ME Barcelona — Hotel in Barcelona

I'll preface this by saying that my wife and I just had our wedding in Barcelona last Monday (during the countrywide blackout, of all days) and stayed at the ME Barcelona from Saturday to Tuesday, so this review is with everything in mind.

With that said, this was absolutely one of my favorite hotel experiences in the world. We had one night in the studio ME+ suite, and then two more nights in the ME+ suite with a terrace and jacuzzi, and the rooms were everything we dreamed of: spacious, roomy, and amenity-laden. The suites are suitable for a romantic getaway (given our wedding, we truly needed the comforts of our room) and even a family vacation (we absolutely will bring our baby with us here next time).

The terrace in particular is worth every penny. The space is incredible, with outdoor couches, lounge chairs, and a glorious jacuzzi. We actually had a small pre-wedding gathering on the terrace for about 20 guests, and with the option to order drinks from the bar downstairs, booking this room was absolutely the right decision.

The hotel amenities are fantastic as well, as we had a complimentary couples massage and breakfast (great selection). The bar and lounge downstairs are fantastic for informal get-togethers, so definitely take advantage of that. The hotel even offers express cleaning and ironing (we needed to send some dresses, shirts, and tuxedos last second to be cleaned), and they were brought back hours later impeccably cleaned.

The hospitality, of course, shines the most. From the doorman to the concierge to the bellhop to even the handymen, every staff member treated us like royalty. For our gathering on the terrace, a staff member even told me not to wait for my guests in the lobby, as they would simply escort each one up to our room. We also rented a conference room downstairs for our pre-wedding tea ceremony, and the staff was very accommodating and even willing to negotiate the prices.

And all of this despite a countrywide blackout! The hotel apparently still ran on a generator (not just backup power like most other hotels that our guests stayed in), so we were able to still have power and Wifi throughout the day. Through all the chaos, the hotel staff made sure all its guests were comfortable and attended to.

Undoubtedly this long-winded review is a testament to ME Barcelona's outstanding hospitality, service, and attention to detail. We will undoubtedly be back when we return to Barcelona next time, and want to thank everyone for a memorable stay during our...

We recently stayed at the ME Barcelona for a week, and while there were many positives, I cannot give it the full 5 stars.

First, the positives: the rooms and the staff deserve 5 stars. The rooms are very comfortable, stylish, and well maintained. Every member of staff we encountered was extremely friendly, warm, and caring, which made our stay pleasant.

However, when a hotel charges up to 400€ per night for a standard room, expectations are naturally high, and in some areas those expectations simply weren’t met — particularly in the Food & Beverage department.

The rooftop bar, for example, had no table service. Despite being quiet and with three staff behind the bar, nobody approached us to take our order. We waited 30 minutes before finally going up ourselves, which is far from 5-star standard. When the snacks did arrive, the nuts served even tasted rancid.

Breakfast also fell short of a true luxury experience. As an executive chef working in a 5-star hotel myself, I was surprised at the lack of attention to detail:

No à la carte menus available on the tables.

Service staff, while friendly, lacked professionalism — we were asked for our room number every morning for seven days straight instead of being personally recognized after the first few days.

On being seated, we were immediately asked what kind of eggs we wanted, without even having a chance to sit down. Again, kind but rushed and not polished.

Staff attire lacked consistency: some wore white shirts, others black, and none had name tags. Even in the open kitchen, staff were not in uniform, which gave the impression of a student café rather than a 5-star establishment.

The breakfast buffet itself was disappointing for a hotel of this category: no live cooking stations, no juice bar, yoghurts served in plastic cups, and a very limited bread selection (two white breads and toast, but no sourdough, no bread rolls, etc.). No pancakes, no allergy-friendly section, and no smoothies. At best, I’d rate it a solid 4-star breakfast, but certainly not 5-star.

On a smaller note, but one worth mentioning: there are no toilet brushes in any of the bathrooms throughout the hotel. Regardless of how much one pays for a room, guests should at least be able to clean up after themselves.

To end on a positive note: the location is amazing, and again, the staff are exceptionally friendly and caring. But overall, the service and F&B standards fall short of what one expects at this price point...

We’ve just returned from an absolutely perfect stay at ME Barcelona. From the moment we arrived, we were met with warmth, kindness, and professionalism.

A special thank you to Eric and Jesús, who welcomed us so kindly and helped us get settled during check-in. Throughout our stay, they not only brought incredible energy, cheerfulness, and genuine warmth, but also looked after us with such care and attention. Both Eric and Jesús’ presence was constant, comforting, and full of joy. They were always patient and welcoming; we truly felt cared for throughout our stay.

Pau, the concierge, was absolutely outstanding. Every single restaurant he recommended was spot on; each one delicious, local, and memorable. He clearly knows his city inside out and gave us invaluable suggestions for both dining and sightseeing. As visitors new to Barcelona, his guidance was incredibly helpful and added so much to our trip. Christian was also lovely and helpful with local tips, and we appreciated his support as well.

And then there was Emma, who went out of her way to make our stay extra sweet (quite literally) She left us a beautiful and delicious box of chocolates that I absolutely loved; the decorative tin alone is beautiful.

The location of the hotel is fantastic, very central and easy to get around from. The pool and common areas are lovely, you can even spot the stunning Sagrada Familia not too far away (which highlights the hotel’s fantastic location!). The only small area for improvement I’d mention is the breakfast options, which could use a bit of an upgrade for a five-star experience. But honestly, everything else more than made up for it.

In the end, what truly made our stay unforgettable was the team. We’re already saying that when we come back to Barcelona, it will be because of the incredible people at ME Barcelona; especially Eric, Pau, Emma, and Jesús. They made our stay so special, and we’re so grateful.

Thank you, ME Barcelona....