A historic 1925 landmark on Mount Tibidabo, Gran Hotel La Florida spent decades in decay before a $42 million restoration brought it back to life in 2003. Now rebranded as METT Barcelona, the 70-room property fuses century-old bones with modern luxury. This fact-checked review covers the hotel’s transformation, its panoramic perch 300 metres above Barcelona, and what recent guests actually say about the experience — drawing on verified sources including Five Star Alliance and the MICHELIN Guide.
Last checked: 2026-06-08
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Former name: Gran Hotel La Florida · Current brand: METT Barcelona GL · Location: Mount Tibidabo, Barcelona · Unique feature: Panoramic views of Barcelona, Mediterranean, Pyrenees
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-08.
Sources reviewed: official property website (METT Hotels), Five Star Alliance, MICHELIN Guide, Travel Weekly, Luxury Travel Advisor, TripAdvisor, HotelsByDay, Driftwood Journals, Luxury Link.
No on-site visit conducted; no staff interviews; no independent price verification performed.
Gran Hotel La Florida at a glance
- Originally opened in 1925 on Mount Tibidabo (Luxury Link)
- Reopened 29 April 2003 after a $42 million restoration (Five Star Alliance) (Luxury Link)
- Elevation: roughly 300 m above Barcelona (Five Star Alliance) (Travel Weekly)
- Panoramas of the city, Mediterranean Sea, and Pyrenees on clear days (Travel Weekly)
- 70 rooms across 6 floors (Travel Weekly) (Luxury Travel Advisor)
- METT Barcelona rebranding introduced natural-texture, sea-inspired decor (Luxury Travel Advisor)
- 37-metre heated stainless-steel indoor-outdoor pool (MICHELIN Guide)
- Spa includes whirlpool, sauna, steam bath, ice fountain (Five Star Alliance)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Former name | Gran Hotel La Florida |
| Current brand | METT Barcelona GL |
| Location | Mount Tibidabo, Barcelona |
| Unique feature | Panoramic views of Barcelona, Mediterranean, Pyrenees |
| Original opening year | 1925 (Luxury Link) |
| Reopening date | 29 April 2003 (Five Star Alliance) |
| Star rating | 5-star (Driftwood Journals) |
| Number of rooms | 70 |
| Number of floors | 6 (Travel Weekly) |
| Elevation | 300 m (985 ft) |
| Pool length | 37 metres (MICHELIN Guide) |
| Check-in / Check-out | 12:00 PM / 3:00 PM (Travel Weekly) |
| Spa brand (historical → current) | L’Occitane → Botanyc (Luxury Travel Advisor) |
Gran Hotel La Florida reviews
Guest feedback across platforms consistently centres on the property’s hilltop isolation and the quality of its panoramic outlook. Travel Weekly notes that reviewers “highlight the hotel’s hilltop position on Tibidabo as offering some of the best panoramas of Barcelona and the Mediterranean coastline.” The trade-off is distance from the city centre: a recurring theme in travel writing about the property is the contrast between resort-like tranquillity on Tibidabo and the relative distance from Barcelona’s main urban attractions and nightlife, according to Driftwood Journals.
What do guests say about the service?
One detailed review from Driftwood Journals describes the service as attentive but notes that the resort-style setting means staff are more focused on leisure guests than business travellers. Under the METT Barcelona branding, TripAdvisor reviews (medium confidence, fewer than three aggregated mentions in our source set) mention the comfortable beds and the heated pool, but no generalisation across multiple independent reviews can be made for service quality in the research notes available.
How is the location rated?
The location scores highly for views and tranquillity but lower for walkability to central Barcelona. A HotelsByDay listing shows the hotel earning a 4.4/5 rating based on more than 1,800 Google reviews, which correlates with generally strong guest satisfaction. The same listing frames the property as suitable for day-use stays, suggesting the location works well for guests prioritising relaxation over sightseeing proximity.
The trade-off: The 4.4 Google rating reflects satisfaction with the views and resort atmosphere, but the 300-metre elevation and reliance on the hotel shuttle or taxis means this property suits guests who value seclusion over urban convenience.
“The hotel’s hilltop position on Tibidabo [offers] some of the best panoramas of Barcelona and the Mediterranean coastline.”
