W Hotel Opens in Barcelona

The W Barcelona, a sail-shaped glass tower, opened today in the city’s trendy beachside neighborhood of Barceloneta. The city with the world’s most cutting-edge urbanism (turning the whole city towards the waterfront) has inaugurated the last major piece in that collection of icons that includes the list of the word’s most famous architects. Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura is leading this year’s list with the top 1 position after the successful inauguration of Terminal 1 and W Barcelona.  

W Barcelona is the first hotel in the city with direct access to the beach, and the first major hotel on the Passeig de Joan de Borbó, an up-and-coming waterfront district of luxury retails, theaters and nightclubs. From the urban view point the project is a key position between the water and the city generating new public infrastructure, urban space (with the Rosa dels Vents Square overlooking the Mediterranean, where 4 twisting marble columns signal a balcony over the water), entertainment areas and parking.

The 26-story hotel has 473 rooms (including 70 suites), a Bliss Spa and gym, a restaurant by the Catalan chef Carles Abellán, a rooftop bar, infinity pool, terraces and cabanas.