Most visitors exploring Gaudí architecture in Barcelona focus—rightly so—on the famous landmarks: Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and Palau Güell. Next comes the stylish Eixample district, where Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, and Casa Calvet stand as timeless icons of Catalan Modernism.

After touring six of Gaudí’s masterpieces, many travelers feel they’ve seen it all. They buy souvenirs and prepare to fly home from El Prat Airport. Yet one of Gaudí’s hidden gems remains overlooked—Bellesguard, also known as Casa Figueras.

Tucked quietly into the foothills of Barcelona, this architectural treasure reveals a very different side of the genius—and it’s well worth the detour.

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The Hidden Gaudí Manor of Sarrià-Sant Gervasi

For travelers seeking Gaudí architecture off the tourist trail, a short 20-minute drive from central Barcelona leads to Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, one of the city’s most elegant residential neighborhoods. Here stands Torre Bellesguard, also known as Casa Figueras—an unfinished Gaudí manor built between 1900 and 1909. It sits quietly yet proudly amid leafy streets and historic surroundings.

This spot carries centuries of history. In 1408, it was the site of the home of the last Count of Barcelona, and later, it hosted Pope Benedict XIII. Gaudí’s version, created at the turn of the 20th century, reimagined this heritage with his signature balance of spiritual symbolism and Catalan modernism.

About the Bellesguard of Gaudi

Today, Bellesguard feels distinctly local. Around it, you’ll find schools, small parks, and apartment balconies filled with daily life instead of selfie sticks. From the terrace, you see real Barcelona residents living their routines, not tourists checking in and out of Airbnbs.

At first glance, Bellesguard appears modest—its layout is simple, its details restrained. Yet beneath that quiet exterior lies some of Gaudí’s most complex design work. Followers of Catalan modernist architecture often describe it as one of his most intellectually layered creations, full of subtle geometry and historical symbolism.

Inside Bellesguard: A Private World Revealed

Until recently, Bellesguard remained a private family residence, hidden in plain sight. The house is modest by millionaire standards, and for a Gaudí design, its foyer feels almost intimate. Yet the moment you step inside, you sense its quiet brilliance.

Exploring Torre Bellesguard feels like unwrapping a forgotten gift. Each staircase tells a different story—some grand and sunlit, others narrow enough to brush both walls as you climb. Every turn reveals another glimpse into the unfinished genius of Gaudí, a balance of precision and imperfection that makes the space come alive.

When I visited, the second floor—once home to the family matriarch—was still under renovation. None of the bedrooms were yet open to visitors, leaving a sense of mystery suspended in the air. I couldn’t help wondering what a Gaudí-designed bedroom might look like—how geometry, light, and craftsmanship would shape a space meant for rest rather than spectacle.

The Climb to the Top: Gaudí’s Hidden Masterpiece

The best of Torre Bellesguard awaits at the very top. To reach it, climb the narrow staircase that winds up through stone and shadow until the light opens around you.

At the summit sits a small smoking room with sweeping views over Barcelona. It’s empty now, its furniture long gone, yet the space still hums with presence. You can almost imagine the conversations that once filled it—the laughter, the cigars, the distant sound of church bells from the city below.

I lingered by the terrace ledge, taking in the panorama and the lingering spirit of a life once beautifully lived. Still, this isn’t the finale.

Next to the smoking room lies the music room, tucked beneath the building’s dragon-shaped roof. Here, Gaudí’s unfinished vision is fully visible—raw bricks, open arches, and daring geometry that hint at what might have been. The acoustics are astonishing; even a whisper carries through the vaulted space.

Today, Bellesguard is finally open to visitors, as well as to private weddings and cultural events. Add it to your list of hidden Gaudí treasures in Barcelona—it’s one of the city’s most intimate encounters with the master’s imagination.

