ABaC

Rooms

The best thing about ABaC's rooms is their high quality and thoughtful detail - in particular, the amazing sound-proofing, black-out blinds and Treca de Paris matresses, which ensure a blissful night's sleep. The second-best thing is that all rooms have the same amenities; the only difference is space and the addition of a terrace to some rooms.

So the smallest Comfort still has a hydro-massage tub (with coloured lights, so the water goes from blue to green to red!), a walk-in rain shower, an abundance of Hermès toiletries, super-thick towelling robes, a Nespresso machine, and a massive Bang & Olufsen TV (perhaps too big). We slept in this room: bathing was a joy, sleeping was a delight, and we happily lounged.

Our favourite room was the Comfort Terrace. Inside, it's much like a Comfort, though slightly bigger. But outside it has a beautiful terrace with teak flooring, a bed of lavender and 2 loungers for sun soaking.

Deluxe rooms have more indoor floor space and views of the garden. Suites have a separate living area with a big sofa (smaller rooms have armchairs or chaise longues). Gadget lovers will enjoy the remote-controlled lighting and blinds in all rooms. Minibars are equally high-class, with Grey Goose vodka, Billecart Champagne and unusual fruit juices.

If you're here for a special occasion, it's definitely worth splurging on the Penthouse. The bathroom is huge and square, with a double vanity in the centre, and you get loads of room in the bedroom/living area. Outside, the balcony has a table and chairs for private dining plus loungers and an outdoor Jacuzzi.

Décor throughout is crisp, clean and tasteful: bright white linens, exotic wood flooring, taupe sofas, and colour from rose-pink velvet cushions, art and pink orchids. Nothing is overdone, nothing is garish. These are spaces made for unwinding.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

With 3 Michelin stars, ABaC's food speaks for itself. The restaurant is headed up by Jordi Cruz, who was Spain's youngest chef to receive a Michelin star (he was 25 at the time).

The sophisticated dining room is elegant but not forbiddingly formal, with white, precisely ironed tablecloths, beautiful arc lamps and floor-to-ceiling windows. Tables are well spaced and the atmosphere is calm. In summer, you can eat out on the terrace.

As you'd expect, flavours and combinations are gloriously inventive, and presentation is immaculate. The extensive tasting menu has over a dozen courses - imagine gazpachuelo of chives ceviche style, with lobster and mussels, or a "Chinese box" with brioche, eel, wasabi and lemon grass alioli. Seafood is a highlight (perhaps hake with pil pil sauce and romanesco, with garlic, parsley and tiger cockles), as are the unusual meat dishes (veal marinated in koji and sake with black sesame bread). There are alternative dishes for plant-based, lactose-free and gluten-free diets too - just let them know in advance.

As for puddings, they couldn't sound more delicious: pickled lemon with yoghurt snow, flower nectar and violet ice cream, or caramelised honey brioche with Mato, toffee, roasted pine nuts and Idiazabal cheese. The accompanying wine list has over 1,000 choices. If you're feeling anti-social, order room service, which has the likes of roast guinea fowl, caviar and oysters.

Before or after dinner, go for a cocktail in the uber-cool ABaC Lounge. It's a discreet subterranean space, with clusters of Chesterfield sofas and armchairs, delineated by coloured lights.

Breakfast is a treat, too. You're given fruit salad with mint ice cream (so decadent to start the day with ice cream!), a basket of buttery pastries, a bocadillo of flavoursome Iberian ham and cheese, and then asked about your cooked preference. We went for scrambled eggs, and they were exceptional, served with chives and traditional pan con tomate.

There are other good restaurants close by too, including Casa Pepe for tapas; reception can advise.

Features include:

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Unwind in the Elemis spa, with its thermal circuit, hammam and wonderful-sounding treatments, such as the exotic lime and ginger salt glow with a deep-tissue back massage
  
• Barcelona's Botanical Gardens back onto the hotel, and Gaudí's Park Güell is close: a municipal garden with beautiful structures designed by the famous architect, including his famous salamander, his house, and various mosaics
  
• Take the Tram Blau (a 19th-century wooden tram) up the hill of Tibidabo for wonderful views over Barcelona, especially at sunset
  
• The cultural highlights of the city never fail to thrill, even if you've seen them before. We love the Sagrada Familia, the cathedral and the Barri Gòtic. Reception can arrange bike hire if you want to cycle around
  
• If you're into art, the Picasso and Miró museums are excellent, as is the Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA), which specialises in Spanish and Catalan art
  
• Head to the beach for the day; temperatures are lovely for most of the year. Or play golf; there are courses close by

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Golf
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Plantlife / flora
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming

Kids

Children are welcome but the hotel doesn't have any extra beds, so you'd need to get an extra room for children older than 3. Little ones aged 0-3 stay for free in their parents' room, and the hotel can provide a baby cot.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Toddlers (1-4 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Ask about connecting rooms; there are a couple (referred to by the hotel as Grand Suite and ABaC Suite). Bear in mind all beds are doubles.

Cots Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

ABaC is set a few km outside the city centre, on Avinguda Tibidabo. It's 15km from the airport and a 15-minute drive from the city centre.

By Air:
Barcelona El Prat (15km) is served by many international and budget carriers. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
The hotel can provide transfers - (see Rates) - or you can take a taxi from Barcelona and Girona airports. Alternatively, you could hire a car or it's easy to take public transport here: take the airport bus to Plaça de Catalunya, then head to the metro and take line 7 to just opposite the hotel (Avda. Tibidabo).

By Train:
For a more eco-friendly trip, take the mid-afternoon Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then transfer to the overnight sleeper to Barcelona.

By Car:
We wouldn't recommend hiring a car here as you really don't need to, but if you want one to explore see our car rental recommendations. The hotel has a big car park - extra cost.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Barcelona and getting around