Fashion Studio Magazine: STYLISH HOTELS

By Eva Fydrych

A New Way of Seeing Things

Photos by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine

Barcelona, one of the most important centres of fashion, art, design, architecture and gastronomy of Spain, is a vibrant cosmopolitan city that you should visit at least once in your lifetime. To enhance the travel experience, choose one of the most stylish hotels in the city - Le Méridien Barcelona.

This prestigious five-star hotel is located on Barcelona’s famous Las Ramblas and within walking distance to all major attractions: the ancient Gothic Quarter, Liceo Opera House, Picasso Museum, Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA), the Boqueria market, the fountains at Plaça de Catalunya, unlimited shopping at Paseo de Gracia, and the supreme architecture of the renowned Gaudi landmarks.

Lobby (Photo courtesy of Le Méridien Barcelona)

Le Méridien Barcelona features chic, boutique design and unique details such as carpets featuring Barcelona street map and Gaudí-inspired finishings. The hotel has a relaxed ambience and excellent staff willing to go the extra mile to meet the guests' expectations. It is a perfect reflection of the city - vibrant, modern and unique.

Hotel interior (Photo courtesy of Le Méridien Barcelona) Click to enlarge

Hotel interior (Photo courtesy of Le Méridien Barcelona)

More Than Just A Hotel

Le Méridien and its cultural curator Jérôme Sans have launched a cultural agreement with Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) which houses many of the most famous works of Cézanne, Picasso, Pollock, Johns and Warhol, as well as holding numerous contemporary art exhibitions throughout the year. All guests can enjoy free entry to the museum which is a five-minute walk away from the hotel.

There is much more to discover at Le Méridien Barcelona. The hotel places great importance on contemporary art and collaborates with various artists on regular basis. The room keycards are works of art in their own right which will themselves be collectible after a few years. This year, Le Méridien is celebrating three UNLOCK ART LM100 artists with their respective series of keys: Michael Lin, Sam Samore, and Yan Lei.

Yan Lei's Unlock Art keycard (Photo courtesy of Le Méridien Barcelona)

The entrance to the hotel is an exclusive Arrival Artwork by the local photographer and lecturer in Fine Art, Joan Fontcuberta. The image represents a weather map of the western Mediterranean announcing good weather for the Barcelona area. It was made using a photomosaic composed of 5,600 pieces captured on Google.

In the reception area, there are three replica chairs of those designed by Antonio Gaudí, all available for the guests to use. There is also a unique artwork (measuring 25 meters in length and composed of 141 iron plates lined with paper) by Spanish artist Jaume Amigó. The sculpture is inspired by the architectural models that Gaudí built as a study, prior to completion of his world famous buildings. For more details about Le Méridien chic details, please click here.

Soupe Gaudí by Jaume Amigó (Photo courtesy of Le Méridien Barcelona)

Mediterranean Suite

Le Méridien’s stylish rooms feature flat-screen TVs, a music system and iPod dock, and carefully selected art books and fashion magazines. The recently renovated Mediterranean Suites offer private terraces with unique views over Barcelona. It is like having your own quiet hideaway in the middle of the city - a perfect place to unwind and relax. There is a separate working space in the suite, large walk-in closet, and trendy pieces of furniture - Cadaques Sofa and Ibiza Armchair.

Elegant bathroom with stunning floor tiles offers plenty of space and every comfort imaginable: a TV mirror, floor heating, a bathroom scale, a hair straightener, and Cinq Mondes toiletries. The whole suite is so beautifully designed that you actually don't feel like leaving the hotel at all.

Discover the Hotel

Private terrace (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)

Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine

New Spa Concept

Explore Spa Studio breaks with the tradition of typical spas. Located on the 6th floor of the hotel, the spa offers an outdoor Vitality Pool and a sun terrace with unbeatable views of the city. Available beauty & wellness therapies include a wide variety of body and face treatments: hot stone and oriental massages, scrubs, body wraps, and facials based on Balinese and Japanese rituals. Explore Spa Studio uses prestigious products developed by Cinq Mondes, the French pioneer and expert in Professional Spa Treatments and Skincare.

Staying at Le Méridien Barcelona was one of the highlights of my Barcelona trip as the hotel is an attraction in itself!

Eva Fydrych

Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine

Eva Fydrych on the terrace of Explore Spa Studio

Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine

LOCATION

Le Méridien Barcelona is located on the famous La Rambla, in the very heart of Barcelona city centre, a few minutes to fine dining, shopping and entertainment venues. Barcelona Airport is only 30 minutes away.

Photo courtesy hotelsspainonline

Le Méridien Barcelona

La Rambla 111

Barcelona 8002, Spain

Phone: +34 93 318 6200

______________________________________________________________________

To find out more about Le Méridien Barcelona, please read our exclusive interview with Ana Miquel:

ANA MIQUEL

Occupation: PR Manager

City: Barcelona, Spain

Googlegrama by Joan Fontcuberta (Photo courtesy of Le Méridien Barcelona)

Gaudi chairs (Photo courtesy of Le Méridien Barcelona)

FASHION STUDIO: How would you describe the style and atmosphere of Le Méridien Barcelona?

ANA: Unique, chic and contemporary. At the same time, as a five-star hotel we offer the highest level of accommodations and services. There is also "an extra dash" as we try to deliver personalized service to all our guests.

"Le Méridien is more than just a destination; it is a way of life. By looking at the world through the lens of Le Méridien guests will discover the curious within and be inspired to take a voyage around the world encountering the arts, music, fashion, design and culinary expertise with creativity and flair. At Le Méridien hotels guests discover more than just a destination, they discover a new way of seeing things." - Starwood Hotels

Photo courtesy of Le Méridien Barcelona

FASHION STUDIO: What advantages has this hotel over other five-star hotels in Barcelona?

ANA: Le Méridien Barcelona is just in the centre of the city, on the charming La Rambla. Everything important is within walking distance from our hotel. The prime location of the hotel represents a chance for discovery. Constant innovation and rising standards in this centrally located hotel serve to open it up and share a world of culture and gastronomy, inviting everyone to discover the city from a new perspective.

FASHION STUDIO: Could you tell us more about the interior design of the hotel?

ANA: Our new style is signed by Isabel López Vilalta a very well-known and recognized interior designer. She did find the perfect mix between the character of this building from the late '50s, protected by the local authority and Major House, and the modern style of our brand initiatives.

Prestige Suite (Photo courtesy of Le Méridien Barcelona)

Mediterranean Suite (Photo courtesy of Le Méridien Barcelona)

FASHION STUDIO: What is the most fashionable suite in the hotel and why?

ANA: All our new suites from 6th to 9th floors are superb. Mediterranean Suites with their large terraces and the Prestige Suites with incredible views over the city, but indeed our “360º Barcelona Suite” located on the 9th floor is a must. It offers amazing views of Barcelona, two separate balconies, plenty of space (168m²) and natural sunlight.

Other facilities include a mobile projector and screen, a dressing room, a 42" LED TV, an iPad and iPhone station, a bathroom with reinforced glass walls, a TV mirror, a hydraulic mosaic floor; as well as underfloor heating in every room. All these features make it a really unique suite to discover.

FASHION STUDIO: Thank you for giving us an insight into Le Méridien Barcelona. It's been a pleasure talking to you!