The Best Trips in August: Traveler Reviews to Inspire You / Kimpton Vividora Barcelona in Spain / By Natasha Heard /  Publisher Luxurylifestylemag

Setting foot inside La Sagrada Família for the first time, with the afternoon light streaming through the red, orange and yellow stained glass windows, creating the most breath-taking display, I stopped in my tracks.

An older gentlemen walking inside next to me was clearly entering for the first time as well because he stood still with his hands over his mouth, tears in his eyes, clearly moved by the beauty of the scene we were sharing. It really is that stunning.

The famed basilica, planted in the centre of Barcelona, has gained ample recognition over the years as the cathedral that’s taken well over one hundred years to build.

In fact, just a day or so before I stood in front of Antoni Gaudí’s most notable work, the cross had been placed at the top, marking one of the final touches of the current works. That’s not to say this architectural masterpiece will ever be truly finished, of course, but there are some exciting celebrations happening across the city this year to celebrate the centennial of Gaudí’s death and the ‘completion’ of the basilica.

Meanwhile the city will come alive even further with the music event Primavera Sound occurring in the same month of the Pope’s visit in June.

The question to ask yourself is, where does one stay when taking in all of these upcoming celebrations? You’ll need somewhere with a central location, but also a place that provides a welcome escape in the midst of the bustling city, and it wouldn’t hurt if said spot had some fantastic features like a rooftop pool and restaurant, and balcony adorned suites, too.

The ultra chic Kimpton Vividora Barcelona – part of IHG Hotels and Resorts – ticks all of those boxes and more.

Hotel

The ground-floor coffee and cocktail bar promotes a sociable feel, which is a signature style of the Kimpton brand

Walking into the five-star hotel in the city’s Gothic Quarter, you’re immediately greeted with the ever-so stylish and welcoming cocktail bar and lounge – GOT. Passers-by could almost be forgiven for not knowing this is a hotel at all upon first impression as the reception is tucked up on the first floor.

It’s not to say arriving guests are overlooked though as whip smart staff are there to whisk your luggage away and get you settled in with ease.

I was surprised to learn there are a total of 151 rooms and suites across the building as it feels far more compact upon entry, and with its side-street location, you could almost miss the place entirely. The hotel is in such a fantastic location, every time I would return from exploring the city, I’d almost be surprised to find it here, its unassuming façade blending in with the surrounding buildings so subtly.

The ground-floor coffee and cocktail bar promotes a sociable feel, which is a signature style of the Kimpton brand. This is further encouraged with a social hour at 5pm every day where guests can mingle and enjoy a range of drinks as they chat about their days.

Upstairs, the reception is a well-lit space that makes use of the natural light from the double height windows of the façade – and it opens to a working space which you can expect to be a welcoming and stylishly decorated area, as per the rest of the hotel. Rich tones, stylish lighting features abound here, reflecting the artistic and stylish nature of the city beyond.

Rooms and suites

The beautifully decorated and well positioned suites sit on the sixth floor

I was lucky enough to be housed on the sixth floor, where the beautifully decorated and well positioned suites sit. Benefitting from lengthy terraces to soak up any sunshine with a glass of wine in hand or a morning coffee, you might just find it hard to tear yourself away from these comfort-inducing havens.

A stylish space with rich colours, wood floors, soft lighting and luxurious touches, I felt comfortable from the moment I entered, and the little touches like handwritten messages on the mirrors only served to reinforce this.

An open plan layout, the suite is long, encompassing three sets of windows, which include two sets of doors leading out to the terrace.

To one end you’ll find the bathroom area which includes a large dark blue tiled shower and toilet, both hidden behind doors, and a marble clad vanity area with large mirror and sink alongside a bathtub by the window to soak up that sun as you relax.

Suites at Kimpton Vividora offer beautiful design touches

A huge bed was centre stage and was backed by feature soft leather headboard while a cosy corner with statement burnt orange armchair and two side tables offered a welcoming place to sit with a coffee or aperitif, both of which were in easy reach thanks to a mini bar, with cocktail set, and a coffee machine nearby.