— Travel Weekly
Gran Hotel La Florida menu
The research notes do not contain a specific menu from the property’s dining venues — neither a current menu under METT Barcelona nor a historic one from the Gran Hotel La Florida era. However, the hotel has historically been described as offering on-site fine-dining options. Five Star Alliance lists a “fine-dining restaurant on site” among the property’s facilities. Under the METT Barcelona branding, the MICHELIN Guide describes the overall concept as a “hybrid between a city boutique hotel and a luxury resort,” which implies that a dedicated restaurant remains part of the offering.
What dining options are available?
In addition to the fine-dining restaurant, the property’s poolside bar area is mentioned in the MICHELIN Guide’s description of the 37-metre stainless-steel pool and sun decks. A MICHELIN Guide listing notes that the pool “opens to outdoor sun decks and a poolside bar area, emphasising resort-style leisure.” This suggests at least two distinct dining or drinking venues: an indoor restaurant and a seasonal poolside bar.
What to keep in mind: Menu details (prices, dishes, cuisines) were not available from any verified source in our research set. Travellers should check the current METT Barcelona website or contact the hotel directly for up-to-date dining menus and seasonal operating hours.
Does the hotel have a restaurant?
Yes — multiple sources confirm at least one on-site fine-dining restaurant. Five Star Alliance explicitly lists a “fine-dining restaurant on site” among the property’s amenities, and the Driftwood Journals review references dining as part of the urban resort experience. However, the restaurant’s name, cuisine style, and pricing were not found in any of the tier-1 or tier-2 sources sampled.
“The property offers both indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, fine-dining restaurant on site, and access to nearby golf.”
— Five Star Alliance
Gran Hotel La Florida restaurants
Available sourcing confirms at least one dedicated restaurant and one poolside bar. Travel Weekly’s trade listing describes the property as having “on-site dining,” and the Driftwood Journals review specifically mentions the poolside bar area as a social focal point during warmer months. The shift to METT Barcelona appears to have maintained these offerings, though no source provides a restaurant name or menu.
Are there multiple dining venues?
The evidence supports at least two: an indoor restaurant (described as “fine-dining” by Five Star Alliance) and an outdoor poolside bar and sun-deck area referenced by the MICHELIN Guide. A third possible venue — a spa cafe or lounge — is not confirmed in any source. The absence of a named restaurant in the research notes means we cannot verify whether multiple indoor dining rooms exist.
What type of cuisine is served?
The research notes do not contain any specific cuisine description (Mediterranean, Catalan, international, or otherwise) from a verified source. The Driftwood Journals review alludes to Mediterranean cuisine in the context of the “urban resort” positioning, but this is an inferred claim, not a direct quote from a menu or chef interview. Caution is advisable: no menu data was retrievable from the eight unique domains we reviewed.
The catch: Without a verified menu or restaurant name in any of our sources, descriptions of cuisine at this hotel are based on general resort positioning rather than verifiable data. Travellers planning a gastronomic stay should confirm menu details directly with the hotel.
What this means: The hotel offers at least two dining outlets (indoor fine-dining and poolside bar), but specific cuisines and dish offerings remain unverified. The property’s luxury positioning strongly suggests Mediterranean and international options.
Where do celebs stay in Barcelona?
Gran Hotel La Florida has historically been associated with high-profile guests, largely due to its secluded hillside location and luxury positioning. Luxury Link notes that the 2003 restoration “aimed to surpass its original level of luxury,” creating an environment that would attract exclusive clientele. The property’s distance from the city centre and its private terraces and Jacuzzis in higher-category suites — mentioned by Luxury Link as “private Jacuzzis and large terraces oriented toward the sea and city views” — are features that appeal to guests seeking discretion.
Which luxury hotels do celebrities prefer?
While the Hotel Ritz Barcelona (referenced in the input alternatives comparison) is a classic celebrity magnet in the city centre, Gran Hotel La Florida offers a different proposition: privacy above the city. The Driftwood Journals review describes the property as a “five-star urban resort,” a classification that appeals to guests who want isolation without sacrificing luxury. No verifiable list of celebrity guests was found in any source, so specific names cannot be confirmed.
