1. An impressive revamp
Capella Garcia Arquitectura’s Styrofoam-white structure on the corner of Passeig de Gràcia has been relaunched by Amsterdam-based Sir Hotels. Each road-facing balcony curves out like an open newspaper to scoop light into your own private pocket. Meanwhile, inside you’ll find a Carrara marble pool table by Israeli design studio BARANOWITZ + KRONENBERG and bright paintings by Alfons Borrell.
2. A homage to female authors
The hotel is named after Victor Català, the pseudonym of female Catalan writer Caterina Albert i Paradís. A library on the mezzanine, filled entirely with books by female authors, offers a fitting tribute and a tranquil reading space, while bedrooms also display books on women’s art, such as Toba Khedoori’s delicate drawings and fashion photographer Akila Berjaoui’s coconut-scented seascapes.
3. Feast on this
Housed within the hotel is the second outpost of award- winning Dutch steakhouse MR PORTER, where plush semi-circular leather booths face a marble-slabbed open kitchen. Steak aside, enjoy peppery roast beef carpaccio, chilli prawns and an Instagram- famous chocolate egg.
4. Poolside views over Gaudí’s greats
The hotel’s rooftop pool is a slither of blue encased by wooden-plank decking, providing guests with a cooling dip with a view of culture. One block ahead sits the undulating stonework of Antoni Gaudí’s La Pedrera, topped with stout spiral towers like ornate chess pieces. To the left, the ever-growing towers of La Sagrada Familia pierce the horizon. Marvel at both while sipping on a probiotic piña colada – coconut milk kefir, fresh pineapple and an optional kick of rum – by local fermenters, Ferment 9.
5. Pop-up designer boutique
Shopping is brought right to hotel guests with an in-lobby store filled with a well-curated collection from local designers. For colour lovers, delight at flamboyant statement earrings by Gonzalo Cutrina and elegant silk scarves from Gina Cusachs. For the minimalists, covet Marc Monzó’s subtle silver rings or leather and cotton bags by Ölend, each made individually by hand.
Singapore Airlines flies to Barcelona five times weekly. To book a flight, visit singaporeair.com
SEE ALSO: Neighbourhood spotlight: Poblenou, Barcelona
This article was originally published in the September 2019 issue of SilverKris magazine