Once I’d settled in I wasted no time in pouring myself a glass of red wine, grabbing my plate of Ibérico ham and bread and planting myself outside on the terrace to soak up the sun and the views of the nearby Barcelona Cathedral from my sixth-floor position. It wasn’t yet lunchtime, but I’d been travelling since the very early hours, the sun was shining and I was on holiday time!

Food and drink

La Fauna is the space where guests can enjoy lazy a la carte breakfasts, long lunches and dinners that are sure to impress

With so many great places to eat across Barcelona – from tiny tapas bars tucked away on side streets to Michelin-awarded hot spots that serve the finest offerings from the locale – it’ll be difficult to decide where to eat, but sometimes a great hotel has already made that decision for you.

Kimpton Vividora offers up two rather impressive dining spaces – Fauna Restaurant and Terraza de Vivi – for you to dine at from morning to night, with a range of experiences to choose from such as brunch on the terrace or a tasting menu at Fauna to indulge in.

La Fauna is the space where guests can enjoy lazy a la carte breakfasts, long lunches and dinners that are sure to impress, created by Catalan chef Jordi Delfa. The fantastic menus are full of delicious, traditional dishes prepared with seasonal food that not only look great, but taste fantastic too.

What’s more, the meals are all served up in a comfortable, welcoming setting – think decoratively tiled floors, stylish seating, and natural elements like brown marble-topped tables and wood and glass dividers.

Parellada rice with baby squid, cuttlefish and red prawns was a rich and delicious dish

For breakfast you can choose from items on the sprawling buffet – the usual continental items like cheese and meats are included along with Cava – or pick something from the menu, which includes pancakes, crepes, eggs in varying ways, congee and noodles.

The set lunch menu includes a starter, main and dessert with a drink and you choose dishes such as fusilli with pumpkin and pinenut pesto, salt cod pil-pil with yuca chips or pork ribs glazed with honey and mustard followed by a fresh cream flan.

My dinner here was enjoyed with a group, so we were brought out selection of dishes to share, which was a fantastic way to try an array of plates. I happily devoured my portions of the cheese plate; mini foie gras mi-cuit sandwich with sweet apple tatin and fig jam; salt cod fritters with honey and lime; steak tartar; Parellada rice with baby squid, cuttlefish and red prawns, and more.

Terraza de Vivi is the perfect spot to enjoy an al fresco brunch or dinner

Terraza de Vivi is the perfect spot to enjoy an al fresco brunch or dinner with sweeping city views from its rooftop position. Whether you’re taking a dip in the rooftop pool then swinging by for some food and a tipple or you’re heading here for a dedicated meal, you’ll be well catered to.

I enjoyed some lovely dishes from the brunch menu after a fruit bowl to start. Choose from ‘the fresh and healthy side’ with dishes like a smoky grilled pak choi; salmon and tuna poké bowl or energizing acai to tempt or go all out with ‘the indulgence corner’ with a benedict, waffles, pancakes or omelettes. Pair with free flowing mimosas, or a coffee or tea if it’s still a little too early for you. My choice of poké bowl followed by sweet waffles was delicious.

Dinner here offers a lovely way to unwind with great views and cool down as the sun sets.

Local dry cured hams, tomato rubbed crispy breads, seafood filled brioches, soft tacos, and a chunky chocolate brownie were all happily devoured by myself and my fellow guests.

Spa and wellness

Be sure to head to the rooftop for great views as you recline on a lounger or enjoy laps in the pool

If you feel like you haven’t got your steps in discovering this beautiful city on foot, you can head to the hotel’s compact gym where you’ll find a good selection of weights, yoga mats, and machines like a ski erg and rowing machine to exert yourself with. Alternatively, head up to the rooftop to take turns reclining with a fantastic panoramic view with a drink in hand and doing laps of the pool.

And when the need for a soothing massage calls – if you’ve been busy exploring the city or the travelling has taken it out of you – be sure to book yourself in and head to the wellness room to soothe those tired muscles.

Though there’s only one treatment room for the hotel, it is big enough for a couple’s treatment and there are rumours of an upcoming upgrade to add a small spa here.

