This autumn, Barcelona opens its doors to French art with the inauguration of the first Sofitel hotel in Spain. A connection between Catalan culture, cosmopolitan airs, and the Gallic art of living. A welcome to southern Europe that pays homage to the richness of diversity. Inviting travelers and locals to enjoy La Vida Chic within a space where recycling and sustainability are paramount.
The Catalan capital has been the perfect location to present the luxurious Sofitel Barcelona Skipper, situated between Parc de la Ciutadella and Barceloneta, boasting magnificent views of the Mediterranean.
The French essence can be found in various points and elements of the hotel. For example, one of its pools delicately recreates the walls of the elegant Louvre.
Thanks to the architecture studio Factoria Uda, the interior of the building coexists between French elegance and sophistication and the characteristic blue of the Barcelona sea. A connection between the two lands reflected in the bathrooms, combining black and white, as well as the Panots on the bed headboards. Gaudí’s famous hexagons that adorn the Passeig de Gràcia.
The walls of its interior remind travelers that they are in the heart of the Catalan capital. Surrounded by primordial and historic buildings such as La Sagrada Familia or La Pedrera.
Furthermore, Catalan artists Ya ya Tur and Mario Ruiz have transformed the rooms into art galleries. In each of the rooms, pieces created with recycled elements can be found. As well as the outdoor spaces, delimited by planters created by artisans from Bisbal del Empordà. Reflecting to visitors the exquisiteness found in local art, without the need to search beyond our borders.
Touches of blue adorn the rooms alongside pure white. At the top of the room are Gaudí’s three hexagons.
The bathrooms are dressed in black and white, with large mirrors. A decoration that leads visitors to approach the elegance of France within Catalan lands.
Year after year, we continue to progress to create a healthier and more tolerant society. And luxury brands are the first to promote sustainability and equality. Maud Bailly, CEO of the Accor Group, declares this, promoting the reduction of lighting consumption and the position of women within the management team.
For me, this 5-star hotel is the syncretism of Parisian and Barcelona cultures due to its design, service culture, and gastronomic experience. The hotel also demonstrates how we can achieve luxury services by operating sustainably. Offering, for example, a gastronomic experience with 100% local products in its 3 restaurants. 82 solar panels or promoting diversity with 60% of the hotel’s management team led by women.
For a more sustainable and closer world.
Sofitel Barcelona Skipper is firmly committed to social welfare. The building features automatic temperature and air conditioning controls, as well as 82 solar panels that supply energy to the entire hotel. As for the vertical garden on the facade, the irrigation system is programmed to avoid unnecessary water waste. In addition, the pools have a saline electrolysis system to avoid the use of chlorine. On the other hand, we find the elimination of single-use plastics, the incorporation of new responsible dry amenities (plastic-free), and dispensers from the Diptyque brand are another contribution to achieving maximum Zero Waste. The use of glass bottling, as well as collaboration with Complot Estrella Damm from Barcelona, who allocate part of their profits to sea care projects.
The pools touching that Mediterranean sky, while visitors rest, repeating to themselves that the sky is the limit.
These initiatives reflect the need to continue taking care of our environment. Helping each other, because that way we all win. Also, they always keep in mind supporting the cultural, artistic, and gastronomic roots of the area. Betting on the highest quality without having to look too far, as we find it around us. The menu is full of fresh fish from the Boqueria market, Catalan sausages from Castellterçol, or cheeses from Puigcerdà.
In the corridors of Sofitel reside art created exclusively for the hotel, just as it is found in the different rooms.
The gastronomy of chef David Andrés: tapas with 100% locally sourced products.
Catalan chef David Andrés, awarded with a Michelin star, signs the menu of the hotel’s main restaurant, Tendiez. The young chef has great experience, influenced by top restaurants like ABaC, where he was head chef under Jordi Cruz’s leadership.
Tendiez restaurant is one of the two found in the building. The blue colors alongside wood convey calm and elegance.
For this new menu, he has designed tapas such as Escalivada de Tomates Pasificados or Croquetas de Calçots with Romesco Sauce. High-level gastronomy based on Catalan flavors. And to combat food waste, the hotel has a program that controls the quantities to be used daily. Donating dishes every Friday to local associations like Rottary.
Images provided by Sofitel.
