LUXE Loves is our regular feature where we spotlight our all-time favourite places on the planet. From wowza hotel stays to the world’s most happenin’ restos, bars and shops worth raving home about … welcome to the crème of our curated cohort.
What:
The Barcelona EDITION
Where:
Barcelona, Spain
Why We Love It:
Swing through the Barcelona’s EDITION’s doors to be greeted by a stunning lofted lobby space – our eyes were immediately drawn to the prominent cerulean blue Eric Schmitt chandelier and a collection of timeless furniture pieces originally designed by Catalan masters, Salvador Dalí and Antoni Gaudí.
Check-in is friendly yet sophisticated, coupled with a cheeky afternoon libation of locally-produced vermouth, craft beer, or sherry at the lobby bar – a hub for Barcelona’s elite socialites.
Location
Situated in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter (aka Old Town), the hotel is right next to the bustling Santa Caterina food market, a short kilometer-stroll from Barceloneta Beach, and a few minutes-walk from other popular tourist destinations like Antoni Gaudi’s Palau Güell, Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar, the Picasso Museum, and La Rambla.
Rooms and design:
The hotel is home to 100 rooms and suites, three restaurants, two bars, a roof terrace with a bonus plunge pool, a lobby gathering space, and a fully equipped 24/7 gym and wellness centre – making it a dynamic social hub where guests and visitors alike can relax, work, socialise, and dine, all under one roof.
What used to be an outdated and underused property was converted by Carlos Ferrater Studio into a modern, glass-fronted monument of the city – an urban mirror of sorts that reflects the city’s famed gothic architecture. Echoing the spirit of its surroundings, the hotel’s exterior plays with geometric angles to emphasise light and shadow.
Renowned Spanish interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán’s style augments the EDITION brand with refined elegance and sophisticated design sensibility. Think state-of-the-art beds lined with EDITION’s imported luxury Anichini linens and embossed Spanish leather headboards, custom-scented Le Labo bathroom toiletries presented against white Sivec marble and brass hardware, and walnut wall paneling that matches the Old Town’s narrow street facades’ shutters.
Food and drink
The Barcelona EDITION has something for everyone with round-the-clock dining and drinking options.
The venue’s signature restaurant, Veraz, offers all-day dining overseen by Executive Chef Pedro Tassarolo (who cut his teeth at Mugaritz in the Basque Country and world-renowned El Bulli.)
Inspired by Mediterranean culinary traditions, the menu sees an array of a la carte brunch items, like shakshuka, avocado toast, chia pudding, coconut cream pancakes, and a smattering of Spanish fusion plates, plus fruit and vegetable health juices and Esperanza Cafe specialty coffee beverages.
Veraz also partners with regional Michelin star chefs – like the current collaboration lunch and dinner menu with Chef Martina Puigvert from Les Cols – a contemporary interpretation of Spanish specialties complemented by a Mediterranean wine list of over 30 wines from local vineyards. There’s also the ever-popular weekend brunch menu accompanied by live music every Sunday.
Another main draw, The Roof sits on the hotel’s 10th floor, with a 360-degree panoramic view over the sprawling city paired with Asian-inspired snacks and sips. Covered in plants and flowers, it feels like a ‘garden in the sky,’ replete with hanging lanterns and earth-tone seating.
A tip of the hat to The London EDITION’s award-winning Punch Room, the Barcelona EDITION’s mezzanine floor Punch Room serves up similarly prized bevvies organized along a taste compass to guide imbibers to their preferred flavors.
For those with a competitive streak, an impressive Castilian-style billiards table is available against a chocolate leather and green velvet backdrop, amplified by the warmth of a black granite fireplace and dark oak design elements.
Finally, Cabaret is an exclusive events space, hosting everything from exhibitions and product launches to social gatherings, corporate meetings, and celebrations within its red and black velour-outfitted space.
Verdict
Nestled in the pulsing heart of Barcelona’s El Born neighbourhood (the creative core of the historic Old Quarter), the Barcelona EDITION is the ideal spot to experience all the city has to offer.
From local fare to high-end cocktails, from luxury shopping to historical sites, it really has everything within reach, all while staying in the comfort of a five-star boutique hotel.
Reviewed by: Sophie Steiner
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