By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Subscribe now and get up to 61% off the cover price. Includes access to the digital magazine.
Plus, get the exclusive Robb Report tote bag FREE.
Give the Gift of Luxury
Subscribe to RR1 Live+ for exclusive virtual events all year long (at least 1 per month), conversations with Robb Report editors, special perks, and more.
The new El Palace, on Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, started life 104 years ago as the Ritz Barcelona, making it one of the earliest Ritz properties in the world and the oldest five-star hotel in the historic capital of Spanish Catalonia. Come for the history, sure, but stay for—and in—the Ronnie Wood Suite: The legendary Rolling Stones guitarist once called the sixth floor here home and helped design the elegantly appointed 1,600-square-foot space, which comes with a restored Wurlitzer 1900 jukebox stocked with his favorite albums, plus exclusive access to the nearby Hispano Suiza luxury-automotive museum and factory.
Then head downstairs, through the soaring mirrored lobby to the former ballroom, where renowned chef Rafa Zafra has opened his decadent new restaurant, Amar Barcelona, as a celebration of the city, the Mediterranean, and all things seafood.
With its navy walls, gold detailing, and grand chandeliers, the space retains its former opulence and now has the menu to match. From crayfish carpaccio to tiger oysters to classic sole meunière, the dishes are all bracingly fresh and exploding with flavor—precisely what one expects from a former head chef at El Bulli, Ferran Adrià’s onetime gastronomic temple and long considered the greatest restaurant on the planet. Which also means it should come as no surprise that even simple plates are packed with small moments of wow: The butter in an otherwise straightforward offering of brioche toast topped with caviar, for example, is made in-house.
Others have also taken note: Amar Barcelona has already attracted high-profile diners including Bruce Springsteen, Barack and Michelle Obama, and Steven Spielberg. And probably Ronnie Wood, though we can’t confirm.
Sep. 28–Oct. 1: Indulge in incredible meals, expertly paired wines, and a luxury getaway in Jackson Hole this fall.
Give the Gift of Luxury