Time Out for Tapas: A Weekend in Barcelona

The Melia Barcelona Sky has a good location for a bit of everything with a ten minute walk from the beach, a five minute walk from the nearest subway station, and a very short taxi ride to the city center.

The modern exterior towers over us as we arrive, shooting 29 floors into the Barcelona skyline. Throughout the hotel from the lobby to the rooms you will find art work that showcases the old and new of the city, which gives a nice sense of your surroundings. A stylish and contemporary hotel, The Melia Sky features an added exclusive service called 'The Level'. With its own separate concierge as well as lounge, The Level rooms have that added attention to detail and features. It's definitely worth upgrading your stay for added comfort.

Room interiors are white and clean with splashes of color.

We arrived early October which is the end of the high season so the pool area was not quite as buzzing as it usually is. In the summer months there is a bar area that is open, making lounging by the pool a bit more inviting.

On the 24th floor the hotel boasts an incredible terrace area that adjoins it’s Michelin star restaurant, Dos Cielos. The restaurant is nicely intimate with just a few tables that surround its innovative open kitchen and overlooking incredible views of the mountains and the city.

Dos Cielos Restaurant Kitchen

For first-time Barcelona visitors the staff are incredibly helpful with suggestions of what to see and how to explore the city. We found ourselves in the city center happily getting lost among the winding streets that lead to beautiful structures and buzzing tapas restaurants. A visit to La Sagrada Familia designed by Antonio Gaudí takes our breath away. While the church is almost continually under construction and repair you can still appreciate the immense exteriors and the intricate detail surrounding it.

WHERE TO DINE:



For Tapas: The city is filled with cool tapas bars and restaurants that you’ll be hard pressed to find any that disappoint but this one surpassed the rest; Cervecería Catalana. Be prepared to wait though (although you might be lucky) as the restaurant does not take reservations. Simply turn up, add your name to the list and cross your fingers. We were in a large group and turned up late afternoon in true Spanish style. We waited for around half an hour as luckily a group prior to us had foolishly given up the wait but all the better for us to enjoy mouth watering dish after dish even sooner than anticipated...although we did lose two within our own group whose hunger overtook their sensibilities.



For Paella: Situated on the beach serving up the best Paella I have ever tasted is Restaurante Salamanca. Casual and laid back, Salamanca is infamous for its seafood. The huge outside terrace at the back looks out to the sea and was crowded but atmospheric. The waiters went above and beyond in terms of service with a smile, incredibly warm and helpful. If we head back to Barcelona...which we most definitely will... Salamanca will be one of the first food stops on my list.

GETTING THERE:

Once arriving in Barcelona airport if you are staying centrally in the city it is easy enough to get the train/subway system to the city center. It is reliable, clean and quite easy to work out. However, if like us, you want the quick and simple transport option, a taxi to our hotel took around 20 minutes and cost just under 30Euros.

Visit website: https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/spain/barcelona/melia-barcelona-sky/index.html