El Palauet: general information
MAY 2011
facts:
Hotel EL PALAUET LIVING BARCELONA (Catalonia), Spain
Located on Barcelona’s most fashionable avenue at Passeig de Gràcia 113, this five-story palatial mansion, built in 1906, is an extraordinary example of Modernisme (the sumptuous Catalan version of Art Nouveau). The architect, Pere Falqués, is also known for his ornate lampposts jutting from ceramic tile benches that are sidewalk landmarks. He was a contemporary of Antoni Gaudí whose acclaimed buildings are nearby.
The facade of El Palauet reflects the great prosperity, creative genius, and unbridled imagination of the era.
- “Palauet” in the Catalan language is a small palau or palace.
- It is located just north of the intersection of Passeig de Gràcia and a main artery called Avenguida Diagonal, where the Passeig de Gràcia narrows into a charming tree-lined street divided by a parkway median with gardens and sculptures.
– Among Gaudi’s iconic modernista buildings, Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera, is just three blocks south. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_Mil%C3%A0 This and six other Gaudi architectural masterpieces are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
=SUITES=
Six two-bedroom, two-bath apartment-style suites, extremely spacious (1,615 square feet), accommodate up to four guests. Similar in layout, the suites feature a fully-equipped kitchen, dining room, living room, stellar contemporary furnishings, and state-of-the-art technology throughout.
There are two suites to a floor. Each has its private entrance off a common foyer near the elevator.
The Passeig de Gràcia Suites have a balcony and face east overlooking the tree-lined avenue. On the opposite side of the building, the Tibidabo Suites have a small private terrace and face west overlooking the Pompeya Monastery across the streat and, in the distance, the top of Tibidabo Mountain.
Bathrooms feature spacious closets and shelving, shower with enormous rainfall showerheads plus hand-held fixture, a futuristic automatic toilet-bidet, and an automatic safe. An additional features has a large bathtub and soothing chromotherapy lighting with alternating colors.
High-technology: touch screens control ambient lighting, temperature, music selection (from El Palauet Living Barcelona’s own music library), sound level, and automated curtains. High-definition TVs with home cinema and DVD player. (Additional TV in each bedroom.)
Internet: high-speed wi-fi in all rooms, COMPLIMENTARY.
Toiletries: include a selection of complimentary natural-ingredient http://bit.ly/Giura-brand products produced in Calonge on Catalonia’s Costa Brava.
Designer furniture: Masterful interior decor features contemporary pieces by an array of award-winning designers: Charles and Ray Eames, Ero Saarinen, Warren Platner, Arne Jacobsen, Mies Van der Rohe, Philippe Starck, and Antonio Citterio (“less is more”) whose modernsleek works are in the permanent collection of MoMA New York.
Space-age Corian seamless surfaces have embedded illuminated decorative patterns that mimic original modernista design motifs found in the same suites.
21st-century ultra-modern decor and luxuries harmonize with the preserved 1906 modernisme (Art Nouveau) artistry of this landmark building. Forty-five original ceilings with ornate molding designs are listed as historic treasures by the Town Hall of Barcelona. Superb carved-wood doors, stained-glass windows, mosaic tile, wrought iron ornamentation, dramatic staircases and the traditional elevator have all been meticulously restored.
=ROOFTOP TERRACE AND SPA=
Guests enjoy utmost privacy at the rooftop private spa and landscaped terrace with a panoramic view of this cultural capital on the Mediterranean.
Spa facilities include a wooden Finnish sauna, treatment rooms and massage tables, outdoor jacuzzi with hydro-massage “beds”, and solarium for suntanning.
The bar and al-fresco lounge area are ideal for yoga, simply relaxing, or for gatherings.
(Room card-key gives secure access to street-entrance front door, elevator, suite and rooftop.)
=SERVICES=
A personal assistant is assigned to each suite throughout your stay: multilingual, knowledgeable about Barcelona tourism, museums, shopping, entertainment and dining, and makes all your arrangements.
A culinary expert, he can shop and stock your kitchen, and cook your breakfast (optional) with a wide menu selection including Catalan specialties, and serve it on your dining table.
He can also coordinate a special chef to prepare your lunch or dinner en-suite, as well as recommend restaurants according to your preferences.
Concierge service: Don’t miss ‘El Palauet Recommends…’ a weekly insider’s bulletin suggesting smart cultural events, stylish restaurants and clubs around town, social events and…VIP access. Your Conceirge can arrange everything.
Transfers (inquire for cost): Private chauffeured transportation from/to El Prat International AIRPORT [BCN ] or from/to the SEAPORT for guests combining their stay with a Mediterranean cruise, yachting up the Costa Brava, or a ferry trip to the Balearic Islands (Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza, Formentera).
Parking: An underground public parking garage just across the street offers 24-hour service (additional cost).
=GENERAL=
-The hotel is especially suitable for families, and it is gay friendly. (Children are welcome, as well as small well-mannered dogs.)
-We love travel agents
-The building previously belonged to a banking operation. It was then purchased under private ownership, restored, transformed and converted into a hotel that opened in December 2010. US market launch in March 2011.
Member: Design Hotels (GDS)
RATES presently range from 660 Euros (introductory), to 1200 Euros per double suite per night for up to four persons. (Taxes and gratuities additional.)
EVENT SPACES: In addition to its hotel accommodations, El Palauet also offers a variety of event venues ranging from small meeting rooms to the vast 2,300 square-foot El Tinell (Catalan for “big celebration room”), the original storage area with imposing brick archways, ideal for weddings, parties, fashion shows, product launches, and exhibitions. These event spaces are within the same building but located in separate areas from the guest rooms.
(For celebrities traveling low-profile, we have a separate very private entrance.)
EL PALAUET LIVING BARCELONA Passeig de Gràcia 113 08008 Barcelona, Spain RESERVATIONS: + 34 (93) 218-0050 tel + 34 (93) 368-4385 fax info@eplivingbarcelona.com www.eplivingbarcelona.com reserve online www.elpalauet.com event facilities pdf views of El Palauet: http://bit.ly/ElPalauet - – - – - – - – - – - – - - See EL PALAUET featured in the May 2011 issue of ha+d, Hospitality Architecture & Design magazine. Insightful Managing Editor David Eisen says, “The hotel is small, but the design is elaborate.” El Palauet Living Barcelona in ha+d magazine Did you know?Barcelona’s famed LAS RAMBLAS, one of Europe’s most colorful and amusing streets, is walkable from El Palauet (or a quick taxi or subway ride). The two-kilometer tree-lined Ramblas ends at the seaport and a towering Christopher Columbus Monument with the discoverer pointing confidently — either toward the New World or to his home-town Genoa … (you decide). Be sure to explore the ebullient Boqueria Market just off Las Ramblas (8am-5pm daily, closed Sundays). The seaport bustles with luxury Mediterranean cruise ships and ferries to the Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Mallorca, Minorca and Formentera).
National Geographic ranks Barcelona, with its alluring Mediterranean coastline, #1 among the WORLD’S 10 BEST BEACH CITIES, so bring your bikini.
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