Review: Almanac Barcelona, Spain

3 years ago

Sleek five-star opulence in the heart of the city centre

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Check in for a glamorous rooftop bar, plant-based restaurant and plush suites close to the city’s best shopping, cultural hotspots and major sights. Siobhan Grogan tells us what to expect from Almanac Barcelona.

Review: Almanac Barcelona, Spain

STAY

Locations don’t get much better than the Almanac Barcelona’s prime spot off swanky shopping street Passeig de Gracia in the Eixample neighbourhood. Restaurants and museums are right on the doorstep, while the famous Las Ramblas and Barcelona’s beautiful old town are just five minutes’ walk away. There’s even a metro station steps from the hotel’s entrance if you want to head to the beach, Montjuic’s cable car or La Sagrada Familia.

Inside, the Almanac Barcelona has wow factor in spades, with gleaming golden pillars, a polished marble floor, elegant Art Deco stylings and artfully curated book shelves in a gorgeously glossy lobby. The 61 rooms and 30 suites are just as welcoming, with cube-shaped bay windows, Juliet balconies or private terraces for people-watching on the streets below. Modern but seriously luxe, rooms are decorated in muted shades of taupe and grey with dark wood and brass accents, sculptural armchairs and swish marble bathrooms with enormous walk-in rainfall showers and amenities designed especially by master perfumer Jimmy Boyd.

The rooms’ technology takes some beating too. Each one comes with its own smartphone guests can use anywhere in the city to control their room’s light and heating, make free local and international calls and connect directly to the concierge for directions, restaurant recommendations or to ask any other questions.

DO

After a day shopping ‘til you drop, the rooftop of the Almanac Barcelona is the only place to be. Built across two levels and shaded by plants, there are cosy private areas for sipping cocktails, a small pool to cool off high above the city, fire pits for chilly evenings and a hip soundtrack to nudge day drinks into a night time party. Get there for sunset and grab a seat on the glass-wrapped terrace to sample locally made Cava with a panoramic view across Barcelona to the looming La Sagrada Familia and the Tibidabo mountain beyond.

EAT

The hotel’s oh-so-chic Virens restaurant is the hippest new spot in Barcelona, all geometric patterns, sleek marble walls, midnight blue velvet booths and a lustrous gold ridged cocktail bar. It’s helmed by acclaimed Michelin-starred head chef Rodrigo de la Calle, who previously worked as a gastronomic consultant for French chef Joel Robuchon.

Though some organic meat and fish dishes are available, healthy plant-based food is the priority with vegetables as the surprisingly tasty stars of the show. Sample a selection by plumping for the tasting menu or choose a la carte dishes such as vegan tacos, beetroot tartare with truffle cream and tatin of caramelized tender leeks and winter flowers. Save room for deftly creative desserts with a hidden healthy twist too including Jerusalem artichoke tiramisu with roasted barley powder, pumpkin Catalan crème brulee with vanilla and ginger or a platter of vegan cheese with goji kombucha.

Final Word

With its fashionable restaurant, dazzling décor and 24/7 service at the touch of a button, the Almanac Barcelona is the ideal base for a glamorous city break. We’d check in for the spectacular view from the rooftop bar alone.