Mandarin Oriental Barcelona
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n my arrival at the chic Mandarin Oriental Barcelona, proudly celebrating its first birthday this December, I am again reminded that deluxe understatement
can be more powerful than overt glitz and glam. Housed in an austere former bank, transformed into a welcoming city escape by celebrated designer Patricia Urquiola, the hotel demonstrates a unique sense of place in modern day Barcelona, home of Catalan modernist Antoni Gaudi. Leaving behind the bustle of the city, I glide up the thickly carpeted ‘floating catwalk’ to the hotel’s entrance, stopping en route to admire the minimalist white facade of the building. It is bathed in light, broken only by a vivid slash of plum silk that drops a full eight storeys from the roof. Ending precisely at eye level outside the lobby entrance and embellished with the Mandarin’s iconic gold fan, the fabric confirms that precision and detail are the things that set Mandarin Oriental apart.
Spa ambassador
As the glass doors slide open to reveal a calm, contemporary interior, I already feel a world away from crowded Passeig de Gràcia behind me. Elegant design, impeccable service and a raft of deluxe spa services are just some of the attributes to have gained the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group its global reputation. The golden fan has come to symbolise aspirational spa standards and is an integral pillar of the brand offer. Under the watchful eye of MOHG’s Global Spa Director Andrew Gibson, whose passion for spa innovation is matched only by his capacity to clock up more air miles than should be humanly possible, the group’s 21 spa properties worldwide are thriving despite the crisis. With an ever-growing portfolio, Gibson’s unrelenting quest is to ensure that this luxurious stable continues to push the envelope. He commitment to sharing knowledge and raising standards extends to numerous public speaking engagements at industry events
www.europeanspamagazine.com | european spa Mandarin Oriental w
Hotel Group International hotel investment and management group Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group boasts an award-winning portfolio of deluxe and first class hotels, resorts and residences in sought-after destinations around the world. The Group now operates, or has under development, 42 hotels representing over 10,000 rooms in 27 countries, with 18 hotels in Asia, 12 in the Americas and 12 in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. In addition, the Group operates, or has under development, 13 Residences at Mandarin Oriental. The Group has equity interests in many of its properties and net assets of approximately $2.1 billion as at 30 June 2010.
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