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Why Torre Bellesguard Belongs on Every Traveler’s List

Torre Bellesguard may not have the fame of Sagrada Familia or the crowds of Park Güell, but it offers something rarer — intimacy. It’s where Antoni Gaudí’s genius meets history, imagination, and quiet human warmth. Walking through its corridors feels like stepping into the artist’s private sketchbook, where ideas take shape in stone and light.

For travelers who seek authentic experiences beyond Barcelona’s usual icons, Bellesguard is a revelation. It embodies the Catalan spirit — elegant, independent, and deeply rooted in tradition — yet remains refreshingly untouched by mass tourism.

Whether you visit to admire the architecture, to attend a wedding, or simply to watch the sunset from its dragon-shaped roof, Bellesguard rewards you with perspective — both literal and emotional. It reminds you that beauty often hides in plain sight, waiting for those willing to look closer.

At La Esperanza Granada, we celebrate places like this: destinations that still feel personal, meaningful, and alive. So the next time you plan a journey through Andalusia or Catalonia, include Bellesguard on your itinerary — a quiet masterpiece from Spain’s greatest dreamer.

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For many travelers, Girona is a postcard: pastel houses leaning over the Onyar River, the great cathedral rising above medieval walls, or cobbled lanes where history lingers in every stone. For me, it has always begun — and perhaps always will — at a table in El Celler de Can Roca.

Run by the three Roca brothers — Joan, Josep, and Jordi — the restaurant has held three Michelin stars for years and has often been named the best in the world. But accolades don’t quite capture it. Dining there feels as if time itself has stopped.

I first visited Girona just weeks after El Celler de Can Roca was chosen the best restaurant in the world by the World’s Best Restaurants List. A smooth but jubilant mood swept through the restaurant and diners eyed each other with curiosity, knowing everyone had just won the culinary lottery.

EATING AT EL CELLER DE CAN ROCA AMIDST A STORM

Then I returned once again just before the pandemic, on a day when torrential rains battered Girona and floods spilled through the medieval streets. By the time we arrived for lunch at El Celler de Can Roca at exactly 1 p.m., after a four-hour drive from the Pyrenees of Aragon, we were damp, road-weary, and hungry. Yet the moment we stepped inside, the storm outside ceased to matter.

The dining room glowed with natural light, softened by the clouds, and the tables were dressed in crisp linen that seemed to demand a straighter posture. A low murmur of voices threaded through the space, reverent and expectant. From the first pour of cava to the final, playful dessert, each course arrived as theater — a composition for the eye before it revealed itself on the palate. Flavors carried memory, textures surprised with invention, and each wine told its own story in perfect counterpoint. Time loosened its grip. Hours dissolved into a blur of conversation and astonishment, as if the meal itself had suspended the clock.

By the time I thought to glance outside, rain still lashed the streets, but inside we had been transported elsewhere. Eight and a half hours slipped past almost unnoticed. When evening guests began to arrive at 8:30, we were still at the bar, digestifs in hand, reluctant to surrender the spell.

The next morning, Girona braced for disaster. Floodwaters swelled, and shopkeepers shuttered their doors against the rising current as we shopped for dinner provisions. Yet even as the city bent under the storm, nothing dimmed the glow of that stay — a visit remembered not for its weather but for the rare joy of losing track of time in Girona at all.

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Visiting Casa Cacao in Girona

I began my visit at Casa Cacao, the boutique hotel and chocolate temple run by the Roca brothers. Over a cup of hot chocolate so thick it felt almost spooned from velvet, I shared the story of my love affair with El Celler de Can Roca with my guide. She smiled knowingly.

“Everyone says the same,” she told me. “El Celler de Can Roca is not only a restaurant. It is Girona’s soul, captured in one meal.”

Returning to an Old Town With New Eyes

This time, I came back determined to see more. Girona rewards those who wander without a plan, and each return uncovers something new. I had lunch at Divinum, a promising new-ish restaurant with a young team who created bold and playful Catalan flavors.

“This chef can cook, and he will go very far,” I said to myself, as I enjoyed the tasting menu for lunch. I still remember the main course: a deconstructed Beef Wellington that was unique and also divine.

