Barcelona, a colourful mosaic
Exhibitions, an historic heritage, shopping, watersports activities… It’s impossible to be bored in Barcelona. Only an hour-and-a-half from Paris, this vibrant Catalan capital is still one of Europe’s trendiest destinations.
With a population of over 1.6 million in an area of 102 sq. kilometres, Barcelona is an impressive urban area on the seafront. Undergoing constant development, the Catalan capital is characterized by wide avenues with colourful facades lined with fashionable concept stores, luxury boutiques, bars with great atmsophere, designer hotels and historic monuments. Here one finds magnificent masterpieces of modern Catalan art such as Antoni Gaudi’s “Pedrera” and “Casa Batllo”. Every night, the lights illuminate a festive city, and until dawn, clubs on La Rambla and seafront bars echo to electro music and guitars.
Les bonnes Tables :
Arola
A member of “The Leading Hotels of the World”, the 5-star Majestic Hotel, recently renovated to the tune of 30 million euros, now proposes installations and services meeting the expectations of a discerning international clientele : 227 rooms, 42 suites, 6 penthouses with 24-hour butlers. The brunch supervised by star-rated Catalan chef Nandu Jubany is famous all over town.www.hotelmajestic.es
A member of “The Leading Hotels of the World”, the 5-star Majestic Hotel, recently renovated to the tune of 30 million euros, now proposes installations and services meeting the expectations of a discerning international clientele : 227 rooms, 42 suites, 6 penthouses with 24-hour butlers. The brunch supervised by star-rated Catalan chef Nandu Jubany is famous all over town.www.hotelmajestic.es
On the Passeig de Gràcia, the flamboyant Mandarin Oriental basks in extreme refinement. Its 120 rooms and suites are decorated by Patricia Urquiola, the most fashionable Spanish interior designer of this decade. The hotel’s little gems include the gastronomic restaurant “Moments” with two Michelin stars proposing the quintessence of Catalan cuisine, and an impressive spa of 1,000 m2 offering a wide range of holistic treatments. www.mandarinoriental.fr/barcelona
On the Passeig de Gràcia, the flamboyant Mandarin Oriental basks in extreme refinement. Its 120 rooms and suites are decorated by Patricia Urquiola, the most fashionable Spanish interior designer of this decade. The hotel’s little gems include the gastronomic restaurant “Moments” with two Michelin stars proposing the quintessence of Catalan cuisine, and an impressive spa of 1,000 m2 offering a wide range of holistic treatments. www.mandarinoriental.fr/barcelona
Designed by world-renowned architect Ricardo Bofil,
W Barcelona is set like an ocean liner at the edge of the beach.
Its 473 rooms and suites offer panoramic views of the town or sea. A Bliss Spa, the “Bravo24” restaurant with its roof-top bar, lounges and swimming pools make this one of the city’s most luxurious ports-of-call.
www.w-barcelona.cat
Designed by world-renowned architect Ricardo Bofil,
W Barcelona is set like an ocean liner at the edge of the beach.
Its 473 rooms and suites offer panoramic views of the town or sea. A Bliss Spa, the “Bravo24” restaurant with its roof-top bar, lounges and swimming pools make this one of the city’s most luxurious ports-of-call.
www.w-barcelona.cat
On the second floor of the luxury Hotel Arts, the “Arola” restaurant boasts a sumptuous terrace surveying Frank Gehry’s giant whale sculpture. The decor is divinely contemporary, the ambiance guaranteed by sets from the best local DJs, and as for food, Catalan chef Sergi Arola demonstrates his virtuosity every day with excellent local ingredients. Reservations essential. www.hotelartsbarcelona.com
El Raco d’en Cesc
Certainly one of the most popular addresses in the town centre,
“El Raco d’en Cesc” invites guests to sample delicious “tapas” at the counter or in the dining-room decorated in the typical style of a lovely family residence. www.elracodencesc.com
Flax & Kale
Teresa Carles is a pioneer in veggie cuisine in Spain. In her healthy
new “Flax & Kale” canteen, tastefully decorated in a style blending Spanish and Scandinavian influences, she proposes enticing organic dishes. www.teresacarles.com
