Mandarin Oriental Barcelona enjoys an excellent location on Passeig de Gràcia, at the very center of Barcelona’s commercial and entertainment district. It provides easy access to the city’s finest shopping, dining and cultural venues and is a short walk from many major tourist attractions. From the hotel, guests can stroll amongst the city’s celebrated promenades and architecture and enjoy the attractions of the famous Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter. Barcelona’s many museums, churches and parks are all close at hand and two of the most celebrated buildings by the city’s famous architect Gaudí Casa Batlló and Casa Mila – are just a stone’s throw from the hotel. In addition, Barcelona’s airport (El Prat) is a mere 20 minutes by car.
Mandarin Oriental Barcelona is housed in an elegant mid-20th century building, which was once the head offices of a bank. In keeping with Mandarin Oriental’s passion for working with creative design concepts, the famous Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola was commissioned to create the hotel’s stunning interior. The design revolves around a soaring white atrium and floating catwalk, which lead from the Passeig de Gràcia to the cream-and-gold-colored lobby. Featuring sliding crystal doors, mirrored ceilings, and intricate latticework, the entrance hall overlooks the light filled Blanc restaurant and lounge below. The spatial layout and furniture design, the ceiling decorations, and the beautiful hand-woven carpets have all been carefully chosen by Urquiola.
Each of the hotel’s 120 rooms and suites has been individually furnished and decorated to embrace the best of the destination whilst adding a touch of Oriental flair. The luxurious guestrooms are amongst the largest in the city and look out over Barcelona’s most stylish boulevard – Passeig de Gràcia – or over the hotel’s landscaped interior garden. A number of guestrooms have a balcony or terrace, from which to admire the surrounding modernist façades. During my visit, I was upgraded to a fabulous Premier Suite, which included a master bedroom, living room with dining table for 6, and a luxurious bathroom equipped with standalone bathtub. Sumptuous fabrics of leather, velvet and exquisite silks were mixed with elegant woods and a rich palette of green, black and gold to create a sophisticated and vibrant living space.
On its 9th floor, Mandarin Oriental Barcelona features a gorgeous rooftop, which ranks among the largest and most exclusive rooftop spots in Barcelona. Surrounded by perfectly trimmed hedges, the terrace offers a spectacular and unique perspective over Barcelona’s skyline. Most of the city’s landmarks are visible from the rooftop, including the Sagrada Familia, Casa Battlo, Plaça d’Espanya, and the cathedral. The rooftop’s eye-catcher is a rectangular dipping pool, surrounded by wood slats, cushioned loungers, and wicker chairs. Drinks & light snacks are offered during the day. The ambiance (and views) are particular great in the late afternoon since the rooftop offers a picture-perfect view of the sunset.
Things to know
* The rooftop pool functions more as a decorative element than a real pool. It’s only about 60 cm deep, so you can’t really swim in it. It’s perfect though to take a dip on a hot summer day. If you want to swim laps or need some morning workouts, you’re better off in the spa’s indoor lap pool, which is illuminated by green neon lights.
Restaurants
Moments
With two Michelin stars already, Moments restaurant continues to win new awards and new devotees thanks to its creative, fresh and healthy cuisine inspired by Catalan culinary culture. Managed by chef Carme Ruscalleda and her son Raül Balam, Moments offers one of the finest gastronomic experiences in Barcelona. Having won seven Michelin stars for her restaurants in Spain and Tokyo, Ruscalleda is one of the most famous chefs in the country. Decorated with the beauty of Patricia Urquiola’s exclusive designs, the golden and amber hues of the Moments dining room create a relaxing, magical atmosphere for the enjoyment of the gastronomic experience offered by a tasting menu. In addition, a window onto the kitchen provides diners with an attractive view of the culinary staff at work. Renowned Chef Carme Ruscalleda, one of the most awarded female Chefs in the world and best ambassador of Catalan gastronomy, is the Director of Moments which offers one of the most innovative culinary experiences in the city.
Blanc
Blanc is all-day dining restaurant situated at the heart of the hotel. Open from 7am, Blanc’s menu focuses on local cuisine based on natural ingredients cooked with respect and inspiration. In the mornings, guests can enjoy an à la carte breakfast with spread of fresh fruit, local organic yogurts, freshly baked pastries, as well as a wide range of eggs, bagels, cereals and also a selection of Catalan traditional breakfast. Set against a dramatic white backdrop, under vaulted skylights, Blanc Restaurant is the hotel’s all-day dining venue. Serving Carme Ruscalleda’s cuisine in a casual setting, Blanc is a venue with a unique design: the huge, suspended metallic mesh is one of the hotel’s most spectacular architectural features. Blanc’s menu focuses on local cuisine based on natural ingredients cooked with respect and inspiration. A slightly more relaxed place is Blanc, downstairs, which is also overseen by Ruscalleda and where you can indulge in the superb tasting menu or simply order a club sandwich or a high-end hot dog.
Bankers’ Bar
It’s hard to find fault with the eating and drinking options, from the Bankers’ Bar, reminiscent of a gentlemen’s club in décor but with a thoroughly modern approach to cocktails, to the fragrantly scented Mimosa Garden bar. On the rooftop is Terrat, for strong cocktails and Peruvian gastronomy. With a ceiling fashioned from authentic safety deposit boxes eluding to the building’s former use as a bank, the fabulous Banker’s Bar is both a vibrant nightspot and a stunning piece of design. Atmospherically lit with a choice of indoor and outdoor seating, Banker’s Bar offers an extensive list of cocktails including much-loved classics including Bloody Mary, Cosmopolitan, Margarita, or Whiskey Sour.
The Terrat
Terrat offers a truly memorable dining experience. With incredible 360 views of the city, Terrat provides a stunning setting on top of Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona. Make the most of a wide range of drinks and cocktails, while you relax and enjoy the sunset in Barcelona and the exclusive and legendary service of Mandarin Oriental.
Enjoy cocktails and sophisticated Peruvian dishes by Gastón Acurio with the unique Barcelona skyline as the backdrop.
La Tavola
Discover the best Italian pizzas, a bite with a taste of the Amalf Coast made with the best ingredients of the region and paired with the wines of Veneto, Lombardy, Tuscany, or Sicily. It also includes vegan alternatives. As an antipasti, to whet your appetite, try the classics of Italian cuisine such as melanzane alla parmigiana, caprese salad and burrata with prosciutto di Parma. Save room for dessert, a delicious Tiramisu or a Baba, a tasty Neapolitan cake dipped in rum.