Between meals, I let the city guide me through its labyrinth of narrow alleys and stone arches. I walked across bridges connecting neighborhoods over the Onyar, past houses painted in pastel colors.

Inside the Hospital Pharmacy of Santa Caterina in Girona

One of the most intriguing discoveries was the Farmàcia de l’Antic Hospital de Santa Caterina. Tucked inside the old hospital, the pharmacy feels suspended in time. Shelves lined with glass jars and carved wood counters recall centuries when this was Girona’s center for healing.

“People came here not only for medicine,” my guide explained. “They came for news, for advice, for comfort.”

It was easy to imagine them waiting patiently, exchanging stories as monks prepared herbal cures. The pharmacy may no longer serve the community, but it remains a reminder that Girona’s history is not only preserved — it is alive.

Five Things to Experience in Girona

1. Walk the Medieval Walls (Passeig de la Muralla) – For sweeping views across Girona and to the Pyrenees.
2. Visit Girona Cathedral – Home to the world’s widest Gothic nave and unforgettable Game of Thrones scenes.
3. Explore the Jewish Quarter (El Call) – A remarkably preserved labyrinth of alleys and courtyards.
4. Stroll Along the Onyar River – With its iconic pastel houses and Eiffel’s red iron bridge.
5. Step into the Arab Baths – A 12th-century gem where history lingers in every arch.

Where to Eat in Girona

• El Celler de Can Roca – Legendary, and still my personal favorite.
• Massana – Refined and Michelin-starred, with a modern Catalan spirit.
• Divinum – Inventive menus that play with tradition.
• Bionbo Café Gastrobar – Seasonal, creative cooking in a relaxed space.
• Casa Marieta – A Girona institution for traditional Catalan cuisine.

Why Girona Keeps Calling Me Back

Every trip to Girona has given me a different gift. Once, it was a flood and a dinner that lasted through the rains that battered the city. This time, it was a cup of hot chocolate at Casa Cacao, the discovery of the Old Pharmacy, and afternoons along the river where sunlight touched the water like paint.

Girona is not a city to tick off a list. It reveals itself slowly. Every visit becomes its own story. And like all the best stories, it lingers long after you’ve left, still inviting you back.

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The Hardest Reservation in Barcelona

To enjoy food is to live. That thought hummed through me as I stepped into Disfrutar Barcelona, one of the most famous restaurants in the world — and rightly so. It holds the coveted three Michelin stars and, in 2024, was crowned The World’s Best Restaurant on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Now, in 2025, it rests in the legendary Best of the Best hall of fame, alongside the greats that have defined global gastronomy.

The Chefs of Disfrutar

Created by chefs Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch, and Mateu Casañas — all alumni of the legendary El Bulli — Disfrutar has become a global reference point for fine dining in Barcelona. It is also one of the most sought-after Michelin star restaurants in Barcelona, with reservations disappearing within hours of release.

The entrance itself gives nothing away. Hidden inside a beautiful but otherwise nondescript building in Barcelona’s Eixample district, the façade is discreet, almost ordinary. There is little to hint at the gastronomic wonderland waiting inside. Yet, stepping past those doors, I found myself in the middle of an exciting buzz — the kind generated by chefs and waitstaff confident in their craft, and by diners who knew they were about to experience something extraordinary.

A Stage Set for Wonder at Disfrutar

Inside, the room was bright and modern, filled with diners who looked and acted as though they’d won a lottery ticket. In a sense, they had. A table here is one of the hardest to secure in Barcelona, and every person in that room knew it.

The staff moved with quiet assurance, gliding between tables as though the choreography had been rehearsed a hundred times. The atmosphere wasn’t stiff, but it carried weight — a shared awareness that something rare was about to happen.

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First Bites at Disfrutar: Playful Creations

The first plates arrived quickly, as if to break the ice. A frozen passion fruit ladyfinger laced with rum cracked between my teeth, cold and sharp. I glanced at the couple seated next to us — Americans who I later learned had traded Chicago for Costa Rica. The wife caught my eye and laughed, holding up her empty spoon. “Like a cocktail that forgot the glass,” she said.

