W BARCELONA

There’s been no shortage of controversy surrounding the construction of Ricardo Bofill’s sailshaped building: too tall, too big, too close to the sea. The result, however, is spectacular. It’s the first W in Western Europe, and arguably the most stunning of them all. It’s big, with nearly 500 rooms, and features all the signature W services like the Bliss Spa, SWEAT gym, and Whatever/Whenever concierge service, as well as a couple of added standout elements: Unparalleled views of the city, a dazzling pool deck with direct beach access, the top floor Eclipse bar (managed by London’s Ignite group), and the Bravo24 restaurant by local gourmet star Carles Abellán. Hotel Arts finally has a worthy contender.