Archway glass canopy over entrance with decorative iron gates beside vintage stone facade at El Palace Barcelona

Originally The Ritz of Barcelona

The city’s grand address since 1919.

Opened in 1919 as the Ritz Barcelona, El Palace Barcelona was the city’s first five-star hotel. The project was led by Francesc Cambó, the Catalan politician and cultural patron who believed Barcelona deserved a grand hotel of international stature, and shaped by César Ritz, the legendary hotelier regarded as the father of modern luxury hospitality.

From the beginning, this iconic hotel in the centre of Barcelona was created as more than a place to stay. It was designed as a social and cultural address for Barcelona, welcoming local society, international travellers, artists, and distinguished guests.

Vintage cars near fountain before classical grand facade displaying Hotel Ritz sign at El Palace Barcelona

The vision behind the hotel

Barcelona deserved a Ritz of its own

After visiting the Ritz in Madrid, Francesc Cambó imagined a hotel that would reflect Barcelona’s growing place among Europe’s great capitals. He persuaded César Ritz to support the project, bringing the Ritz philosophy of service, comfort, and social life to the city. The result became one of Barcelona’s defining hotels: a place where hospitality, culture, encounters, and celebration naturally came together.

Vintage cars parked near illuminated hotel entrance with event banners under marquee at night at El Palace Barcelona

Couples dancing under crystal chandeliers in vintage black and white archive ballroom photo at El Palace Barcelona

Black and white photo of models presenting evening dresses under hanging crystal chandeliers during El Palace Barcelona

A hotel in the life of Barcelona

A social address from the beginning

From its earliest years, the hotel became part of Barcelona’s social and cultural rhythm. Royal visits marked its opening, with King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia among its first distinguished guests.
Across more than a century, the hotel has lived alongside the city: through celebrations, cultural movements, artistic encounters, fashion gatherings, musical performances, gastronomy, and historic moments.

Black and white vintage photo of models walking the runway in evening gowns before a seated audience at El Palace Barcelona

Art, music, fashion & culture

A house of art, music and performance

Art, literature, music, and performance have long shaped the atmosphere of El Palace Barcelona. Salvador Dalí made the hotel his Barcelona residence with his wife, Gala, in what is now the Salvador Dalí Art Suite, while Joan Miró often visited the former Ritz to meet with fellow artists and intellectuals. That creative legacy continues through the Art Suites, inspired by figures closely connected to the hotel’s story: Dalí for painting, Miró for sculpture, Carlos Ruiz Zafón for literature, and César Ritz for the vision of modern luxury hospitality.

Vintage photo of attendees seated at the Premio Ramon Llull banner in El Palace Barcelona, hosting major events in Barcelona

Stories behind the doors

Two unforgettable moments

Vintage black and white photo of guests seated at formal dinner tables during a banquet celebration at El Palace Barcelona

Frank Sinatra’s shortest stay

Frank Sinatra visited the hotel several times, but one stay became part of its legend. In the late 1950s, a plane breakdown brought him to the hotel around midnight. A suite was arranged for his arrival, paella was ordered, and during the preparations, the hotel staff went out of their way to make him feel welcome. However, just as everything was ready and Sinatra was about to settle in, news arrived that the plane had been repaired. He and his entourage promptly left, turning what could have been a memorable overnight stay into one of the shortest and most amusing visits in the hotel's history.

Historic grand entrance hall featuring a curved marble staircase with ornate railing near reception at El Palace Barcelona

The night “Barcelona” began

In 1987, Freddie Mercury, the legendary Queen frontman, met Montserrat Caballé, the great Barcelona-born soprano, at the hotel, in what is now Cugat. Their encounter would lead to the iconic “Barcelona” anthem, created in anticipation of the 1992 Olympic Games. The song went on to become one of the defining musical tributes to the city, bringing together two extraordinary voices and forever linking their story to Barcelona.

Banquet table with guests seated before lush green backdrop with microphones and flowers at event at El Palace Barcelona

Where Barcelona came to see and be seen

The social heart of the city

From Fashion Tea gatherings and grand banquets to Afternoon Tea and contemporary Mediterranean dining, El Palace Barcelona has always been a place where the city gathers. In the 1940s, The Grand Hall became a stage for fashion shows and social gatherings, including the celebrated Fashion Tea, where designers, creatives, and Barcelona society came together in a setting shaped by elegance, style, and city life.

Uniformed doorman standing under glass entrance canopy featuring vibrant red curtains at El Palace Barcelona

A legacy of distinction

Leading travel publications, hospitality awards, and guests from around the world recognise El Palace Barcelona for its service, gastronomy, guest experience, and distinctive place within Barcelona’s luxury hotel landscape.

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Blue velvet sofa near ornate mirror over fireplace in elegant sitting area, exploring top 5-star accommodation in Barcelona

A living heritage

More than a century after opening its doors, El Palace Barcelona continues to evolve with the city. Its heritage lives through its suites, gastronomy, rooftop programming, cultural collaborations, music, and contemporary hospitality. Historic, but never still, the hotel remains part of Barcelona’s social and creative life today.

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