Ricardo Bofill’s glass sail has stood at the mouth of the harbour since 2009, on land reclaimed from the sea. Locals call it the Hotel Vela. With 473 rooms and 67 suites it is a big, busy hotel, but every room looks at water, and the rooftop bar is one of the few places in the city where you can watch your ship come in. For cruise passengers the location is the point: the terminals are a short taxi away, and Barceloneta beach starts at the front door. The trade-off is distance from the old city, which is a 25-minute walk along the seafront.
Address: Plaça de la Rosa dels Vents, 1, 08039 Barcelona
Neighbourhood: Barceloneta
Good for: Stay, Drinks
Perfect for: A night before embarkation without crossing the city