Then came the beet that comes out of the land — presented as if it had been pulled straight from the soil. Its sweetness was earthy, not sugary, and it lingered long after the bite was gone. The husband leaned closer and muttered, “I could eat five of these and still not figure out how they did it.”

A lychee appeared next, dressed in roses and touched with gin. It looked delicate, almost fragile, but the flavor was bold. Three dishes in, it was already clear: this was not food meant to comfort. It was food meant to surprise.

Disfrutar Barcelona Menu Review: Signature Dishes

Courses began to land in rhythm, each one sharper than the last. A vodka and truffle shot slid across the table, cold, earthy, and gone in a blink. The wife leaned over with a grin: “That’s the best martini I’ve ever had — and I don’t even like martinis.”

The panchino came next, a tiny bun filled with caviar. One bite, buttery and salty, and it was gone. The husband whispered, “It’s like a doughnut that went to finishing school.” I nearly laughed out loud.

A gazpacho sandwich crunched with vinegar, tart and cool. The Idiazabal cheese mille-feuille looked too precise to eat, but we ate it anyway. Each plate was clever, but never smug.

Creative Surprises on the Tasting Menu

The surprises kept coming. A mushroom leaf shattered like glass. A crispy egg yolk sat on warm mushroom gelatin, spilling gold when cut. Asparagus was dressed with elderflower and macadamia, light and clean. Then came pesto — but not pesto as anyone knew it. Multi-spherical, paired with pistachio and eel, it felt engineered, yet alive.

The husband shook his head. “If I lived here, I’d sell my car just to eat this once a month.” His wife nudged him and smiled, “He’s serious, by the way.”

From Catalan Tradition to Culinary Theater

Then came the nods to Catalan tradition. Macaroni alla carbonara was playful but rich, a joke that also worked as food. A tomato, turned jewel-like, burst with olive oil. A suquet appeared twice — once as seafood stew, once as cappuccino — two versions of the same memory.

The couple were delighted. “They’re rewriting the classics and getting away with it,” the wife said, half in disbelief.

Sweet Surprises to End Dinner at Disfrutar

Desserts were no less bold. A cucumber in hoisin sauce, clean and strange. A cheesecake cornet, crunchy and sweet. Chocolate peppers dusted with oil and salt blurred every rule. Tarta al whisky closed the line, airy and nostalgic, but different enough to feel new.

The couple swapped bites like teenagers. “This one’s mine,” the husband said, shielding the cheesecake cornet.

An Array of Original Desserts

Then came the finish — a parade of small bites. Hazelnut liquid, raspberry marshmallow, a pine nut and mushroom rock that tasted better than it sounded. Basil leaf candy that vanished on the tongue. More followed: raspberry conglomerate, physalis lollipop, elderflower sphere, chocolate-passion bonbon, cotton candy.

The wife held up her cotton candy like a prize. “This is what childhood would feel like if you grew up in heaven.” She wasn’t wrong.

Compartir in Barcelona: From Enjoying to Sharing

By the end, I felt both full and light. Disfrutar had told its story in edible chapters — playful, precise, and unforgettable.

But our neighbors weren’t finished. They mentioned they had a table at Compartir, Disfrutar’s sister restaurant, the next day. “It’s a table for four,” the wife said. “Join us. After all, compartir means to share.”

We did. The next afternoon was less about tricks, more about flavor. Plates arrived to the center of the table, meant to be passed, tasted, and argued over. It felt looser, warmer, closer to joy itself. To my surprise, I loved Compartir even better.

