Who's Going
Business Travellers, Fashion Execs, Advertising Directors
Reason to Stay
Hip Clienetel, Stylish Rooms, Gourmet Eatery, City Center
Hotel Type
Luxury Hotel
The location of Mandarin Oriental Barcelona couldn't be better just across the street from a Gaudi landmark and walking distance to city's main finance hubs. Arrival comes along an atrium ramp through a towering foyer lined in multi-story cutouts with panels of intricate gold-webbed screens and two dapper Spanish doormen in their 20s concealed under Mandarin collared jackets and Asian caps. A long and narrow lounge doubles as the lobby lined in low-flung loungers covered in sumptuous, creamy leather that wouldn't look out of place at Penelope Cruz's beach house.
Utilizing a slough of recognizable design names for furnishings and finishing touches, Urquiola's choices of B&B Italia, DePadova, Flos and Moroso create a modern day museum of design. Blanc, a cocoon-like casual dining room, is cast in geometric patterned walls inspired by Oriental screens inside a rectangular room stuffed with Tiffany blue sofas with fluffy pillows and white wingback chairs with exquisite nail head detailing. The hotel's signature restaurant, Moments, is located on the Mezzanine level in a glass-enclosed dining room under a gold leaf ceiling and floor of antique Spanish tiles and concrete. Late nights are spent over drinks in the adjacent Banker's Bar that aims to recreate the space's history as an esteemed gentlemen's club and bank.
A rooftop lap pool is more for show than actual use, knowing perhaps that Barcelona prefers the beach to preening in the sun on a random rooftop. A mostly tourist scene occupy lounge furniture that's 'Cleopatra meets Charlotte's Web' compliments of B&B Italia's outdoor collection that's pure "love-it or hate-it." The basement spa, accessed by private elevator privy to bathrobes and terrycloth slippers, offers its own indoor swimming pool with eight treatment rooms, herbal steam baths and fitness center with products now branded by Mandarin Oriental.
The Room
Rooms at Mandarin Oriental Barcelona are built for business with comfortable, uplifting details that don’t include floral curtains or tasseled bedspreads. Entry-level Deluxe Rooms are laid in light oak floors with creamy beige rugs awash in natural daylight and building scenes of the city that benefit from soundproof windows. Beds with leather upholstered headboards and integrated wall-mounted side tables marry western design with eastern feng shui near open-flow bathrooms offering egg-like bathtubs and counter-style vanities that are the picture of Dwell Magazine. Larger rooms and suites come with furnished terraces, even grander bathrooms with city views and top-floor Presidential Suite with outdoor living room and private kitchen with fulltime butler.
Preferred Room
Presidential Suite
Special Features
Designer Hotel, Business Hotel, City Center
Amenities
Pool, Lounge, Rooftop Pool, Spa, Bar, Business Center
