The best thing since sliced bread. Seriously!

Let me put it to you this way... it is the ONLY hotel that overlooks all of Barcelona. It is romantic and classy, yet modern- has breathtaking views, and they have thought of everything so that you don't have to.

Sure it is a trek from city center, costing roughly €14 for a one way trip... however, if you have the money to spend, and you are looking for something that will take your breath away, then I assure you, La Florida IS the place to be.

The hotel itself is beyond amazing. It is 5 stars- and yet it doesn't have that big, overwhelming feel of a five-star hotel. Second, it is unbelievably classy in every sense of the word. Whoever came up with this design - the concept of having a hotel such as this on the top of a mountain overlooking all of Barcelona, and whoever decorated the place, definitely deserve an award.

The architecture is top-knotch. Make sure that you reserve a room with a sea view because then you can see all of Barcelona. Also try to get a room with a terrace. Believe me, you WON'T be disappointed. While everyone else is riding the blue tram to get to this height and experience this view for a few hours- you will have it all day and all night long.

The indoor/outdoor pool is the kind that kids dream of... you can start off inside, in a HUGE relaxing granite sanctuary and then swim under a glass wall and boom, you are outside! The other great thing is this pool is heated so you can use it in the summer or the winter. And the best thing? It is open until midnight. Some of the best moments I had at this hotel were when I went swimming at 11pm in the freezing cold. I swam outside under the stars and looked over the edge of the pool to see the lights of Barcelona below while the steam rose up and reminded me that it was only 42° outside!

Even if you do get cold (which you will if you stay in the outdoor area long enough), there is a very, very warm hot tub waiting for you indoors on the other side of the pool.
In the summer there is also an indoor/outdoor pool bar that sells refreshments and sunscreens.
Aside from the pool, you also have a state-of-the-art gym with a television and lots of cardio machines... also saunas, and a spa where you can have body treatments, facials, nails and hair done.

The outdoor pool area also has an enormous sun deck, so you shouldn't have a problem finding a lounge chair for sunbathng.

The restaurant, L'Orangerie is also to die for-- just make sure you make reservations as soon as possible (I would recommend when you make the reservation to the hotel). Of course, they do eat later here in Spain so if you are looking for an 8:00 dinner- you might be the only ones eating- so it shouldn't be a problem.

Another added amenity, that we didn't even know about until we arrived, is that the Tibidabo amusement park is right next door to the hotel. Don't worry, this isn't a Six Flags or a Disney World enormous amusement park... rather a classy and discreet park that was built on the side of Tibidabo mountain back in the early 1900's. Most of the rides are gentle and not scary at all. They are (what avid amusement park goers would say), rides for "beginners". It is a great place for young kids... or really for anyone just looking to experience some relaxed fun on "fair-type" rides.
However, I will say that because this park was built on the side of a mountain, there is an added feel of excitement on some of the rides... after all, you feel like you are at the height of an airplane when you can't see the ground beneath you!

Make sure that you pay the actual entrance fee (€22)-- don't just buy the tickets (€11)... the tickets only allow you to use the rides right at the entrance, on the first level, so you will be missing more than 3/4 of the park (the park works its way DOWN the mountain on 6 different levels).

In the end, Gran Hotel La Florida is the perfect escape. To be honest, I wouldn't recommend the hotel for anyone who is only in Barcelona for a couple of days and who want to see as much as they can... but if you are there for 5 or more days, I would suggest staying in city center for the first three days (Omm or Hotel Majestic) and getting your sight-seeing out of the way (the tour buses are a great way to get a quick overview)... then move to La Florida to get in your relaxation.

In the end, it will probably be the best part of your trip!