El Palauet - history meets luxury in the heart of Barcelona

It was late afternoon when I stood in front of the imposing facade of El Palauet, Barcelona's hidden treasure. If the Passeig de Gràcia had a beating heart, it would surely beat to the rhythm of the undulating balconies, wrought iron ornaments and delicate esgrafiades adorning this modernist gem.

This was not my first visit to the city, but this time I came here as an editor for Italy's Vanity Fair, on a mission to discover one of the most exclusive hotels in Europe. My trip was to be not only an encounter with luxury, but also with the very soul of Catalan art.

---

Architecture that tells a story

El Palauet is housed in the Casa Bonaventura Ferrer building, designed in 1906 by Catalan architect Pere Falqués i Urpí, the same architect who created the iconic mosaic lanterns on the Passeig de Gràcia. His vision was bold: combining neo-Baroque majesty with the softness of forms and nature inspiration typical of modernism.

Even at first glance, it's clear that this is no ordinary hotel. Art Nouveau at its best - undulating balconies reminiscent of sea waves, ornate floral elements on the facade, and above it all - a soaring Baroque-style gable, like a royal crown for this architectural marvel.

Interiors where the past flirts with the future

Upon entering, one immediately feels that this place celebrates history, but is not stuck in the past. The original stucco, richly decorated ceilings and wooden panels transport us to an era where artistry met craftsmanship at the highest level. Yet El Palauet is not a museum - it is a living space where history is harmoniously intertwined with contemporary design.

Each of the six luxury suites features furniture by some of the most famous designers of the 20th and 21st centuries:

Philippe Starck, whose modern, minimalist forms contrast with the rich ornamentation of Art Nouveau,

Arne Jacobsen, a master of Scandinavian simplicity,

Eero Saarinen, whose organic shapes are in keeping with the Catalan love of nature.

There are also contemporary touches: intelligent lighting and air-conditioning controls, private terraces with city views and modern bathrooms that look like works of functional art.

Luxury that has a soul

El Palauet is not a place for everyone. It's a hotel that requires guests to have a sensitivity to beauty, an ability to notice details and a willingness to celebrate a space that is more than just a place to sleep.

Every morning, sipping espresso on one of the balconies, I could watch the city wake up - how Barcelona's past and future intertwine in a single rhythm. And that's the secret of this place - it's a hotel that not only offers luxury, but allows you to feel it in every moment, in every detail.

I don't know if you can call El Palauet a hotel - it's more like a work of art to live in. And although I closed the door behind me when I left it, I had the feeling that the history I experienced here would stay with me forever.

Credits: ElPalauet.com