See Barcelona's sights in style from the hotel's terrace

I had a good feeling about Gran Hotel La Florida from the moment I flagged a taxi at Barcelona Airport. After I handed the driver a card with the hotel’s address he actually raised it to his lips and kissed it. And while my Spanish definitely has room for improvement, I was able to pick out his ultra-fast ramblings of “el mejor [best] hotel de Barcelona”, “un mirador [viewpoint]” and “fanastico” along the way.

As we made the final approach to the hotel after an approximately-20-minute journey, I couldn’t think of a reason to dispute any of his opinions. Sitting majestically at one of the highest points of Barcelona (500 metres above it, to be precise), the sun-bathed Mediterranean exterior exudes such a justifiably self-assured grandeur that it almost seems to suggest that it owns the city beneath it.

The hotel’s fascinating history explains much. An original creation of Noucentista architect Ramón Raventós, his brief was to create an emblematic building that would project the prestige of Barcelona, in the most outstanding location of the city. Some years after its opening in 1925, the exterior of the building was declared to be of historical interest, and ordered to be kept intact – the imposing façade we see today is the original, still standing exactly as Raventós intended.

In 1939, the hotel was used as a military hospital during the Spanish Civil War. After a first restoration in the 40s, the Hotel La Florida subsequently became the location of choice of the Catalan bourgeoisie. It subsequently welcomed well-known figures including Ernest Hemingway, James Stewart, Rock Hudson, Princess Fabiola and the Prince of Belgium and in 2001 the hotel had a thorough restoration which introduced the Zen Zone Spa. Today the hotel has 70 rooms, including exclusive designer suites with Jacuzzis, private gardens and terraces.

This sense of history can be felt immediately on entering the hotel through the exquisite décor which combines the traditional and the new – the Noucentista and the avant-garde – at every turn. Photos of the hotel from the 1920s and 1930s are juxtaposed with bold and dazzling contemporary art from the likes of award-winning designer duo Dale and Patricia Keller and British artists Ben Jakober and Yannick Vu. It was Jakober and Vu’s dazzling 27-metre-high fibre-optic work entitled Homage to Gaudi which was the first artwork to greet me as I entered the hotel, just before I was rapidly intercepted by incredibly warm and welcoming hotel staff who presented with a glass of Cava.

As I was shown to my room, the window beckoned immediately – my balcony presented a breathtaking view of Barcelona, the surrounding area and the Mediterranean sea. This would be just the first of many spectacular views I’d have from every angle at different sites in and around the hotel.

Elsewhere in my generously sized and impeccably decorated room was a large wall-mounted plasma TV with full access to international TV channels, internet, music and games. The hotel’s bathroom was generously stocked with L’Occitane en Provence miniatures, alongside luxury robes, towels and slippers (although my slippers were often forsaken so I could take advantage of the heated floor…).

Another room with a view. (And a private Jacuzzi.)

It would be easy to while away hours in the hotel’s luxurious rooms but for relaxation elsewhere it’s only a short amble to the hotel spa, which offers 500m² of luxury facilities including a Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, more exotic showers, gym, hydromassage baths, ice fountain, relaxation zone and the hotel’s renowned 37m heated interior/exterior pool made from stainless steel and surrounded by specially designed interactive visuals projected along the walls.

The outdoor infinity edge pool allowed me to swim (or merely float) while taking in the ultimate view of Barcelona. Different from that of my room (more Easterly-orientated) this was the Holy Grail – the total panorama. It was unsurprising therefore to find loungers and bar/restaurant tables here, staggered over various tiered terraces. On sultry summer evenings there would be little reason to leave this patch at all…

If you do want to take sanctuary on the inside, the salon is there for all your beauty and relaxation needs, offering an extensive range of facial and body treatments, including massages, honey body scrubs, reflexology, Dead Sea mud baths, Thai four-handed massages, volcanic stone therapy, Swiss chocolate treatments and more.

If, between all of these potential activities, you find the time to eat, then the hotel’s own L’Orangerie restaurant offers a wide range of Mediterranean dishes featuring fresh, seasonal products on a regularly refreshed menu. Both its indoor and outdoor tables allow you to eat while taking in the magnificent view of the city.

You could genuinely forget to leave the hotel and visit Barcelona. The hotel does, however, make your trip to the centre as easy as possible by offering a free shuttle bus which runs several times a day. If you can’t get onto the bus (there are only six places per ride, which must be booked ahead), all is not lost as you can take the local bus, funicular and metro to get the to Placa de Catalunya in about 40 minutes. The journey is even shorter to northern attractions such as the Parc Guell.

If you don’t want to go all the way into town or fancy a change, there is at least one day’s worth of entertainment to be had from the Tibidabo theme park which is just around the corner, although not close enough to disturb you while you’re at the hotel. However, since it would be a shame to not visit Barcelona proper at least once try to summon the resolve to leave your five-star surroundings at least for a short while. We’ve included some local tips below to see you on your way…

For reservations and information, see the Gran Hotel La Florida website.

Top Barcelona tips:

Café/Bar: La Teteria Clandestina – a supremely chilled bohemian lounge where one can smoke both shisha and cigarettes surrounded both by local artists and local art. Viladecols 2 Bis

Restaurant: Qué bec? – a popular tapas restaurant that continues to draw a loyal local clientele rather than the tourists who monopolise Las Ramblas. The lunchtime menu is excellent value. Calle Dagueria 12

Objects of lust: Heritage –  surprisingly affordable vintage and antique clothing and accessories in a to-die-for décor. Calle des Banys nous 14