Located in Barcelona’s Plaza Europa Square, the Renaissance Fira Hotel has taken a revolutionary approach to design, creating a space in which greenery and vegetation have been carefully transformed into an architectural wonder.

Here Breaking Travel News report Alice McKeown investigates as she visits the Spanish city for Mobile World Congress. 

The 110 metre high tower has integrated botanical elements into its very structure, while there is a 27-story vertical garden - bursting with over 300 palm trees - running up the centre of the building.

The result? A touch of the rainforest has been brought to Barcelona. 

Barcelona Fira Hotel boasts a formidable range of services; it has a panoramic restaurant, 357 bedrooms, two cocktail bars, 11 meeting rooms, a fitness centre with heated swimming pool, and a roof terrace with an additional pool and sun beds.

It’s clear that a great deal of thought has gone into every element of the hotel’s design.

The bedrooms are a calm oasis, carefully blending light, colours and shadows to continue the nature-led theme.

When the window blinds are opened in the morning, guests will look out through the distinctive form of a palm tree leaf, which has been outlined within the hotel’s exterior walls.

I enjoyed the spaciousness of the room, and the cool, two-tone chromatic design creates an interesting contrast with the bursts of greenery found elsewhere in the hotel.

An intriguing light box sits on the desk next to the bed; as it whirrs away gently in a darkened room, it emits a beautiful leaf-patterned effect onto the nearby surfaces.

Nice touches like this means the rooms are a pleasure to stay in, offering a relaxed and comfortable escape for guests. 

The Renaissance Fira Hotel has possibly one of the most efficient lifts in Europe; it takes you up 110 metres to the roof garden in a matter of seconds, and the glass walls mean you have a close-up view of the vertical garden as you ascend.

The roof terrace itself is spectacular; it houses a large outdoor pool, perfect for cooling off in the ferocious heat of summer.

The panoramic view over Barcelona is stunning, and it’s a sight which will stay with you for a while.

Palmer Restaurant on the 14th floor describes itself as an ‘urban refuge surrounded by natural vegetation’ and this is apt.

Diners enjoy their meal sat amid lush greenery, and those lucky enough to be seated by the windows can enjoy the view too.

The restaurant has been thoughtfully designed in terms of lighting; during the day, the natural sunlight is reflected off the large mirrors lining the walls, giving the room a luminous feel.

Come evening, the lights are dimmed, and the ambience changes to create a calm, intimate setting.

The hotel’s breakfast is also excellent; guests can choose from a comprehensive buffet, as well as continental, hot and full English options.

There is a great range of pastries too, including - if you can stomach it so early - a range of very tempting chocolate donuts.

Renaissance Fira Hotel is conveniently located moments away from Europa-Fira’s metro station, and for MWC attendees, the hotel is three minutes’ walk away from the venue.

The hotel is within easy distance of many of Barcelona’s main attractions, and caters for business and leisure travellers equally well.

As an example of a beautifully designed, modern piece of architecture, it comes highly recommended. 

More Information

Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel is conveniently located in Barcelona’s Plaza Europa Square, next to the Fira Convention Centre Comprised two 110 metre towers joined by a spectacular panoramic restaurant and a terrace-vantage point with views over the city of Barcelona.

All 357 bedrooms are designed with a two-toned chromatic effect in mind.

For more on the property head over to the official website.