THE CLASSIC DISHES AT DISFRUTAR

FIRST COURSES

Frozen passion fruit ladyfinger with rum (2016)

The beet that comes out of the land (2014)

Lycjeem amid roses with gin (2014)

SECOND COURSES

Vodka/ truffle (2019)

Flour-free coca pizza (2018)

“Panchino” filled with caviar (2016)

Savory walnut candy with mango, tonka beans and whisky (2014)

Home-made cider smoked at the moment (2016)

Idiazabal cheese mille-feuille (2016)

Gazpacho sandwich with scented vinegar garnish (2016)

Disfrutar’s Gilda (2017)

THIRD COURSES

Crunchy mushroom leaf (2021)

Crispy egg yolk with warm mushroom gelatin (2014)

Asparagus with elderflower and macadamia (2021)

Multi-spherical pesto with pistachios and eel (2017)

FOURTH COURSES

Our macaroni alla carbonara (2014)

Tomato poltroon and arbequina caviaroli (2014)

Liquid salad (2014)

“Suquet” seafood (2016)

“Suquet” cappuccino (2016)

FIFTH COURSES

Pepper steak (2021)

Multi-spherical satin of corn and foie (2016)

Pibil pork (2016)

SIXTH COURSES

Hoisin cucumber (2018)

Cheesecake cornet (2014)

Chocolate peppers, oil and salt (2014)

“Tarta al whisky” (2015)

DESSERTS

Hazelnut liquid “Catania”

Raspberry marshmallow

Pine nuts and mushrooms rock

Basil leaf

Raspberry conglomerate

Physalis lollipop

Spherical elderflower

Chocolate and passion liquid bonbon

Cotton candy

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Palamos is a pretty little town along the coast of Catalunya heading towards France. It”s about 90 minutes from Barcelona, making it a nice and relaxing day trip away from the crowds and enjoying the dramatic landscapes if the weather is fine.

Fortunately, the weather was perfect on the day I visited. Sunshine and warm temperatures all day, and almost no wind. The perfect day for a sail, as people who love boats might describe it, and so this is exactly what I did.

A DELICIOUS WAY TO TRAVEL

Jaume and Clara, a couple who live in the area and run a food experience company called La Gastronomica, met me by the beach. “Let’s go for a walk first,” said Clara, “and while we’re enjoying nature, Jaume will prep the boat and then pick us up somewhere.”

That sounded like a wonderful plan, especially as I was up for anything. Clara and I walked along a hiking trail for around thirty minutes, and I gazed in disbelief at some truly lovely houses, including a handful that reportedly served as summer escapes for Hollywood celebrities and world-famous artists.

CELEBRITY HIDEAWAY IN CATALUNYA

“Ava Gardner once stayed in that house over there,” Clara said, pointing to a pretty estate in a quiet area facing the sea. She added: “Truman Capote also reportedly spent summers in that villa.”

Interestingly, these mansions seemed to co-exist quite happily along the coast, separated by a forest or mountain, with simple fishermen’s cottages and beach shacks.

Pretty soon Jaume appeared on the horizon in a wooden boat, kitchen equipment and food supplies all loaded for a long and liquid lunch. We took off our shoes and walked into the sea to clamber up the boat. And then we were off.

LOCAL FOOD HITS ALL THE RIGHT SPOTS

As we sailed out of the cove, Clara opened a pack of anchovies and cut some local cheese. “We try to serve everything fresh or from around here,” she said, as Jaume placed a plate of shrimps in front of me. Pointing to the new arrival on the table, she added: “These shrimps were just caught this morning.” Aaah. These were the famous Palamos prawns I had been hearing about.

Clara is also a sommelier, so she had several bottles of local wines ready for pouring. We laid out the glasses and the cutlery in a very casual way, and the conversation stopped completely as I savored the culinary delights of Catalunya.

WHERE TO EAT IN PALAMOS

Everything was delicious. And, the palate of Clara and the cooking skills of Jaume aside, I’m sure our picturesque surroundings had a hand in the upping the lunch experience. By that time, I’d had two glasses of local wine picked by Clara specially to complement the lunch, and I’d practically finished all the starters. The anchovies were wonderful and I swear I could still taste the sea on those freshly caught shrimps that were grilled in front of me.

