MEETING…PATRICIA URQUIOLA
ABOVE (LEFT): The Moments restaurant is run by Michelin-starred chef Carme Ruscadella (TOP RIGHT) The Bankers
Bar features Canasta armchairs and Fat Fat side tables designed by Urquiola for B&B Italia (RIGHT) The Terrat
rooftop terrace offers stunning views across Barcelona and a dipping pool for guests only
Ruscalleda’s son, Raül Balam, running the Situated in the bank’s former vault,
operation. While Blanc feels contemporary underneath the hotel, the 1,000m
2
spa is
and feminine, there is an injection of gold clearly one of Urquiola’s favourite places. She
and amber hues in Moments that lends explains: “We moved away from the hyper
depth to the room. A local craftsman has white to create a sensuous experience that
been employed to handcraft the false inset could almost represent a signature for the
ceilings with gold leaf painted in a motif to brand.” This is a bold assertion considering
reflect the pattern of the carpet. White resin that Mandarin Oriental is renowned for
flooring is contrasted with carpeting and its spas in Asia but the Barcelona facility
elegant furniture from Moroso with lighting does indeed have an embracing, cocooning
by Foscarini and Flos. ambience. Dark wood detailing, black ceilings,
For the Banker’s Bar, Urquiola has taken white floors and granite stone may on paper
“I knew there
the concept of a gentlemen’s club and given equate to an overly minimalist aesthetic but in
had to be a
it her own unique twist, selecting weighty combination with a sexy lighting programme,
Canasta armchairs and Fat-Fat side tables as devised by consultants Isometrix, who also continuity of
from B&B Italia, as well as leather sofas from planned lighting for the rest of the property, it
Moroso. Ingeniously the fronts of original works. Other standout features include a large
design flowing
steel safety boxes from the former bank have malachite screen sectioning off the communal
through the
been recycled, serving as textured ceiling and hammam and black metallic chain curtains
wall coverings with three backlit display cases leading to the eight treatment rooms, which spaces but I also
showcasing a Macallan Scotch whisky, Grey have been manufactured by a local Catalan
Goose Vodka and Cristal Champagne. The company more accustomed to supplying
wanted there
high central bar acts as a focal point with its butchers.
to be a sense of
contrast of black Corian and gold-coloured Of course, an excellent spa and superlative
anodised aluminium. dining are what discerning travellers have memory here.”
036 MARCH / APRIL 2010 WWW.SLEEPERMAGAZINE.COM
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156  |  Page 157  |  Page 158  |  Page 159  |  Page 160  |  Page 161  |  Page 162  |  Page 163  |  Page 164