicated parking, but you don’t need wheels in Barcelona.
Trains
Mainline station: Francia – 1km. Metro stations: Drassanes (line 3), and Jaume (line 4).
Taxis
EUR 30-35 from the airport.
Airport
Barcelona Airport (El Prat) – 20km
Rooms and suites
35 rooms, 5 suites
Special features
You'll find everything from slippers and bathrobes to phone lines so you can talk and surf at the same time.
Also…
You can cool off in the rooftop pool, with its brilliant skyline and harbour views. Staff will bring you drinks poolside even if the upstairs bar has closed.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 160 - 495
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
3pm
Check-out
Midday
Minimum night stay?
No
Children
Welcome
Pets
No
Air conditioning
Yes – all rooms
Wedding license?
No
BOOK THIS HOTEL
Room for Romance Extra
A complimentary bottle of Cava, plus (if available) a room upgrade.
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