Checking in to Pulitzer Barcelona

Barcelona is unquestionably a bucket-list city and the sheer volume of tourists around every Gaudi-esque corner is testament to this – so finding myself only steps away from Plaça de Catalunya, yet being able to step through a discreet Pulitzer Barcelona doorway into what felt ‘ben barceloní,’ made me feel like I was a wheelie-suitcase ahead of the pack.

Designed by the Barcelona-based Lázaro Rosa-Violán, the hotel interiors are an eclectic mix of the Art Deco influences of the district with a strong contemporary boutique thread that runs through the whole property. This curated approach from the Rosa-Violan studio is present right from the reception desk – which I was told, was crafted from some panels salvaged from a Sicilian church – through to the bespoke tiles on the roof top terrace.

Image credit: Pulitzer Barcelona

Moving into the lounge, discreet corners with comfortable sofas and cascading plants beckoned me to slump into the cushions and enjoy a quick café cortado while waiting to be shown to my room. There was a quiet buzz to the space, punctuated only by the periodic rattle of ice from the bar, a few key tapping laptops, along with a dose of discreet conversation – it did feel like a space for local networking, as much as a place for a cool cocktail or two.

The cocktail bar with its bold Art Deco arches, is the hero of the ground floor design, alongside the interior courtyard that draws you in and immediately gives off a sense of calm away from the busy streets only metres away. The redesign was all about highlighting the interior patio, transforming it into a true urban oasis, which is connected to the interior through vegetation and architectural elements, removing the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Adequately caffeinated I stepped into the lift, which gives a great view of the public spaces as you move up through the building. The guestrooms follow the city boutique hotel vernacular, being bijoux but perfectly formed – the design has a personal touch, with not a trace of cookie-cutter roll-out to be seen. Decorative elements add an interesting play of scale, challenging the space and immediately making it feel bigger. Despite the compact floor plan, a seating area with organically shaped sofas again shift the space, adding a sense of comfort and generosity. Each guestroom has been given a unique colour accent, setting it apart and adding that designer ‘no sé qué ‘ element to the property.

Image credit: Pulitzer Barcelona

The bold turquoise bathroom added a wonderful blast of colour in contrast to the more modulated bedroom palette – but unquestionably, for me the best part was being able to throw open those bedroom doors onto the perfect Art Deco city balcony, and feel like I was living my best Barcelona life!

Bedroom and bathroom admired, suitcase strewn in a corner, it was time to get back in that lift and continue the journey upwards to the rooftop La Terraza. Listed as one of the top 20 in the world, how could I not!?

I couldn’t have timed my arrival at The Pulitzer Barcelona any better – Sundays are vermut and very cool DJ on La Terraza day. Drink in hand and tapas on the table, I spent the afternoon sipping, tasting and tapping my toes in the Spanish sunshine –  according to a local travel guide: “to drink vermouth at the right time in the right place is to join the locals in an extremely enjoyable ritual” – I think they may be right!

Image credit: Pulitzer Barcelona

The courtyard garden downstairs and the rooftop garden on the terrace are two clear bookend elements of the design that define the Pulitzer story – the terrace, the hotel’s central social point, is all about merging interior design and nature. The natural tones of the wooden furniture, the lush vegetation that breaks the sunshine into dappled light, all complemented by a choice of textured textiles in green and black, a nod to the brand’s colours as well as the bold biophilic surroundings.

A local touch that is worth paying attention to, is the ceramic mural designed by the creative design team of LRV – it is a bespoke and personal piece that pays homage to Barcelona and anchors the terrace in its cultural identity.

Back in tourist-mode and harking back to my youth as a History of Art student, I could not be in Barcelona without making the pilgrimage to  Sagrada Familia – in this case forewarned about the crowds was most definitely forearmed, and the hotel staff at that well-designed reception desk I mentioned earlier, helped me book my ticket in advance – not only is that recommended, it is actually essential if you want to get a foot in the impressive gothic doorway and be entranced by Gaudis vision and the architects that have continued the work on his incredible legacy.

Having spent time following the flag of my tour guide in this architectural wonder, it was with some relief that I returned to the hotel to regroup and take time to breathe in its biophilic charm.

Image credit: Pulitzer Barcelona

The hotel’s Greenhouse restaurant, is housed in a space that was once an actual greenhouse, allowing it to be flooded with natural light, and again blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces in this city centre location. Words like urban oasis have become a little travel-weary, but this boutique hotel in the heart of Barcelona does deliver that in both a very literal sense, with all the beautiful planting running through the property, to the more subtle notes of story telling immersed in the details and expressed through both the design, and the menus.

Elements of both location and storytelling are key to this design and brand narrative. Stepping up the storytelling element, the strap ‘create your own story‘ is woven through the stay, from a thoughtfully placed notebook (along with a signature fragrance), in the bedroom, to an invitation to participate in its first Pulitzer Short Story Contest, “as a way of celebrating imagination, creativity, and the countless stories that find their beginning with us”.

I was tempted…

Main image credit: Pulitzer Barcelona / Alba Gine / Salva Lopez