THE BEST ARROZ IN CATALUNYA

Little did I know that the best part was yet to come. While I was busy tasting the best of Palamos, the best rice dish in the whole of Catalunya — at least that’s what I reckon after two huge platefuls — was being cooked by Jaume in the tiny galley kitchen next to me.

I had few expectations, actually, considering he had about half an hour to get his act together; and somewhere in those 30 minutes, he also managed to join Clara and I for a toast and dance to Sebastian Yatra’s song Tacones Rojos, one of my favorite pick-me-up songs and a 2021 pop hit in Spain.

Madre Mia, as they say in Spain. The arroz was amazing — whatever he put into it. When I asked him exactly what the magic was, he simply shrugged his shoulders and pointed to the sea. “Everything fresh from this morning,” he replied, “that’s probably the key.”

PERFECT SWEET ENDINGS

We lazed around a bit in the cove as it was a crime not to do so after such a good lunch. In fact, I almost fell asleep on some comfortable cushions, lulled by the gentle breeze and the mild sun, when Clara called me to have some dessert.

No, it was not a chocolate cake baked in the tiny kitchen galley while I was half awake. There were still some limits to Jaume;s cooking prowess in tight spaces. But actually what they prepared was better. Clara opened a brown paper bag and inside were warm and sugary bunuelos that were made by Palamos’ favorite baker that same morning. Simple and simply divine, both the dessert and the entire experience of sailing and lunching with locals off the coast of Catalunya.

And even now, I am still thinking of that incredible arroz. Even just for that, I must find a way to return to Catalunya soon.

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If you are seeking the most innovative of contemporary art, look no further than the new Moco Museum in Barcelona, an offshoot of the independently owned Moco Museum in Amsterdam. It’s a thought-provoking collection of cutting edge works and street art, along with a sampling of NFTs, with some pieces borrowed from the collections of other museums and art lovers.

WHEN ART & VISION MEET

Moco — a play on the words “modern” and “contemporary” — is the brainchild of Dutch art gallery owner Kim Logchies-Prins and her husband Lionel. They bravely opened the Barcelona outpost in spite of the difficulties experienced by Moco Amsterdam amidst the pandemic, when the latter almost had to cut back on staff due to dwindling visitor numbers.

FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE

Fortunately there was no such shortage of visitors at Moco Barcelona on the day I went, which was an autumn morning so fine that it felt more like summer. Ordinarily, such a day is too perfect for staying indoors, especially when the stylish cafes and the beach are just minutes away. But evidently, many people did prefer the stimulation of art to the other pleasures of life — and interestingly, a lot of them belonged to the Gen X and millennial crowd.

Everything about the museum is a genuine surprise. For one thing, it’s right next to the Picasso Museum, a more traditional Barcelona sightseeing hallmark, in the Ribera district of the Old Town. Talk about older establishment meeting younger and brazen establishment.

Unlike the glamorous Eixample neighborhoods, the Old Town is a hodge-podge of upscale and seedy co-existing creatively together in elegant mansions that once belonged to 18th and 19th century wealthy families. So in this sense, the museum fits right into this neither-here-nor-there district,

MAKING A GRAND ENTRANCE

The Moco Museum Barcelona itself is housed in the former home of the aristocratic Cervello family, whose heyday was in the 1850s. Thankfully, it seems the good old days have returned, as it’s almost certain that this mansion has not seen such a steady stream of enthusiastic visitors in over a century at least.

A giant bear sculpture greets everyone in the courtyard where once perhaps carriages awaited. It’s by the trendy American artist Kaws, a former Disney illustrator, which may explain his penchant for creating characters. Frequent travelers — myself included — have apparently had a similar reaction: “I’ve seen this at Doha Airport!”

KAWS IN BARCELONA

Indeed, a Kaws sculpture is the centerpiece of the massive airport transfer terminal at Doha. Unfortunately the Moco Museum did not have similar liberty with space. The installation team had to take apart more of the bear’s body parts than expected, to get the sculpture through the mansion entrance and set just right by the staircase in the open courtyard.