In the meantime you’ll have to ‘make do’ with a treatment with the resident spa therapist. The perfect way to take a break from the busyness of this fascinating city, I couldn’t wait to soothe my aching muscles with a massage and enjoyed every minute of my treatment.

A local, organic, vegan brand, Scens, is used for treatments, which smells amazing and I came away feeling so incredibly relaxed afterwards, which is the perfect outcome if you ask me!

Numerous architects and artisans have had a hand at putting some of their work into La Sagrada Familia

Anyone who has visited this city before will know just how much culture there is to soak up, and with the hotel being in such a central position, be sure to gather any information you’ll need from the concierge and head out on foot or on one of the complimentary bikes to explore the surrounds.

You could take in the local shops and architecture, stop off at a local bar for some tapas and drinks, check out some of the art from famed artists like Picasso, or take yourself on a walking tour of Gaudí’s most noted works. Casa Mila and Casa Batllo are some fantastic examples of his unique style on show and what’s great is that you can literally walk down the street and they are ready and waiting for you to admire, no ticket needed.

The same goes for La Sagrada Família – you don’t need to buy a ticket and explore inside if you don’t want to – there’s plenty of the exterior to admire, and that’s exactly what I did on my first visit to the city a few years ago, but this time around I was excited to get a little closer, learn a bit more of the building and the innovative architect I admire, and go inside.

Before you even set foot inside, you can learn so much about the impressive structure, the architects that have had their hand at creating this masterpiece and, of course, the main man himself – Gaudí.

The Catalan architect shunned typical architectural styles instead favouring curved edges and taking his inspiration from nature to craft his own unique and coveted style. His innovative way of thinking meant that this cathedral could be built with ‘curtain walls’ made mostly of glass, leaving the structure to be supported by 18 central towers.

The structure is formed with catenary arches and which blend into conical, double twist columns, which means that less material is needed for each column resulting in more space inside the church. It really is a clever piece of design and engineering on top of it being such a beautiful sight.

Numerous architects and artisans have had a hand at putting some of their work into this cathedral – I particularly enjoyed studying the work around the entrances, while the stained glass windows covering every wall create a magical glow as the light filters through at different times of the day.

At Cava de Codorníu, 500 years of traditions have been perfected to create some remarkably tasty tipples

Of course there is much more to do besides admiring the architecture of the city, and I thoroughly enjoy a trip out of the city and into the centre of Cava at Sant Sadurní d’Anoia.

There are 69 wineries in this area (which is also known for its chocolate producers) and I enjoyed learning all about Spain’s sparkling wine at the oldest wine and cava producer in Spain – Cava de Codorníu, where 500 years of traditions have been perfected to create some remarkably tasty tipples.

Our group explored the museums and walked down the steps some 20 metres below ground to see the cellars and learn of how it was produced in previous years, before hopping on board a little land train to further explore the huge subterranean space.

Three local grapes are used to create their cava, in addition to French grapes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which is crafted using the same method as champagne production – fermented in bottle – but with a different name to reflect its cave origins.

After this, we headed back up (in a lift) and wandered the beautiful grounds in the sunshine before heading in to try a selection of three of the wineries’ finest offerings. All in all, it was a great way to spend a Wednesday morning.

In a nutshell

The epitome of a chic hotel, Kimpton Vividora Barcelona sets the scene expertly for your stylish city stay.

You don’t really need to leave the elegant spot, but equally you’re so well placed to explore from its central position, and there’s so very much to see and experience in Barcelona that I recommend you book a few extra days, so you can hang around by the pool or luxuriate in your suite a little longer without feeling like you’re missing out.

Factbox

Rooms start at approx. €285 per night.

Address: Carrer del Duc 15, Barcelona, Spain 08002
Tel:+34 936 425 400
Email: reservations@kimptonvividorahotel.com
Website: kimptonvividorahotel.com
Instagram: @kimptonvividora

See snippets of my travels on Instagram @tashheard_food_travel

Imagery provided by Kimpton Vividora