Souring high above the Spanish city’s skyline is Hotel Arts Barcelona, an iconic luxury property that frames unmatched views over the Mediterranean and historic Catalonian city.
Set in the in the heart of the Port Olímpic neighbourhood, since its inception in 1994 from renowned architect Bruce Graham, the glorious 455 room, 28 penthouse hotel has stood 44 floors high, proudly between city and sea.
Forever certifying visitors have new reasons to visit and return, the team at Hotel Arts collaborate with the finest local brands that champion the character of Catalonia. This includes the opening of a new deli that specialises in allowing guests the opportunity to take a taste of the region home; whilst up in the urban spa, the hotel has partnered recently with a local holistic wellbeing brand to boost physical and emotional wellbeing.
Here I’ve highlighted two very special, locally inspired offerings you can discover at the hotel this autumn.
Surprises beyond a culinary boutique
With so many guests requesting to take a taste of Barcelona home with them, the hotel decided they would transform one of their boutiques into a Spanish style delicatessen, aka ‘The Pantry’. Revealing more than meets the eye, the hotel has created an intriguing speak easy style restaurant that can entered through one of the deli’s shelves that is filled with an impressive collection of local wine labels, cured meats and olives. An unexpected gastronomic gem, this new locally inspired restaurant celebrates everything that is stocked in the culinary boutique, but expertly prepared on your plate – from the local region and wider Mediterranean.
Making it even easier for guests to take a slice of Spanish life home, The Pantry is stocked full of with more than 80 local wine labels along with a handpicked selection of deli products such as high quality olive oil, caviar, organic jams, canned fish and cheese. Meanwhile, the speakeasy restaurant blends soft lighting with mellow music. Coming alive after dark, here locals and visitors come together to enjoy flavours of the region with sharing-style dishes and regional wines.
At The Pantry restaurant, start with locally farmed tomatoes with fresh Mató cheese from Catalonia, Cantabrian anchovies and basil-infused oil before segueing onto Mediterranean sea bass and tiger prawns with char-grilled endives and Valencian orange-scented beurre blanc. End your evening with poached Lleida pear with vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate sauce.
Holistic Catalonian wellness therapies
Meanwhile a few weeks ago up on the 43’rd floor, Hotel Arts Barcelona’s luxurious spa ignited a partnership with ALQVIMIA. Delivering local wellness to the hotel’s discerning spa-goers, the Catalonian company introduces its renowned collection of holistic natural cosmetics and aromatherapy products that have been created to improve physical and emotional wellbeing.
Situated 150 meters above sea level, the hotel’s wellness sanctuary is bathed in natural light and displays gorgeous views over serene, deep blue ocean. This latest partnership brings to the hotel a beauty concept based on ancestral formulas and the therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy. Founded by Idili Lizcano, ALQVIMIA leverages the power of natural oils and botanical extracts in each product, using crops from their biodynamic orchard or from the most prestigious in the world, to obtain the highest quality.
The Spanish wellbeing brand’s beauty rituals and treatments includes massages and facials. Body rituals include the decadent “Queen of Egypt” treatment inspired by Cleopatra that uses salts and mud from the Dead Sea. Meanwhile, expectant mothers can try the aptly named “Mother-to-Be’’ body ritual that has been designed to relax the nervous system and prevent discomfort and the appearance of stretch marks. Lastly the “Eternal Youth” facial is an exclusive and luxurious treatment that combines oriental massage techniques, the powerful light of white quartz, and the effective properties of the Eternal Youth pro-aging collection.
Factbox
Address: Carrer de la Marina, 19, 21, 08005 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 932 21 10 00
Website: hotelartsbarcelona.com/en/
