Summer in Barcelona not only brings sunny days and long lazy evenings but also attracts the crowds in their swarms. However, don?t let this deter you from the Catalan capital, with its al fresco tapas, cosy vermuterias and charming streets. Our piece of advice: head for the hills, literally.
Tucked in between Camp Nou (the Barcelona F.C. stadium) and the sleek shops of Avinguda Diagonal, lies the city?s only urban resort, the Fairmont Juan Reyes Carlos. Think sweeping sea views and a central location, minus the tourist hustle and bustle.
The hotel is undergoing somewhat of a renovation process, both in terms of decor and offerings, starting with the newly opened lobby in 2016, designed by London?s Richmond Design Hospitality. As you step inside the front entrance, the first thing you’ll notice is how shiny and new everything still is. Spanning a massive 70m in height, the open lobby has a modernist palette with a Spanish twist, all matte steels and golden metallics inspired by the works of architect Santiago Calatrava (of the futuristic City of Arts & Sciences in Valencia). The local stylings add a real Catalan feel, including the lobby?s hanging light fixtures, representing the bubbles in a glass of cava, the local?s favorite tipple, as well as floor tiling inspired by Barcelona?s luxurious boulevard, Passeig De Gracia.
Not to be missed is the hotel?s newest lounge, the lobby?s B24 bar, open 24 hours a day. The new eatery serves up local tapas including Iberian-...