Tucked away behind the commanding cathedral, the heart of Barcelona’s Barri Gòtic, is one of the quietest corners of this bustling district. Here, what was once a medieval cemetery is now the shady plaza Sant Felip Neri. Enclosed by its namesake Baroque church, a primary boys school and a shoe museum (!) with a few gypsy guitarists snoozing under the large laburnam tree, this square could only get more eclectic if, say, a boutique hotel opened in it. And that’s exactly what Neri did.
It’s actually the hotel’s trendy restaurant/bar that opens onto the square; the front entrance is off the narrow street of San Sever. Typical of the 18th-century palace Neri was in its former life, its reception area is lofty, grand and made to impress. But not overly so, because the designers have shaken off the onerous formality of its haughty past and created a vibrant, polished and light-filled space that feels truly modern. With its chic interiors, 22 stylish rooms, 6 self-catering apartments and an upscale restaurant, the Neri is at the forefront of the hip, small hotels in Barcelona.
Highs
- Rooms are classy and cool, with comforts including linen and pillow selections, robes and slippers
- Staff are friendly and helpful
- A great location, near the cathedral, the Ramblas and the city's nightlife
- The trendy restaurant with its stone arches and innovative menu
- The setting is surprisingly quiet for the Barri Gòtic
Lows
- This is the hub of Barcelona's pickpockets' haven, so keep an eye on your wallet
- Rooms are sometimes not made up until late afternoon
- Can be hard to find (we went round in circles) and it's in a pedestrian zone, so contact the hotel if you need luggage assistance for the final 200m
- The restaurant has had a complete makeover since we last visited, so we're yet to try out the new menu
Best time to go
All year, except perhaps the last couple of weeks in August when many of the shops and bars in the Barri Gòtic are shut. The heat in summer (June to September) can be intense, while spring and autumn are generally pleasantly warm and sunny. December to February is chilly and quiet, except for the Christmas and New Year period, which the Catalans embrace with gusto.
Our top tips
The Barri Gòtic is a bit of a maze - try to memorise the map so you don’t spend ages on your way home stumbling up wrong alleyways.
- Boutique Hotel
- 22 rooms and 6 apartments
- Restaurant and bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
Rooms
Neri's stylish rooms are spread over 3 floors, each with a different theme. On the 3rd floor, comissioned artists have created contemporary interpretations of sunrise and sunset, while abstract flowers in lustrous reds, pinks and oranges are features of the 2nd floor rooms. Frosty metallics and wood form a captivating combination on the 1st floor, which also houses the biggest suites.
Our favourite room is Junior Suite 107. Its corner location, high ceilings and huge windows make it the lightest room. Suite 106 is darker but has a private sitting room with seductive red sofas. However, all the rooms are beautifully furnished with wooden floors, funky lighting and luscious velvet and silk cushions.
Up on the third floor are the Deluxe with terrace rooms, which benefit from outdoor areas overlooking the buzzy square. Most of the Classic rooms are on the 'flower' floor below, and have showers only; the Deluxe rooms and Suites have roomy tubs set in a sparkly quartz stone imported from India. All bathrooms feature natural stone, have the latest chrome fittings and are equipped with Molton Brown toiletries.
The 6 self-catering apartments are housed in a separate block overlooking the square. They each feature a bedroom, bathroom, fully-equipped kitchen and living room with a sofabed - a great option if you're bringing the youngsters.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Bluetooth sound system
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Trendy a restaurant has a high-pedigree chef who brings serious flair to the modern dishes presented. The eclectic menu is a fusion of influences from around the world, with a mouthwatering variety of seafood and meat dishes on offer: think oysters to start, then scallops in broth or prawn carpaccio, and Moorish-style chicken with baba ganoush and mint. Desserts could be French toast with smoked milk ice cream, or chocolate coulant.
Lunch and Breakfast are also served here. Begin your day with a traditional tapas-like feast, with plenty of cheeses, meats, smoked salmon and tortillas on offer, as well as fruit and yoghurt and huevos any way you want. It's quite expensive so you might prefer to pop to a cafe.
The Lounge Bar is the perfect spot to sample a classic Rioja, or perhaps a glass of kosher wine particular to the Barcelona region. At sunset, take your drink up to the rooftop terrace, a tranquil spot perfumed with flowering Jasmine.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- The magnificent cathedral (La Seu) with its soaring stone-laced facade, gothic gargoyles and gaggle of geese guarding the leafy cloister is literally around the corner from the hotel
- Roman Barcelona was known as Barcino and in the Museu d’Historia de la Ciutat on Plaça del Rei you can see remains of this very ancient time, including walls, public baths and mosaic floors from 12 BC
- Also on Plaça del Rei is the Palau Reial Major (Royal Palace) where, underneath the massive arches of the Salo del Tinell room, Queen Isabella received Columbus after his triumphant return from America
- Explore the maze of streets in the former Jewish quarter, the Call, where you are bound to stumble into a charming courtyard of one of the many medieval mansions scattered about
- Just beyond the borders of the Barri Gòtic is the city’s most famous avenue, the lively tree-lined boulevard of La Rambla
- Also nearby is the MACBA, Barcelona's airy contemporary art museum, and the Picasso Museum, which houses paintings spanning the artist's life
- Fifteen minutes' walk away lie the wide boulevards of the 19th century Eixample district, home to boutique shops and the colourful, curvavious modernista architecture of Gaudí
- The hotel can arrange private walking tours with an English-speaking guide (please ask for details)
- Catch some rays on the hotel's rooftop terrace, with sun loungers and a shower to cool off
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Traditional cultures
- Wine tasting
Kids
Although children are welcome there are no specific facilities for them, so older children (12+ years) would probably be more suited to the surroundings. Cots and extra beds are available on request.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Baby equipment:
Baby cots are available on request
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Distances:
- Airport: 30 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Neri Hotel is located in the Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) of Barcelona. It's 10km from the airport and within walking distance of the Liceu and Plaça de Catalunya metro stations.
By Air:
Barcelona El Prat (10km away) is the closest airport and has many internal and international links.
From the Airport:
The hotel can provide luxury transfers from Barcelona airport, or you can take a taxi from around €25. Please note that because of the narrow streets, cars/taxis can only go as far as Plaça de Sant Jaume, but a porter can be sent to bring your bags down the final stretch (it's about a 3-minute walk). You can also take the Aerobus or the train (which run every 15 minutes) from the airport to Plaça de Catalunya.
By Train:
For a more eco-friendly trip, take the mid-afternoon Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then transfer to the overnight sleeper to Barcelona, which arrives early the next morning.
Getting Around:
The metro is quick, cheap and efficient, with a comprehensive network, but watch out for pickpockets. The nearest metro stations are Liceu and Plaça de Catalunya.
By Car:
It's unlikely you'll need a car in Barcelona, but if you want to hire one to explore the surrounding countryside, see our car rental recommendations. There's off-street parking in front of the nearby cathedral, but be aware that the medieval streets of the Barri Gòtic are not made for modern 4-wheel transport!
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Barcelona El Prat 10.0 km BCN
Other:
- Beach 2.0 km
- Shops 0.5 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km