Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona

We have had a wonderful stay at the hotel, which is a highlight in Spain. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming (always with a big smile), trying to understand our preferences and making our stay special! We could feel their care and thoroughness through the efficient services and some extra surprises e.g., a lovely paper craft flower with room service, a little cable tie, extra body cream (we used a lot), fresh fruit, handwritten cards. Many thanks! We particularly appreciate Ana’s thoughtful care and heartwarming messages with chocolates! We also enjoyed the daily brekkie at the Blanc Resturant. Ekaterina and Paulina, your attentive service was impressive!

We recently enjoyed the most lovely stay at the Mandarin in Barcelona. From the moment we arrived, the staff were welcoming and exceedingly attentive and thoughtful. From the bellman, to Jili and the concierge team, the spa staff, and of course restaurant staff, the experience was nothing short of incredible. We’ve had a number of stays at competing brands (The Four Seasons, The Ritz, The St. Regis, etc.) and we’ve never experienced such genuinely personal and professional service. Well done to hotel management for cultivating such wonderful employees and fostering a beautiful experience for guests. We stayed in a deluxe balcony suite. The room was perfect and very large, even by North American standards. My husband became ill on our last day in Barcelona the hotel very quickly accommodated a second room for us. We will absolutely return!

1. Arrival & First Impression When landing in Barcelona and booking the hotel’s private pickup service, the vacation begins immediately at the airport. The experience is seamless and reassuring. Our driver, Majdi, was exceptional—punctual, courteous, and highly knowledgeable. Beyond flawless driving, he shared excellent recommendations around the city, setting a confident and relaxed tone from the very first moment. ⸻ 2. Welcome, Ambience & Location Upon arrival at Mandarin Oriental Barcelona, we were welcomed by a team of five to six staff members. The reception felt coordinated, warm, and genuinely hospitable. Within minutes, any sense of travel fatigue disappeared. The ambience is refined and calm, understated yet unmistakably luxurious. The location is equally strong—central, elegant, and perfectly suited for exploring the city while retaining a sense of retreat. Service: 10/10 Ambience: 10/10 Location: 10/10 ⸻ 3. The Room Experience We are not entirely certain of the official room category, but it was unquestionably a suite. Suite 123 proved to be ideal—spacious, perfectly maintained, and thoughtfully laid out. It is especially well suited for guests traveling with a small dog, offering comfort, space, and ease without compromise. Cleanliness, quiet, and overall room quality were consistently excellent. ⸻ 4. Service Culture & Hospitality What stands out most is the service culture. From reception and concierge to housekeeping and restaurant staff, friendliness and professionalism are consistently world-class. Interactions feel sincere rather than scripted, attentive without being intrusive. This level of hospitality creates a genuine sense of ease throughout the stay. Big thanks to Pablo ⸻ 5. Dining & New Year’s Eve Dinner Dining overall was of very high quality. Ingredients, execution, and presentation met expectations at this level. Food (overall): 10/10 The only criticism applies to the New Year’s Eve dinner. Dietary intolerances (milk and eggs) were clearly communicated and respected. While the quality was good, the experience lacked distinction and failed to impress. The dessert, consisting only of fruit and a chocolate sauce, was particularly underwhelming given the occasion. Expectations were higher for such an evening. ⸻ 6. Final Judgment Despite the New Year’s Eve dinner not reaching an outstanding level, the overall experience remains exceptional. Service, friendliness, cleanliness, atmosphere, and operational quality are all delivered at the highest standard. Absolutely recommendable. A truly world-class hotel in Barcelona, defined by consistency, warmth, and an outstanding team. Kind regards, Olek (Alexander :) )