Hotly anticipated, and set to open for business from October 1st 2009 is the W Hotel Group's latest luxury project.

W Barcelona, (the first hotel in Spain for the group) designed by architect Ricardo Bofill will incorporate the local Catalan culture into the Starwood offshoot's typically modern, boutique-aping mission statement.

W Barcelona is a large structure for a boutique-styled hotel, featuring 473 rooms in all - each one kitted out with the pre-requisite contemporary technology. Other amenities will include a spa, full business facilities, fitness centre, a rooftop "Wet Deck" with a heated infinity pool, and a number of restaurants and bars. The latter category boasts the tapas-centric Living Room, serving Catalan specialities (with a luxe twist we assume) a pool deck, and the view-providing Sky Bar.

Set against the sea, on Barcelona's beachfront, beautiful views will be a given and the city's famed central artery, La Rambla is also a short enough walk away, as are the Gothic Quarter, and range of museums.

Heading to Barcelona soon? We recommend you check this out by checking in.