Set apart and towering above the rest of the hotels in downtown Barcelona, the architecturally striking Hotel Arts is the upshot of acute competition that has pushed hotel innovation here to new heights. From the voluminous lobby the hotel’s immediate vibe stands for endless cool in all its senses. The sleek interior displaying modern sculptures and art becomes the perfect antidote to the intense tempo of the vibrant city. The design in calming pebble-tones is streamlined with ‘un- Gaudi’ restraint, exuding nonetheless the artist’s Hispanic flair.
Elevated above the city my room was a generous retreat with touch-pad technology, an expansive bed and geometric furnishings placed with graphic precision. The extravagant double bathroom, hydro- shower and dressing area created a spa-like ‘chill-out’ zone. Electronic blinds revealed a panorama of the sparkling Mediterranean and the hotel’s unique beachside location, with the prospect of an ocean-dip before breakfast.
Intriguing dining options are many for one short stay, either in leafy settings ‘alfresco’ or at the chic and ultra-pristine venues offering inspired interpretations of local gastronomy. The cocktail bar is solely cocooned in a plush and dusky fusion of traditional upholstery and contemporary accents. A tranquil spa suspended high with airy platform terraces and incorporating a glazed sauna, provides stunning vistas of both the city and the sea, and in a hotel that is all about ‘outlook’ proves to be the ideal vantage point for a spectacular sunset.