Nobu Hotel Barcelona

The Nobu brand, today, is synonymous with more than sushi — with the advent of the eponymous hotels, the name now calls to mind a collection of chic, luxurious modern hotels, in addition to chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s trademark Peruvian-Japanese cuisine. Combine all that with a location in Sants, one of Barcelona’s most rapidly evolving neighborhoods, within a 23-story tower that dates back to the 1970s, and it’s clear you’re in for something quite out of the ordinary.

It just about goes without saying that the rooms and suites are impeccably well designed, with identifiable notes of both Japanese and Spanish visual influence. The greatest advantage of the location is the far-ranging views afforded to guests, which not many of Barcelona’s best hotels can promise. And if it’s not as walkable as some of the city’s older neighborhoods, it makes up for it with quick and efficient links to the local transit lines.

Anyway, here there’s plenty of space for a substantial spa and fitness center. Meanwhile, this is a city that takes its food seriously. Nobu Barcelona, on the 23rd floor, tips its hat to its setting, incorporating Catalonian flavors in its locally adapted menu. And just upstairs is the highest hotel roof terrace in town, complete with light bites, cocktails, and a charming little plunge pool.