One luxury accommodation with a sublime location in the heart of Passeig de Gràcia. This is the best hotel in Barcelona, the Mandarin Oriental! I had been there for over ten years, but I recently returned and had an even more fantastic stay. In a former bank, the building with modernist features gained touches of the brand’s oriental heritage in small details. And the neighboring building was purchased, totaling 120 rooms, elegant and spacious and some with spectacular views! Furthermore, gastronomy is taken seriously, as in all the brand’s hotels, and MO Barcelona has two restaurants, Blanc and the starred Moments, and the modern Banks bar. Exemplary service completes this fabulous luxury experience in the heart of Barcelona! So, keep reading this post until the end to know all the details from five star hotel in Barcelona.
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Mandarin Oriental location
Hotel Mandarin Barcelona is perfectly located on the city’s most chic street, Paseo de Gràcia, literally five minutes from Casa Batló, one of Gaudí’s main works. Furthermore, it maintains its original facade of a bank, built in the first half of the last century.
The best hotel in Barcelona
The comfort and luxury of the Mandarin Barcelona is something that stands out as soon as we enter the hotel. The bold design by Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola contrasts with the brand’s typical Asian discretion and luminosity is one of its main characteristics. Upon entering, we cross a walkway until we reach the elegant and discreet lobby. Next, we come across the impressive Blanc restaurant, which is one floor below, but which is possible to see from above, through a kind of huge and spectacular white grille, perforated in mosaics.
The accommodations at Mandarin Oriental Barcelona
The 120 rooms and suites have contemporary and sophisticated decor, with leather furniture, black touches, and always with a slight oriental touch. Furthermore, they all have views of the Passeig de Gracia or to the hotel gardens. My suite was spacious and cozy, measuring 56 m2, and divided into a living room and bedroom. In the living room, there was a large sofa with a dining table with four seats, which, by the way, was full of goodies when I arrived, as well as a coffee maker, minibar and a toilet.
In the room itself, a comfortable king size bed, desk, mini closet and a spacious bathroom, with two sinks, and equipped with everything the guest needs. Some with bathtubs and others with a shower so no one can fault them. And, last but not least, my suite also had a small balcony overlooking the charming, tree-lined Paseo de Gràcia!
The gastronomy
The best hotel in Barcelona has two restaurants and a bar. Blanc, which we mentioned above, is where guests have a delicious breakfast. It offers modern Catalan cuisine with Asian touches. On the seasonal menu, highlights include “Salmorejo”, a soup with prawns and olives, fish with banana chutney and meat with figs.
On the same floor as the lobby, there is the starred MOments. The chef in charge of the kitchen is the renowned Catalan chef Carme Ruscadella, and her son, Raúl Ballán. Chef Carme started with a restaurant in her pueblo, San Pau, 50kms from Barcelona and today also owns an establishment in Tokyo and has a total of five Michelin stars. With two stars, MOments only serves a tasting menu.
Also on this floor is the modern Banks Bar. The architect paid homage to the traditional bank that existed there, not only in the name, but also in the architectural design. Some original safes were maintained and others were built to give the impression that we are actually inside a bank. The result was original and charming.
Pool and Spa
On the rooftop of the best hotel in Barcelona, we find a swimming pool big enough to cool off during summer days – which, believe me, can be extremely hot. It is the only space in the hotel dedicated solely to guests. And the view is a spectacle! There is also Terrat, a seasonal bar that only opens from April to November.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s spa is a chapter in itself, with a seductive indoor pool and some sun loungers. In other words, ideal for relaxing after a day of intense tourism that wonderful Barcelona offers us. The gym is super complete.
There is certainly no shortage of reasons to visit this Spanish urban paradise. After all, the Mandarin Oriental is the best hotel in Barcelona!
Journalist Renata Araújo stayed at the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona with the support of Portfolio Travel Solutions, a travel agency specializing in exotic destinations.
Text and photos by Renata Araújo.