The museum has a mix of permanent artworks and temporary exhibits. There’s always something new so you definitely won’t get tired of visiting. I’m guessing the Kaws installation is a permanent one or someone is going to have a massive headache in a few months.

After the Kaws bear, the first artwork I saw upon entering the museum itself was to set the tone for the rest of the visit — even if the piece was not part of the permanent collection and merely on loan from British musician George Michael.

DAMIEN HIRST IN BARCELONA

It was a Damien Hirst installation from 2008, literally in the flesh. The heart of a bull with pigeon wings attached to it, covered in gold barbed wire with a large dagger stuck right into it. It spoke to me of pain, hurt and sacrifice; and also of freedom and hope. Never a fan of Hirst, who I always regarded as overpriced and overrated, I was suddenly engulfed with admiration for the imagination and for the unspeakable way in which he chose to shock art enthusiasts.

But most of my admiration is still reserved for Kim and Lionel, who dared to dream of a private museum and to curate it so well that — although less than one year old — the Moco Museum has already made it to the top of so many travelers’ Barcelona bucket list of things to do.

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To tell you the truth, The One Hotel in Barcelona seems like quite an ordinary building from the outside. It’s just one block away from the famous Paseig de Gracia boulevard, lined with 19th century modernist style mansions and the best of upscale retailers. It’s also minutes away from Casa Batlo and Casa Mila, two of Gaudi’s best known architectural masterpieces.

In contrast to the stylish exterior flair of its neighbors in the Eixample district, The One seems underwhelming at first sight with its plain facade — there are no colorful tiles or wrought iron balconies here — and streamlined entrance. In fact, a business contact who met me in the lobby to take me to dinner asked me the very same question I had asked myself upon arrival: “I know it’s a five star grand luxe hotel. But is it really nice?”

INNER BEAUTY IN A HOTEL

The answer is a definite yes. The One may be understated from the outside, but inside it is all comfort, good design and luxury. My corner junior suite was a haven of light and space, and most importantly, of good taste. I had to force myself to leave my room to go sightseeing because sitting in bed with a good book — there is a coffee table book on Barcelona on the night table — and a view of the city from four windows seemed like an excellent way to spend the day.

A LAYOUT TO TALK ABOUT

The layout of my suite made for a good conversation at dinner too. For a junior suite, the foyer is way more spacious than most, which is wonderful for luxury travelers who arrive with a lot of luggage. However, most interestingly, you open the door and the first thing you see is the vanity table and sink, which are separate from the shower room and the bathroom. It’s part of the foyer and a necessary visual as you walk into the living room area and bedroom.

In one sense, this is perfect and practical because the traveler on holiday does appreciate the extra space that is not usually available in other hotel bathrooms. So I personally liked the idea of it, especially as the sink area is aesthetically pleasing to the eye with gold fixtures, grey marble and a large mirror that further adds depth to the area.

ANATOMY OF A JUNIOR SUITE

Meanwhile, the living room area and bedroom area are among the best I have seen in Barcelona, for a junior suite. The design is all calm neutrals with a sense of airiness and light — it’s the kind of room everyone will like regardless of style preferences. Furthermore, as always, the devil is in the details — to use a cliche. It had two large flat screen televisions, a beautiful artwork as a headboard, and high tech but simple wiring for lights and curtains that didn’t need an hour to figure out.

The latter is more important than you think, too. In spite of practically living in hotel suites for most of the year, and therefore quite used to hotel room wirings and systems, I have still recently encountered rooms with way too many buttons and switches. I can confirm that it is extremely annoying to be ready to sleep and to be unable to turn off the in-room bar light or the mirror light.

BREAKFAST TO REMEMBER

Further brownie points for this hotel relate to breakfast, which again is quite unlike others. Food is served just off the lobby in a rather simple space as far as luxury hotels go. And there is no lavish breakfast buffet either. Instead, guests are seated in this restaurant — and also in the lobby when there is an overflow — and asked to order from a menu. You can order what you want and in any combination, and the menu is quite appetizing and creatively worded so that it’s tempting to order everything.

