Mandarin Oriental Barcelona
BACKGROUND Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola has designed this stylish 120room hotel that was once the head o ice of a bank. The contemporary, elegant interiors have an unmistakeable seal of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.
WHERE IS IT Across the road from the gorgeous, Gaudi-designed Casa Batlló, the hotel is housed in a mid-20th-century building. Its convenient location, on Passeig de Gràcia, puts it within walking distance of most major tourist attractions in the city and only 20 minutes away from El Prat Airport.
ROOM FACILITIES The 120-room hotel boasts suites in several categories, culminating in a 236 sqm Penthouse Suite. All rooms have a view of either the Passeig de Gràcia or the hotel’s interior garden. The Terrace Suite is a luxurious 861 sqft one-bed suite with a living room as well as a terrace that can be used for al fresco dining or just a morning cup of co ee. Vibrant yet sophisticated interiors combine plush leather, velvet and silk with wood. Tai Ping silk and wool rugs share space with Bassano ceramics and statement pieces of furniture designed exclusively for the hotel. To sweeten the deal, all suites come with a 24-hour personalised butler service.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS Renowned chef Carme Ruscalleda, holder of seven Michelin stars, is the director of Mandarin Oriental Barcelona’s signature restaurant Moments, where the tasting menu of neo-Catalan cuisine is worth checking out. Ruscalleda – one of the most awarded female chefs in the world – also puts together the menu at Blanc, serving local specialties like canelons and gazpacho. Indulgent breakfasts here should definitely be on your radar too. There is also Mimosa, a lush terrace within the hotel’s courtyard and Terrat – a rooftop venue with panoramic views. The latter serves a selection of Peruvian dishes and cocktails till the wee hours. The pièce de résistance for me, however, is the Banker’s Bar, the design of which incorporates the original safes from the bank’s vault as part of the décor. Pair your tapas with delectable cocktails, including the classic Banker’s Martini. AMENITIES The 1,000 sqm spa, o ering the hotel group’s signature therapies, uses black and white contrasts combined with wood and accents of malachite green in its elegant décor. A 12-metre indoor lap pool, hammam and experience showers are also present. The hotel’s two private function rooms have a capacity of 50 guests, with a dedicated team ensuring utmost care in accommodating the host’s requirements.
VERDICT A convenient location, great butler service, comfortable rooms and adequate dining options – this hotel checks all the boxes.
Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola has deisgned this stylish 120-room hotel that was once the head o ce of a bank