TAPAS MEETS SUSHI
LOCATION
Barcelona has a hotel for every occasion and need, but what it did not have until 2019 is an establishment that would fuse zen, lavish Japanese design with local flair. Set right across Barca Sans station, Nobu Barcelona changed that in 2019. The hotel towers over its surroundings, flaunting its minimalist and subtle sophistication. Nobu has been a culinary powerhouse since opening its first restaurant in NYC at Robert de Niro’s behest. The Catalan Nobu made a similar splash after opening. With a direct connection to the lively street below, the stylish hotels turn the heads of locals and foreigners. The Plaça d’Espanya is not far, and guests can also venture to the Montjuic Olympic area or the revitalised port terminals, including Port Olímpic. Seeping into the modernist architecture of the surroundings, Nobu took inspiration from Barcelona’s surrounding hills. The facade’s entry portal mimics the wavy hills of the city’s outskirts. The hotel’s proximity to the happenings in the city as well as the immediate access to the city’s largest station, the Sants station, are one of its advantages. With a taxi or public transport, you will be spirited away to any district of the iconic coastal city in no time.
ACCESSIBILITY
Barcelona is one of the leading European cities in terms of sustainable mobility. Thus, reaching the city is possible with the clockwork metro, trains, or buses. Choosing the train seems logical as Nobu is set within spitting distance of the Barcelona Saints train station. You will be whisked away to Madrid in under two and a half hours, while Paris is only seven hours away. Air accessibility is equally impressive. Barcelona has one of the busiest European airports, with around 370 daily flights. Bolt and Uber have become serious rivals for the local black-and-yellow taxis. Regardless of the provider, you will get around town for a fair price. The hotel is twenty minutes from the airport, even if that can quickly extend over an hour of idle zigzagging through the city. Once in the city, guests can pedal through the Barrio Gótico and beyond on the city’s recognisable red bicycles. Both pedestrians and cyclists have taken pride in the city’s revamp of bike lanes and pedestrian zones. On hot summer days, the lanes are shielded from the sun by vast canopies of the city’s many plane trees. Nobu enjoys a brilliant location – halfway between the city centre and the airport.
COLD STARTER - Architecture and aesthetics
Nobu Hotels is a design stunner both from the outside and inside. The award-winning Rockwell Group teamed up with Spain-based artisan interior design companies to imbue the Catalan outpost with a generous sprinkle of local spirit. The furniture all comes from a Valencia-based furniture brand. Immediately upon glancing at the vertical construction, the slick black facade caught our eye. It is enriched by a vestibule blanketed by woven screens in orange hues. This architectural intervention is an ode to torii, a Japanese gate that leads to a Shinto shrine. The refined design continues in the lobby, where we immediately picked up a pleasant odour. As soon as guests pass into the safe confines of the hotel, they will be immersed in the Japanese-inspired space. Dark gritted wood, functional furniture and a sense of harmony dominate the interior. The lobby continues into the Kozara Restaurant, the preferred spot for tapas inspired by Japanese dishes. It can be transformed into a unique event space for smaller receptions. Considering the phenomenal in-house catering, guests will want to stay here longer. The incredible design is prominent even in the lifts; the honeycomb pattern on the walls of the lift exudes prestige. However, we noticed some dents and scratches on the walls, which attests to the amount of guests passing through the doors at this hotel. Regardless, the design is crafted to the last detail. Even the room numbers feature a unique design with a gold-hued pattern. The Japanese design continues in the restaurant, where the stylish wooden furniture is eclipsed only by the views of Barcelona and the decadent bites. Guests can revel in a 360-degree panorama of the buzzing city.
WARM ENTRÉE - The staff and the culinary experience
What more to say about the staff apart from outstanding? From the reception desk to the outdoor terrace, the personnel serve guests with a broad grin. Plenty of ink has been spilt on the extraordinary culinary experiences at Nobu. Beyond the usual flattery that the black cod with miso was the best guests we ever tried, we must admit the Barcelona gourmet hub beautifully blends local dishes – think patatas bravas in a yuzu sauce. We relished the signature dishes at Nobu Restaurant and enjoyed the seasonal specialities even more. Executive Chef Carlos Gómez Segovia masterfully pays homage to Mr. Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature dishes but craftily puts his spin on local delicacies. A similar story continues at breakfast, with a selection of buffet dishes, including superb jamon iberico. The coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice befit the five-star standard. We were equally impressed by the level of maintenance in the hotel. All the staff members exude pride in working in a luxury lifestyle hotel and, consequently, always go the extra mile for the guests.
MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel
Hotel rooms
Nobu’s signature Japanese zen design pairs opulent materials and design furniture with unusually shaped elements. In the case of Barcelona, the rooms feature upside-down glass vases that function as bedtable lights and a mosaic of charcoal-hued tiles atop the fabric-clad headboard. The pattern on the tiles resembles Japanese calligraphy but depicts one of Barcelona’s silhouettes seen from a bird’s eye view. What convinced us in the room was the fantastic bed with world-class linen and comfort rarely seen in hotels. They say Nobu has one of the most comfortable beds in the industry, and we can confirm that. The wooden story pays homage to the “Japandi” style – where dark-hued wooden elements meet minimalist, refined ceramics and design elements. Upon setting foot into the bathroom, guests feel transported to a world of zen design. Local cosmetics by Natura Bissé are delightful and a way to support the local artisan brand. Our room overlooked the sprawling downtown of Barcelona, with the Gothic district in the distance. Details make a world of difference in the room – the Marshall speaker and the huge LED TV, teeming with useful information on the hotel – will make you feel right at home. To boot, four-legged companions are more than welcome here. Given the copious amount of space in the room, they will feel as welcome as you.
Meetings centre
Far from ordinary, the meeting rooms in this hotel are a glorification and idealisation of Japanese streets and dojos. But they feel incredibly organic, even if in Barcelona. Event organisers can turn the minimalist Sakura Ballroom upside down to suit the needs of their event. It has a capacity of 160 attendees in a theatre setting. The true gem of the hotel, though, is the Auditorium. With excellent acoustics and a setting perfect for podcasts, media presentations and more, it wonderfully complements the traditional design with its modernity. Guests can also organise a private dining experience in the restaurant. The culinary delights will stay with the attendees for days.
DESSERT – The extras
Guests wanting a private dining experience can savour Nobu’s signature dishes and more radical interpretations of local staples in a separate room. This exclusive experience is a major competitive advantage, perfect for boutique groups and meetings. Matsuhisa’s Table is for special occasions.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
We dare say the Nobu in Barcelona has next to no flaws. If we had to find a drawback, it may be the occasional dents and scratches in the elevators and hotel corridors. They attest to the high demand the hotel has been experiencing since opening in 2019.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
In accordance with the hotel’s mindfulness concept, the spa is a sanctuary, kitted out with a hot and cold plunge pool, a steam room and a Finnish sauna. As the staff told us, they also offer exclusive CBD oil treatments. After a long day of work, the treatment is soul-soothing, they assured us. Given the size of the hotel, the management could consider expanding the spa, though. To boot, they could manage the schedule more efficiently with reservations.
SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS
Nobu has been adopting a sustainable approach with simple but highly effective measures. The rooms in the Barcelona outpost remind guests of their emissions with simple notes that show the difference between taking a five-minute and a ten-minute shower. The gastronomy is also environment-friendly and supports local providers. We were told 90% of the products are from the broader region. The remaining 10%, alas, cannot be replaced, as produce and fish such as the black cod come from remote places.
FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
Nobu is a global brand and pioneer in fusing local design with the elegant and refined Japanese architectural style. In their Barcelona outpost, they approached the project with a deep understanding of the city and its cultural heritage, including that of Gaudí. The design is stunning, but it functions only as the prelude for phenomenal gastronomy, so signature for Nobu. What makes Nobu one of the city’s hottest points is the highest rooftop terrace in Barcelona. Beyond that, the value for money in the off-season is great. Whilst others try to replicate the hotel’s style or the iconic dishes, Nobu will always remain original, unmatched and authentic. This is one of Barcelona’s most exclusive venues and an institution in its own right.
FINAL GRADE: 4.96 THREE MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ City Meeting Hotel
3 MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ final score from 4.81 to 5.00
2 MEETING STARS⭐⭐ final score from 4.61 to 4.80
1 MEETING STAR⭐ final score from 4.41 to 4.60
