Hotel W Barceloneta and Sant Sebastian Beach

Locally, Hotel W is known as the vela (sail) and because of its shape produces some gusty winds on the south side. Behind the hotel on the south side is a walk along the sea wall of Barcelona port. The front (north side) has beach bars and leads onto Sant Sebastian Beach.

The building was designed by Ricardo Bofill and stands on 7 hectares of land that was reclaimed from the sea and forms part of the new harbor sea wall for Barcelona port. Construction was completed in 2009.

There is some controversy surrounding its construction because it breaches Spanish law that states that no new buildings such as hotels can be constructed on the within 100m of the coastal areas of Spain.

Additionally, The land is owned by the Port Authority of Barcelona, a public entity which should have made the bids public but the award method has not been made public.

Sant Sebastian beach in front of the hotel is or at least was a popular nudist beach but with the new hotel and the gentrification of this part of Barceloneta, nudism is not really desired on this beach anymore. The local surfers also complain that the sail hotel has changed wind patterns.

It is a private five star hotel so I have not gone in and wandered around the building! What I do know is that in summer the hotel hosts terrace/pool parties. The drinks prices at these parties reflect it's exclusive location. Entry is by adding your name to a guest list.

Nearest Metro is Barceloneta on the yellow line (L4).