Wednesday, May 30, 2018

El Palace Hotel in Barcelona: The Fabled Ritz





Opened in 1919, the El Palace Hotel Barcelona is one of the oldest hotels in the city, reminiscent of the palaces of the 1930s, when grand hotels known for their hospitality, luxury and service reigned supreme. Centrally located near the Gothic Quarter, Las Ramblas, Paseo de Gracia and famous landmarks such as the Picasso Museum and the Sagrada Familia, the El Palace Hotel has witnessed much of the modern history of Barcelona and Spain. Once the royal dwelling of King Alfonso XIII of Spain and King Emmanuel III of Italy, it is still known by Barcelonians as the fabled Ritz. Characterized by it’s neo-classical façade and grand public areas, this Belle Époque gem recently completed an impressive two year €20 million restoration while still retaining its original charm and timeless elegance, from marble colonnades, ornate moldings, richly upholstered drapery, tufted sofas, crystal chandeliers to its gilded ceilings, handsome étagères and impressive Old World service. Opulent public rooms include the stunning lobby lounge, bright Parisian-style Brasserie serving extravagant buffet breakfasts, elegant Restaurant L'Éclair for tapas and afternoon tea, Mayan-themed Spa and the legendary Bluesman Cocktail Bar for smart cocktails and a stellar lineup of celebrated jazz and blues bands. The hotel’s elegantly appointed rooms and suites are all sumptuously decorated, including the famous Salvador Dali Suite where the painter and his wife Gala once lived for a while. The beautiful rooftop Winter Garden Restaurant showcases Chef Marc Mallasén's haute Andalusian cuisine and overlooks the lovely outdoor summer swimming pool and Pergola Ciutadella herb garden added in 2016, with magnificent panoramic views over all of Barcelona.




The Old World luxury of the El Palace’s stunning lobby lounge

Richly upholstered drapery, tufted sofas, crystal chandeliers and gilded antiques add to the timeless elegance of this Belle Epoque gem

The Parisian-style Brasserie-inspired Breakfast Garden with black and white chequerboard tiles and oversized wrought iron lighting serves extravagant buffet breakfasts

Freshly baked breads and croissant to fruit smoothies, custom omelettes and steaming cappuccinos make breakfast a sumptuous start to every morning

Chef Marc Mallasén

Éclair Citron et Framboise with Ivorian chocolate, strawberry, cream of lemon and meringue

El Palace's rooftop terrace Wintergarden Restaurant

The tranquil rooftop pool with spectacular views over Barcelona

Rooftop telescope for viewing Barcelona's iconic sites

An urban oasis during the summer season, The Winter Garden opens its doors with candlelight dining overlooking the rooftop swimming pool

Decorated in the finest of inviting hardwoods, the Bluesman Cocktail Bar is the only place in Barcelona where you can enjoy a cocktail while listening to jazz or blues

Refurbished by interior designer Jaime Beriestain in 2009, the Bluesman Bar is without doubt one of the most spectacular spaces in the city

Ronnie Woods of the Rolling Stones, who lives part of the year in Barcelona, is one of the backers of the Bluesman Cocktail Bar and often performs here


















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