Is Gran Hotel La Florida a celebrity hotspot?
The evidence is suggestive but not conclusive. The property’s positioning as a luxury urban resort on a private hillside, combined with the $42 million restoration budget and the 37-metre heated pool, places it in the category of hotels that routinely attract high-net-worth travellers. However, none of the nine sources in our research set confirm a specific celebrity stay. The implication is credible — the hotel’s marketing emphasises exclusivity — but no verified data ties a named celebrity to this address.
The bottom line: Gran Hotel La Florida / METT Barcelona fits the profile of a celebrity-favoured hotel (secluded, luxurious, private), but no verified list of celebrity guests appears in available sources. It remains a plausible choice for high-profile travellers seeking discretion above Barcelona.
Gran Hotel La Florida: pros and cons
Pros
- Panoramic views of Barcelona and the Mediterranean — the property’s defining feature, corroborated by Five Star Alliance, Travel Weekly, and the MICHELIN Guide
- 37-metre heated stainless-steel indoor-outdoor pool, a rare feature among Barcelona hotels (MICHELIN Guide)
- Historic pedigree with a 1925 opening and a well-documented $42 million restoration in 2003 (Luxury Link)
- Full spa facilities including whirlpool, sauna, steam bath, ice fountain, and hydrotherapy cabins (Five Star Alliance)
- Resort-like tranquillity away from city noise (Driftwood Journals)
Cons
- Distance from central Barcelona — requires shuttle, taxi, or car; the hotel’s free minibus may not run late enough for evening nightlife (Driftwood Journals)
- Parking costs extra — approximately €21 per night according to one review (Driftwood Journals)
- Name confusion during the transition period: some directories still use “Gran Hotel La Florida” while others use “METT Barcelona” (HotelsByDay)
- Limited verifiable dining information — no current menu or restaurant name confirmed in any source
Price expectations
Gran Hotel La Florida / METT Barcelona is positioned as a 5-star luxury property. While no current nightly rates were verifiable from our source set, a mid-2010s review from Driftwood Journals mentions double rooms starting from approximately £159 per night, framed as competitive versus comparable five-star hotels in Barcelona’s city centre at that time.
Under the METT Barcelona rebranding (2024–2025), rates have likely increased to reflect the renovation investment. Parking at roughly €21 per night (Driftwood Journals, medium confidence) provides a benchmark for add-on costs. Without verified current pricing from the official website or a booking platform, travellers should check the METT Barcelona site or a major online travel agency for seasonal rates.
What to watch: No source in our research set provides current, verifiable nightly rates. The £159 historical figure is from approximately a decade ago and should not be treated as indicative of 2025 pricing. Always confirm directly with the hotel or a reputable booking platform.
Location and getting there
The property sits at Ctra. de Vallvidrera al Tibidabo, 83–93, 08035 Barcelona — on the slopes of Mount Tibidabo in the Sarrià–Sant Gervasi district, roughly 300 metres above sea level (Five Star Alliance). The address occasionally appears as C/ Vallvidrera 83–89 or 83–93 in trade listings, but both refer to the same Tibidabo access road property, according to Travel Weekly.
Transport options include:
- Hotel shuttle: A free minibus connects the hotel to central Barcelona, though its frequency and evening operating hours are not specified in any source (Driftwood Journals)
- Car: On-site parking available for approximately €21 per night (Driftwood Journals)
- Public transport: Guests not driving rely on the hotel shuttle and Barcelona’s bus and funicular network to reach the city centre (Driftwood Journals)
- Taxi / ride-share: A 15–20 minute drive to central Barcelona, depending on traffic
“For guests not driving, independent reviewers mention relying on the hotel’s free minibus shuttle and public transport to reach central Barcelona from Tibidabo.”
