Gran Hotel Torre Catalunya

**⭐⭐⭐ Good brand, but 3.5-4 star effort at 5-star prices** Nobu Hotel Barcelona markets itself as five-star, but our stay didn't match. **The building:** It's showing its age, with worn finishes and broken toilet seats. The wifi was weak and unreliable, the elevators were temperamental, and the climate control panel blasted freezing air no matter how high we set the temperature. The rooftop was closed, likely because of the weather, so I won't hold that against them. **The staff:** Some team members were helpful and kind. Others seemed annoyed by normal guest requests, argumentative, or just rude. That inconsistency points to a management and culture issue. For a brand with American and Japanese roots serving international guests, I also expected a stronger hospitality and guest experience approach. **Bottom line:** We weren't alone. We overheard several other guests describing similar problems and disappointments during our stay. The good staff show what this hotel could be, but at these prices, working facilities and consistent hospitality should be a given. Whoever is responsible, whether Nobu Hospitality or the ownership group, needs to step up.

We had a lovely stay at Nobu Hotel Barcelona. The staff were generally very friendly and welcoming. A special mention to Abdul, who was fantastic throughout our stay. He helped us with all of our luggage, made sure we had a car ready when we needed one, and was on hand from check-in right through to check-out. The gentleman who checked us in was also really friendly and welcoming. The rooftop bar was lovely, with a great atmosphere, and the bartender made some really good cocktails. We also ate at the Nobu restaurant. The food was okay — not the best Nobu meal we’ve had, but certainly not the worst. Unfortunately, we found the service there a little disappointing compared with the rest of the hotel. Overall, it’s a lovely hotel and we enjoyed our stay. The location is good if you want to be slightly outside the main hustle and bustle of the city. It’s around a 25–30 minute walk into the main shopping areas, and the hotel is also really close to the train station, which is very convenient if you’re planning any day trips. Overall, a lovely stay and the hotel team, particularly Abdul, made us feel very well looked after.

We had the most wonderful stay at Nobu Barcelona, and we couldn’t be more grateful to Amaia for making our experience so special. From the moment we arrived, we felt incredibly welcomed and well taken care of. The whole Nobu team was so kind, attentive and helpful throughout our stay, and their warm hospitality truly made a difference. Also, a special thanks to Lucy who was incredible too. We also had the opportunity to enjoy the Omakase tasting menu, which was absolutely exceptional. A huge thank you to Amaia and the whole Nobu team for their kindness and care. We genuinely couldn’t have wished for a better stay and are leaving with such wonderful memories of Nobu Barcelona. We would absolutely love to come back again in the future.

I had high expectations for Nobu Hotel Barcelona, but unfortunately the experience didn’t live up to its five-star rating. On the positive side, the rooms are spacious and feature a beautiful Japanese-inspired design with a calm, minimalist atmosphere. I particularly appreciated the in-room Bluetooth speaker, the quality amenities, and the breakfast, which offered an excellent and diverse selection with plenty of fresh options. However, there were several disappointing aspects. Much of the furniture showed visible scratches and signs of heavy wear, making the room feel tired rather than luxurious. The location is far from ideal, surrounded by unattractive buildings and construction sites. Even from the 18th floor, the views were disappointing. The biggest letdown was the pool. It is misleadingly advertised—it is essentially a small plunge pool with just a handful of loungers that were never available during my stay. If you’re expecting a proper hotel pool, you’ll be disappointed. The shower was another major issue. Water pressure was extremely weak, turning what should have been a relaxing experience into a frustrating one. Having previously stayed at Nobu London, I know what the brand is capable of, and that experience was on a completely different level. In comparison, the Barcelona property falls well below the standard I expected from the Nobu name. Overall, while the rooms and breakfast have several strong points, the overall experience falls well short of what I expect from a luxury five-star hotel. Based on my stay, I would rate it closer to a 3.5-star hotel than a true 5-star property.