Kimpton Vividora Hotel, an IHG Hotel

"In short: Worth it? Why? A nest of calm—and a very stylish one, at that—among the bustle that is the Gothic Quarter. You’re five minutes’ walk from Barcelona cathedral, even less to the thronging Las Ramblas; among the winding historic alleys and buzzy boulevards, the newly opened Kimpton Vividora is an urban sanctuary that doesn’t scrimp on rooftop chill-out scene.Set the scene: Why did the hotel catch your attention? You never know what to expect in the Gothic Quarter, such is the random nature of these streets, where hipster vintage shops rub shoulders with craft stalls, skateboarders, cannabis dealers, and about 15 branches of Zara. So, to see the Kimpton Vividora stand rather majestically down one of them—marked by huge tropical plants, an aroma of its trademark perfume, and a palette of peachy terracotta stonework—was a surprise. A really good surprise.What's the backstory? The Kimpton Vividora is part of the IHG Group, which spans InterContinental Hotels, Six Senses, and Crowne Plaza (among others), but—to its credit—you’d honestly never know it was part of chain. The Vividora is the Kimpton brand’s first foray into Spain, and its “hola” has been done with panache and individuality. There are some really attentive design details, such as patterned tiles on the elevator floors. How are the rooms? Accommodation is divided into Guestrooms and Suites, and what sets them apart is the outside space you get. The upper tiers of the Guestroom category offer small Juliet-style balconies, but the Suites go big on terraces—and it’s worth it. My Executive Suite had a wraparound corner terrace that ticked off views of the W hotel, the cathedral, Torre Agbar and the top of La Sagrada Familia. But you also get a fascinating snapshot of raw Barcelona life, stealing glances into people’s terraces and the pretty—and gritty—reality of that. Back inside the room, it does all the right things with design. The color palette has location-perfect sunset shades: tan leathers, a mustard chair, ochre bathrobes and 50 shades of clay. It feels expensive, and it smells expensive. An unexpected plus: a gigantic bathtub, beer by local microbrewery Ocean Beer, as well as sachets of sun cream in case you forgot it. Food and drink: What's on offer? Casa de Vivi is Kimpton Vividora’s complete food and drinks experience. Designed to feel like being at a friend’s house, it starts on the ground floor, in Bar Got, with great cocktails and complimentary wine from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. every day—a smart, welcoming touch. From there, move up one floor for dinner at Fauna Mediterranean restaurant before taking the elevator – and the experience – up to the next level at Terraza de Vivi—the seventh-floor rooftop bar. You don’t so much come for the food as the experience: panoramic views, comfy seating in Instagrammable fabrics and, at the weekends, DJs, as well as brunches with limitless mimosas. You know the crowd.\ Any other hotel features worth noting? The standout feature is the rooftop pool. A matchbox of a thing, really, but it’s as photogenic as the people posing on giant beanbags beside it. There’s also a small gym, and complimentary bikes and skateboards. Over the sunny months (which can span until October in Barcelona), there are free sunrise yoga classes twice a week on the roof terrace. What about the neighborhood? Choosing to stay in the Gothic Quarter doesn’t just put you close to the action, it almost slaps you around the face with city’s densest offering of shops, bars, and full-on street life. It’s not for everyone, and ordinarily I would stay in a quieter ‘hood, such as Eixample. But the Kimpton Vividora is a marvel in that it physically puts you in that world, then calmly removes you—offering you a cocoon of a bed, rooftop cava, and some impressive sound-proofing. I could be a convert. How is the service? Checking in is initially confusing as reception isn’t on the ground level, but one floor up. Once that’s worked out and you have someone’s attention, service is a strong point—grill them for every local tip you’ve ever wanted. The level of English spoken is top-notch. What's on offer for sustainability? A couple of green wins in the rooms: water in cardboard packaging, vegan, cruelty-free bathroom amenities and a recycling bin. The majority of food and drinks served in the hotel are locally sourced from the Barcelona region. Anything else we should know? The Vividora is completely pet-friendly, to the point that they only have one policy: your animal has to fit in the elevator. Since its opening in 2019, that means there’s been over 300 pets. One week before my visit, two parrots checked in." - Gemma Askham