10/10
“Stunning”
An absolutely beautiful hotel of old world Spanish tradition
Barcelona · head to head
Hotel El Palace Barcelona vs Ohla Barcelona
Priced on the same night, 2026-10-25: Ohla Barcelona is $249 a night less. They are 552 metres apart.
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The honest take
El Palace is cheaper at $782 versus Ohla's $820, and it wins on facilities alone: pet-friendly, parking and its own rooftop, none of which Ohla lists. Ohla edges it slightly on review volume-to-rating ratio and sits in the old city near Palau de la Música rather than on the Eixample's grand boulevard. Book El Palace if you want a proper grand hotel experience with the extras sorted; book Ohla if location in the historic centre and its rooftop pool matter more to you than the small price gap.
The look and the feel
Hotel El Palace Barcelona
El Palace occupies a former Ritz building on Gran Via, all marble staircases, chandeliers and a certain Belle Époque solemnity that Barcelona's grand hotels traded in a century ago. The listing plays up a Mayan-style spa, which is an odd, theatrical note against the classical bones of the place, but it fits a hotel that has always leaned into old-world indulgence rather than minimalism. Public rooms are heavy with brocade and gilt, the kind of lobby where afternoon tea still feels correct. It draws an older, moneyed crowd who want service and hush over street noise and design statements.
Guests wanting classic grand-hotel formality, a car and driver, and a dog along for the trip.
Ohla Barcelona
Ohla sits behind a restored nineteenth-century facade on Via Laietana, with eyeballs painted across the stone exterior by artist Frederic Amat, a wink that tells you the interior won't be stuffy. Inside it's contemporary Catalan design, white surfaces, sculptural lighting, a rooftop pool and bar looking over the Gothic Quarter's rooftops. Chef Romain Fornell runs the kitchens, so food is treated as a headline feature rather than an afterthought. It suits a younger or design-curious guest who wants a lively rooftop scene and immediate access to the medieval streets below.
Guests who want rooftop views, serious food and a base inside the old city's tangle of streets.
At $38 less, El Palace gives up nothing on the facility list; if anything it's Ohla that lacks pet allowance, parking and a rooftop, so the trade-off here runs the other way, in Ohla's favour on price and against it on those extras.
Ohla is the more interesting building to be in, its playful painted eyes and rooftop pool making it feel alive in a way El Palace's more conventional grandeur, however comfortable, doesn't quite match.
The numbers
| Hotel El Palace Barcelona | Ohla Barcelona | |
|---|---|---|
| Price, same night | $684 | $435 |
| Guest rating | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| Reviews | 2408 | 1451 |
| Stars | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Facilities on our list | 8 | 5 |
| Distance apart | 552 m |
What one has that the other doesn't
Only Hotel El Palace Barcelona has
- Pet
- Parking
- Rooftop
Only Ohla Barcelona has
Nothing on our list that Hotel El Palace Barcelona lacks.
What guests actually say
Hotel El Palace Barcelona
- elegant historical interiors
- excellent attentive service
- luxurious breakfast
- some staff seemed haughty
“Location perfect. Breakfast wonderful and luxurious.”
Ohla Barcelona
- friendly helpful staff
- excellent central location
- tasty breakfast
- dark shiny decor with poor lighting
- small lifts and dark corridors
- breakfast below expectations for price
“This hotel was perfect! From the moment we stepped thru the front door, we knew that we had made the right decision.”
El Palace guests come away happier overall, praising its grand, elegant atmosphere and flawless service, while Ohla's reviews are more mixed, citing dark decor and disappointing breakfast against the price.
Rooms & rates, 2026-10-25
Hotel El Palace Barcelona
- Superior Double or Twin RoomRoom Only$673
- Double Room, SuperiorRoom Only$684
- Room SuperiorRoom Only$709
Ohla Barcelona
- Standard RoomBreakfast Included$435
- Standard Room(1 Queen Bed)Breakfast Included$435
- Standard Room(2 Twin Beds)Breakfast Included$435
In guests' own words
Hotel El Palace Barcelona
10/10
“Lovely place! The best in the city.”
Beautiful. Historical. Classy. Clean. Comfortable. Amazing breakfast.
Please leave more water for each guest room. And an ironing board.
10/10
We absolutely loved the atmosphere of the hotel. The interiors are beautiful, elegant and full of character, and the whole place has a very special charm. The service was excellent, and we really enjoyed our stay.
Ohla Barcelona
1/10
Honestly nothing
Staff and homeless around the facility
7/10
“If you like, black & shiny with a great location, Then this hotel is for you. If you prefer a more traditional feel”
The location was excellent along with the staff.
The decor was very dark and shiny and the lighting was not good. The corridors were very dark, not great for accessibility and there were only 2 lifts which were very small for the size of the hotel. The breakfast also let the hotel down, overall we felt the price per night didn’t reflect the hotel standard.
10/10
“Perfect start to a Barcelona vacation”
This hotel was perfect! From the moment we stepped thru the front door, we knew that we had made the right decision. The staff is outstanding! This was our first time in Barcelona. This hotel is in the perfect locaton and walkable to many great sites. Awesome breakfast on-site. This is a perfect start to your Barcelona vacation.
This is a perfect hotel. Nothing to complain about here.
About each
Hotel El Palace Barcelona
Luxurious Mayan-Style Spa Hotel El Palace Barcelona offers a unique Mayan-style luxury spa, providing guests with a relaxing and rejuvenating experience during their stay. Gourmet Dining Options With two exquisite restaurants and a stylish cocktail bar, guests can indulge in a culinary journey without leaving the hotel premises. Convenient Location and…
Check-in — · Check-out 12:00 PM
Ohla Barcelona
Rooftop Pool with Stunning City Views Experience luxury at Ohla Barcelona, where a rooftop pool awaits with breathtaking views of the city skyline. Unwind on the chill-out terrace and soak in the vibrant atmosphere. Culinary Delights by Renowned Chef Romain Fornell Indulge in a gastronomic journey curated by head chef Romain Fornell at the hotel's exquisite…
Check-in — · Check-out 12:00 PM
Facilities, in full
Hotel El Palace Barcelona
- Fitness facilities
- WiFi available
- Free WiFi
- Parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Fitness center
- Swimming pool
- 24-hour front desk
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Business center
- Heating
- Terrace
- Family rooms
- Garden
Ohla Barcelona
- Fitness facilities
- WiFi available
- Free WiFi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Fitness center
- Swimming pool
- 24-hour front desk
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Business center
- Heating
- Terrace
- Family rooms
- Lift / Elevator
- Laundry
Where they are
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 668Via Laietana, 49
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Rates are live for 2026-10-25, one night, two guests, fetched together so the two are comparable. Facilities and reviews are from each hotel's own listing. The honest take is written by our AI from the listing, the reviews and what is widely known about each hotel. HotelDupe earns a commission if you book, which never changes the verdict. All comparisons