— Driftwood Journals
How Gran Hotel La Florida compares to other Barcelona hotels
| Hotel | Location | Star rating | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gran Hotel La Florida / METT Barcelona | Mount Tibidabo (hillside) | 5-star | Panoramic city + sea views; 37-m heated pool; secluded resort atmosphere |
| Hotel Ritz Barcelona | City centre (Eixample) | 5-star | Historic grand hotel; central location; classic luxury |
The comparison highlights a fundamental choice: hillside isolation with panoramic views versus central convenience with classic grandeur. Gran Hotel La Florida is better suited to travellers who prioritise tranquillity, scenic outlooks, and resort-style facilities over proximity to Barcelona’s urban attractions and nightlife. The Hotel Ritz Barcelona (a historic 5-star property on Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes) offers walkable access to the city’s cultural and dining scene.
Our pick
Best for: Luxury travellers, romantic couples, and architecture lovers who value panoramic views and resort-style amenities over city-centre convenience.
Why: Gran Hotel La Florida / METT Barcelona occupies a unique niche — a historic 1925 hillside hotel that has evolved into a hybrid city-boutique-meets-luxury-resort. The 37-metre heated pool, spa facilities with hydrotherapy options, and panoramic terraces create an experience that central Barcelona hotels cannot replicate. The trade-off is clear: you sacrifice walkability for seclusion and spectacle.
When to choose an alternative: If your priority is exploring Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, visiting the Sagrada Família, or having easy access to nightlife, a central hotel like the Hotel Ritz Barcelona would be more practical.
Related reading: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver: Complete Guide to a 5-Star Landmark · Katikies Hotel Santorini Review: Cliffside Luxury
Frequently asked questions
What is Gran Hotel La Florida?
Gran Hotel La Florida is a historic five-star hotel originally opened in 1925 on Mount Tibidabo overlooking Barcelona. After being closed for decades, it reopened in April 2003 following a $42 million restoration. As of 2024–2025, the property has been rebranded as METT Barcelona, blending its heritage with modern luxury design (Luxury Link; Five Star Alliance).
How many rooms does it have?
The hotel has 70 rooms across 6 floors (Travel Weekly). Standard rooms feature marble bathrooms with under-floor heating, separate bathtub and shower, minibar, TV, Wi-Fi, bathrobes, and slippers (Driftwood Journals).
What is the elevation of the hotel?
Gran Hotel La Florida sits roughly 300 metres (985 feet) above Barcelona on Mount Tibidabo, offering panoramic views over the city, the Mediterranean Sea, and on clear days, the Pyrenees mountains (Five Star Alliance).
Is Gran Hotel La Florida the same as METT Barcelona?
Yes — the property that was historically known as Gran Hotel La Florida has been rebranded as METT Barcelona in 2024–2025. The rebranding introduced new interior design featuring natural textures, soft lines, and a sea-inspired colour palette, and shifted spa amenities from L’Occitane to French brand Botanyc (Luxury Travel Advisor). Both names may appear in booking platforms during the transition period.
What is the star rating?
Gran Hotel La Florida / METT Barcelona is classified as a 5-star hotel, positioned as a five-star urban resort rather than a typical city-centre business hotel (Driftwood Journals).
Where is Gran Hotel La Florida located?
The address is Ctra. de Vallvidrera al Tibidabo, 83–93, 08035 Barcelona, Spain — on the slopes of Mount Tibidabo in the Sarrià–Sant Gervasi district, about 300 metres above the city (Five Star Alliance; Travel Weekly).
Sources cited
- Five Star Alliance — Gran Hotel La Florida listing (tier 2; reopening date, address, elevation, spa facilities, conference amenities)
- Luxury Link — Gran Hotel La Florida listing (tier 2; original 1925 opening, $42 million restoration cost)
- MICHELIN Guide — METT Barcelona listing (tier 2; 37-metre stainless-steel pool, rebranding period)
- Travel Weekly — Gran Hotel La Florida listing (tier 2; 6 floors, check-in/out times, views description, address verification)
- Luxury Travel Advisor — METT Barcelona rebranding report (tier 2; design changes, spa brand evolution from L’Occitane to Botanyc)
- Driftwood Journals — Detailed review (tier 3; parking cost ~€21/night, room amenities, shuttle service, urban resort positioning)
- HotelsByDay — Day-use listing (tier 3; 4.4/5 Google rating from ~1,800 reviews, amenity list)
- TripAdvisor — METT Barcelona guest reviews (tier 3; guest praise for beds, bathrooms, heated pool)