Hotel By The City & The Sea What: W Hotels aims to make its upcoming Spanish W opening its flagship property for Western Europe.

The Dirt:
Starwood Hotels is forging ahead with growth, recession or not, with big plans for one of Europe’s most cultural cities on the Mediterranean. Anyone that doubts Barcelona likely hasn’t been. Barcelona has an amazing soccer team, FC Barcelona, art from legends Gaudi, Picasso and Joan Miro, great dining, fabulous clubs, a beach on the Mediterranean, and a great subway system. If that’s not enough, it is within hours of France and many quaint coastal Spanish destinations, including Sitges, Benidorm, and Valencia. But why stay at the W Barcelona when it opens in October 2009, with so many other options?

A picture of the exterior of the W Barcelona, designed by native architect Ricardo Bofill, could be mistaken for a modern high-rise somewhere in the United Arab Emirates, thanks to the sleek sail-shaped design. Starwood claims the hotel located in Catalunya’s capital will be the only one with direct access to the beach, one where some local businessmen spend their siesta relaxing or sleeping, often in boxers and a tee.

Upon opening on October 1, the 26-story building will have availability in its 473 rooms, which includes 67 suites. The full-service hotel boasts a Bliss Spa, an infinity pool with cabanas, a fitness center, a rooftop bar, a restaurant and of course, the signature Whatever/Whenever service.

If you have any doubt that a trip to Barca might not be worth the time and money, consider these alluring offerings. An international scene courtesy of the university, Gaudi’s Parc Guell, a chance to see FC Barcelona live, and proximity to Sitges, a small city 30 minutes south by train, where fag hags sun topless on the beach, mamas shop at local boutiques, and nannies take in the Mediterranean, away from the noise of the big city.

Where:
To learn more about the W Barcelona , click here.