For every morning of my stay, I chose a typical pan con tomato made ever so perfectly as only Catalans can do. The bread is hollowed out and crusty on the outside, and topped with fresh slices of Jamon iberico, drizzled with olive oil. I did not expect a simple breakfast worthy of being called a feast, but this is exactly what it was. In fact, breakfast was so deliciously addictive that I ordered two heaping plates of these every morning — calories all but forgotten.

There were other items on the breakfast menu too. Standard breakfast fare like yoghurt, fruits, eggs and pastry baskets. However this pan con tomate stole my heart.

Speaking of my heart, I would stay here again in a heartbeat. In fact, we’re already booking some of our Travelife Magazine readers at The One Barcelona for a food trip to the Catalunya in the spring of 2023.

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In Catalunya recently as a guest of the Agència Catalana de Turisme / Catalan Tourist Board, I visited the Perelada Winery. This magnificent property took decades to plan and construct and it has just opened for visits this year. We drove for just over an hour out of Barcelona in the direction of France, into a region that is easily described as one of the loveliest in Spain.

WHAT MAKES A WINERY STAND OUT

Here, amidst grapes, a castle and a golf course, I found magic. This was not even a winery. This was a temple of architecture, of minimalist high tech design that uses recycled materials and blends with the earth and environment. It speaks — no, actually it whispers — of sustainability in every sense.

Great thought was put into making Perelada Winery a visual and environment-friendly legacy for generations of this visionary family. It was created as a feast for the eyes and also to minimize usage of energy and water.

The wines are quite formidable as well. Although the winery is new, the family company has actually been making wines for nearly 100 years.  Consider these a well-kept secret of Catalunya. Perelada wines may be little known outside of Spain, but European royalty have been drinking these for generations. In fact, these wines have been part of the dinner menus at the royal palace in Madrid since the late 1920s.

SEAMLESS ARCHITECTURE AT ITS BEST

As I walked through this vast underground cave, I was open-mouthed the entire time. The winery, which I imagine is almost always a beehive of activity, was beautiful, calming, and nurturing. And so aesthetically pleasing in an ultra modern but earthy way. In fact the manner in which this industrial structure and hacienda-style building blended with the greenery and the lands around it made me think of Frank Lloyd Wright, but circa 2022.

Created by RCR Architects, a firm that is quite reticent about standing out in spite of winning the Pritzker Prize in 2017, the inside is all about pure seamless design. In fact, the visitor is hardly made aware of where the exterior fades into the interior and vice versa. One minute you are walking around a pretty traditional looking hacienda estate, and then next you don’t know where you are.

The experience begins in a soothing darkness with a hint of dampness. With great marketing flair, a series of incredible videos appear as you navigate rooms that have been created so cleverly to feel like caves and tunnels. Each video features the magnificent nature around the Perelada wine properties along with explanations about the philosophy of the family.

THE PERELADA EXPERIENCE

You stand viewing each video while feeling that you have been taken out of your comfort zone. You are tempted to sit on the floor or lean on the wall as sounds and images dance around you in an intimate theater. By the time you have reached the last video experience, you are a fan. And at the end of the visit, you are ready to buy bottles of their wine without even tasting these, because you are almost sure that a family that has created such a superb winery must also be as adept at creating superb wines.

As I navigated my way through cork, wood, and earth, I tried to think of the last time I had seen a winery even close to this in design. It was beautiful and it felt so familiar. Then I realized where I last had this feeling. It was not in a winery. It was while walking into the spa of the equally gorgeous Park Hyatt Kyoto. 

If you must visit one winery in Catalunya, make it the Perelada Winery. I have never seen anything like it. As for the wines? They are wonderful, especially with food.

– written by Christine Cunanan, publisher and editor in chief of Travelife Magazine

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