Hotels often have the biggest pools, and sometimes an indoor pool in the spa as well. In Barcelona, most of the places selected are in the Eixample, near Passeig de Gràcia, or facing the sea in Barceloneta. Here are the 13 hotels I've selected in Barcelona, all rated at least 8/10; I particularly recommend ME Barcelona, Hotel 1898 and Torre Melina, a Gran Meliá Hotel.
Each city has its own selection, with a page for each type of accommodation.
Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.
13 places shown
The pool. Heated open-air rooftop pool on the 8th floor. The Meliá group says it lets you swim when the air turns cool, without guaranteeing it's open every day of the year.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Get the rooftop pool's opening confirmed for your dates before you book, especially in winter.
The pool. Indoor pool beneath brick vaults in the spa, plus an outdoor pool. Kayak advertises a heated pool without saying which; the Salir guide mentions a climate-controlled covered pool.
One guest says she chose the hotel for its indoor pool and spa. The review summary does, however, note that some guests were disappointed by changes to the spa and pool area. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Get the pool access conditions confirmed before you book: Kayak recommends checking for any restrictions.
The pool. Three pools in the hotel's private gardens beside a lake: two outdoor and one indoor. The spa adds a water area and a sauna. Whether the indoor pool is heated isn't specified.
The review summary says several guests enjoyed the pool area. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The hotel has been rebranded (formerly the Fairmont): look for it under the name "Torre Melina" and ask whether the indoor pool is heated.
The pool. Heated indoor pool, built in 2018 along with the new spa, plus a seasonal outdoor pool (the Wet Deck). Pools open from 9 am to 7 pm.
The hot tub. Large jacuzzi next to the indoor pool; one suite (Onada) also has a hot tub on its terrace.
The Travelguys blogger, who visited in person, describes a heated indoor pool at a thoroughly pleasant temperature, with a good-sized jacuzzi. Guests love the outdoor pool area, but one warns that the music there is loud, especially on Sunday evenings.
Guide's tip. For a peaceful swim, go for the spa's indoor pool: the outdoor Wet Deck is a party zone.
The pool. Two pools: a rooftop pool on the 7th floor (Urban Beach Club), seasonal from April to October according to Travelocity, and a heated hydromassage pool in the spa, with sauna and steam bath. Hotel guests get 30 minutes a day on the water circuit, to be booked.
A blogger who stayed here describes the spa pool as a heated pool and calls it the highlight of her stay. Guests rave about the rooftop pool. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Book your slot on the spa's water circuit at reception as soon as you arrive; the spa is closed to under-18s.
The pool. Two pools: a heated indoor pool in the Despacio spa, billed as an “experience pool”, and a seasonal 10 m rooftop pool (open from 25 March to 14 November according to the listing). Open from 11 am to 9 pm.
The hot tub. Hot tub among the spa facilities; one suite (Sagrada Familia) has a jacuzzi on its terrace.
Guests talk mostly about the rooftop pool and its city views; one guest found the spa pool small but stylish. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Out of season, only the spa's indoor pool is available: book your spa slot as soon as you arrive.
The pool. Indoor pool, with a basement spa that has a sauna (massages and body treatments).
Guests mainly praise the staff's welcome. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The listing doesn't say whether the pool is heated: ask the hotel before a winter stay.
The pool. Covered pool in the spa and a rooftop pool (Skyline Terrace, with bar). Heating isn't specified for either pool.
Reviews of the pool are poor: Kayak's summary rates it 1.5/10, and guests find it small and crowded. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Book the spa in advance: some guests didn't realise it was compulsory.
The pool. Indoor pool open from 9 am to 9 pm. The Salir guide describes it as a climate-controlled indoor pool with waterfalls, in the Mare Nostrum spa. The spa also has a hammam, a sauna and a steam bath.
One guest enjoyed the pool and the view from the roof. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The spa is off-limits to under-16s: if you're with family, check the times children can use the pool.
The pool. One indoor pool and one outdoor pool; one of the two closes every year from 1 November to 28 February. Full spa with 8 treatment rooms, open daily.
One guest calls the spa exceptional. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the pool or the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The spa is off-limits to under-18s: worth knowing if you're travelling as a family.
The pool. Heated indoor pool and sauna, according to the hotel's description on Kayak. No outdoor pool.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the pool or the water temperature.
Guide's tip. A business-park hotel, handy for an early flight or a trade fair: to see Barcelona, you'll need public transport.
The pool. L-shaped indoor-outdoor pool, reached from the garden terrace, with a poolside bar. Spa with sauna, hammam and steam bath. Heating isn't specified.
One guest mentions the large terrace and the two pools, indoor and outdoor. Fodor's mentions the indoor-outdoor pool. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The hotel is up in the hills, a long way from the centre: plan on a taxi or a car.
The pool. Shallow indoor pool with hydromassage jets (according to Salir) and a rooftop pool. Heating isn't specified.
Guests talk mostly about the rooftop pool and bar: Kayak's review summary gives the pool 9.5/10. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The hotel isn't in Barcelona itself but in L'Hospitalet: handy for a trade fair, less so for sightseeing on foot.
These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.
The hot tub. Outdoor infinity pool, not heated according to one guest (2019). Jacuzzi on the roof terrace; spa with sauna and Turkish steam bath.
One guest was disappointed in February that the pool wasn't heated. I haven't found any reviews about the jacuzzi temperature.
Guide's tip. Outside summer, count on the jacuzzi and spa rather than the outdoor pool.
The hot tub. Seasonal outdoor pool (closed 1 October to 16 April, open 10 am to 7 pm), heating not specified. Spa Oasis by Natura Bissé with hot tub, sauna, steam bath and hammam.
One guest likes the pool and its bar; another praises the spa. I haven't found any reviews about the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Out of season, only the spa stays open: there's a charge, and it's closed to under-18s.
These places were suggested to us directly by their owners. The heated pool is declared by them; they don't yet have enough guest reviews to join the selection.
In my selection, the top-rated is ME Barcelona (Hotel), with 4.5/5 (832 reviews · Google (relayé par Meliá)). Next come Hotel 1898 (8.9/10) and Torre Melina, a Gran Meliá Hotel (8.9/10).
Yes at W Barcelona and The One Barcelona GL: the pool is advertised as heated all year round. Hotel 1898, Torre Melina, a Gran Meliá Hotel and Alma Barcelona GL have an indoor pool, sheltered from the wind. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
None of the places selected in Barcelona gives a precise temperature. Ask the property before booking, especially out of season.
Yes: W Barcelona and The One Barcelona GL also have a hot tub in addition to the heated pool. No confirmed heated pool, but a hot tub: Hotel Arts Barcelona and Grand Hyatt Barcelona.
The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.
Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.
A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.
The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.
Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.
I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.
| Place | What the sources say | Rating | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón | Rooftop pool open all year round, but the hotel states it is not heated. | 8,2/10 | Pool not heated, according to the hotel |
| Nobu Hotel Barcelona | Small outdoor rooftop pool, open from May to October. | 9,0/10 | Seasonal outdoor pool, heating not confirmed |
| Sofitel Barcelona Skipper (ex-Pullman) | Outdoor pool and small rooftop pool; according to the review summary, some guests find the water cold. | 9,0/10 | Guests report cold water |
| Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona | Seasonal outdoor pool and children's pool, no spa. | 8,8/10 | Seasonal outdoor pool, heating not confirmed |
Sources: Expedia, Expedia, Site officiel NH, Travelocity, Kayak, Travelocity.
