Barcelona has always been on my hit list of places to visit, everyone has always spoken so highly of the city so when I found out the Soho House group now owned a property, there were no excuses not to visit especially as the flight is under 2 hours.
One of many things that I love about the Soho House Group is their ability to make you feel at home. The décor and interior celebrate the heritage of the building and city with the ‘Je ne Sais Quoi’ Soho House touch.
We arrived in the morning so naturally the room wasn’t ready however they held our bags and were more than helpful for places to go and see. The staff are always there to assist no matter how big or small. Having a team that are passionate about the house really makes a different and adds to the ethos of being a home away from home.
The first thing I needed was a glass of bubbles on the roof! The Rooftop did not disappoint and the views of the city were amazing. At the front of the building is the pool overlooking the harbour with the bar, lounge area and restaurant round the sides. If it’s just a few tapas plates or something from the grill, you absolutely must eat there. The atmosphere and vibe is laidback yet exciting and the food compliments this completely.
After lunch, our room was ready and those who saw my Instagram will know just how excited I was! The bathroom was filled with cowshed products and essentials with walk-in rainforest shower. The room categories, like The Ned in London, are names Tiny Room, Small Room and Medium Room with different options of balcony views. We were staying in the Small Room overlooking Plaça del Duc de Medinaceli. The King-Sized bed had fresh Egyptian Cotton sheets and a cosy blanket, perfect for snuggling into while watching anything in the complimentary movie library on the large flat screen TV, oh and not forgetting the homemade cookies and state of the art coffee machine.
After having a little explore, I was already planning ideas for a potential conference trip in my head. If like me, you are fed up of the boring conference rooms, left of the reception is an event space called La Mercè Room. This is a beautiful creative space. The space includes a bar, magnificent art work, a lounge area and projector for presentations. For conference meetings, the room is very flexible, so most setups can be accommodated. This is also a wonderful place for private dining, drinks party, fashion events or even photoshoots.
Another area for PA’s looking for a company events, is the beautiful onsite cinema room which can hold 36 people as well as space for guests using a wheelchair. Next door is their speakeasy style cocktail bar, the Green Room, which is great to use for a break out area before and after the cinema. Drinks and food can be served in the cinema, always handy to have the cocktail waiter nearby in life!
No Soho House property would be complete without the stunning Cowshed Spa. Situated on the Lower Ground Floor. It is not unheard of for hotel guests to have a mini siesta by the spa pool, the stunning warm terracotta ceiling and spanish lounge beds give a tranquil setting perfect to unwind and shut off. I booked myself an appointment for reflexology, which is the same treatment I had at Babington House. It was incredibly good and very much needed for this busy little PA!
I was lucky enough to also try out and dine at Cecconi’s restaurant which is onsite. Coming from an Italian background with a whole family of chefs, I can be very picky with my Italian food. If it’s not up to my Zia Carmela’s standards, then it’s not real Italian. Cecconi’s was spectacular! (Sorry Zia) The whole team were friendly and very helpful as I wanted to eat everything! And yes, I am one of those people that looks around the room at everyone’s tables to see what it looks like!
For starters, we decided on a very Sardinian dish Seppioline (cuttlefish) with fregola which is a little semolina pasta as well as Burrata and beetroot salad which was mouth-watering and the Vitello (Veal) tonnato with Caper berries. For mains, we had the Turbot which was cooked to perfection and my boyfriend had the Chicken Pailard, all amazing. I did get jealous of a Lobster Spaghetti that went past me. The smells coming from the open kitchen were magical, I am a huge fan of open kitchens as you can see the passion and flavours that form every dish.
At this point we were very full but were convinced but our waiter that we couldn’t leave without trying the signature dessert dish which was the Profiteroles with pistachio gelato and chocolate sauce which is pours in front of you. I’m so glad I tried it. I might just go back to Barcelona just for that meal!
Barcelona is a must go to city, not only do they have a fantastic football team, as my boyfriend tells me but the art world is very much alive. The museums and history of art is one of the best with beautiful architecture, mostly from the famous Gaudi. The location of Soho House Barcelona is more than perfect and overlooks the Harbour in the Gothic Quarter. Just a short walk away, approx. 10 minutes, you have the Museum of the History of Barcelona as well as the Picasso Museum. Only a few minutes’ walk on the other side, is a bus stop for the hop on- hop off bus tour which we did and loved! Fantastic way to get to know the different areas of Barcelona. The beach and beach clubs are only a short taxi away to which the team at Soho House can help you decide on.
It is definitely a city that I will be returning to again and again!
Jess M x
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