Past meets present at this five-star city hotel with luxury contemporary furnishings, which also pays homage to the historic surroundings of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter
Location
Kimpton Vividora is located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona’s maze of historic narrow streets, which are dominated by architecture from the period, including the impressive 14th-century Cathedral of Barcelona. Winding lanes are filled with tapas bars, boutique shops, artisanal leather boutiques, and stores from well-known Spanish high street brands such as Mango and Zara.
Around the corner is La Rambla, the famous pedestrian boulevard that leads down to Barceloneta Beach, which is a 30-minute walk from the hotel.
There is no parking at the hotel, but guests can park at nearby garages for an additional price arranged by the concierge team. Concierge can also arrange airport transfers, which take around 40 minutes by private car. Public transport from the airpot includes bus shuttle service to the city centre or a train to Passeig de Gracia station, which is a 10-minute walk from the hotel.
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The vibe
Part of IHG, the Kimpton brand is known for five-star luxury stays that still feel laidback. The Vividora provides a quiet and comfortable place to relax in the middle of the city.
There is a double-height lounge and coffee shop area visible from the street, which is popular with both guests and locals, and the terracotta building blends in seamlessly with its surroundings. Inside, local interior design studio El Equipo Creativo has paired modern furnishings with colourful mosaic patterns in a subtle nod to Barcelona’s more flamboyant architecture.
Service
The service at Kimpton Vividora is exceptional: the right amount of attentive without being overbearing. Hotel porters remember names and faces, favourite drinks orders are recalled at meals, and a WhatsApp chat allows guests to request the help of staff.
The concierge is also on hand to assist with any excursions around Barcelona; they helped me to plan a short walk around the local area to tick off some of the best sights.
Bed and bath
There are 151 rooms at Kimpton Vividora, 10 of which are suites that come with freestanding bathtubs and a private terrace with seating. The location means you are looking out over neighbouring roof terraces and can hear the occasional drill, motorbike or clanging of the cathedral bells – and are foregoing sparkling sea vistas – but it’s worth it for the views of the city, including La Sagrada Familia from some terraces.
Rooms are simple and airy with a warm, neutral colour palette that reflects the tones of the Mediterranean, such as tans and pebble greys. The bathrooms, with rainfall showers, are decorated with deep blue and marble-effect tiles. Steel shelving units act as open wardrobes, with desks or mini bars attached. Playful pops of colour are introduced with a bright yellow rotary-style telephone and chunky art coffee table books.
Rooms ranging from Premium upwards all have desks, ideal for those who want to work while travelling.
One of the standout features of the room is the “Forgot it? We’ve got it” service that the hotel offers. Guests can ask staff for anything they failed to pack, from a curling iron to a plug adaptor, nail polish, and more. If it’s not on the list, the hotel says it will source it for the guest.
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Food and drink
Before you even reach the check-in desk you are greeted by the hotel’s coffee shop and bar, GOT, which serves tea, Nespresso coffee, and offers a “social hour” between 5pm and 6pm when wine and beer are free.
On the second floor, guests will find Fauna, a restaurant that serves the hotel’s breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner. Locally sourced ingredients are used in dishes such as Iberian ham platters, the mini foie gras mi-cuit sandwich with sweet apple tatin and fig jam, salt cod fritters, and Parellada rice with baby squid, cuttlefish and red prawns. Vegetarian options include dishes such as grilled eggplant and beetroot hummus, and porcini mushroom croquettes with almond milk, although chefs can adapt many of the tapas plates to suit any dietary requirements.
Up on the roof, Terraza de Vivi has 360 views, and serves a fresh brunch menu on Spanish time (12pm to 4pm), rather than the usual mid-morning slot. Enjoy drinks such as iced coffees and mimosas in the afternoon heat, or come evening, watch Barcelona light up.
Facilities
The standout facility is a small open-air rooftop pool. The pool is open in the warmer season and is for guest use only.
There’s a small gym on the second floor with weights and basic machinery, while a compact spa offers facials and massages for those aged 16 and over. There’s only one treatment room (with two beds), so be sure to book well in advance. The spa uses organic and vegan products during treatments, which take place on red light therapy mats.
Kimpton Vividora also offers rental bikes and longboards, which guests can use to get around the city, as well as paddleboards if a trip to the beach is on the cards. Each room also stores a yoga mat for some in-room stretching.
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Accessibility
There are seven accessible rooms in the hotel with adapted toilets that have grab bars and emergency call cords. They also have wet room showers with seats and grab bars, and lower sinks. Each level of the hotel is accessible via lifts.
Pet policy
The Kimpton brand has a famous pet policy – they say that any pet that can fit in the lift can stay at the hotel for no extra charge.
Check-in/check-out?
Check-in is 3pm, check out is 12pm.
Family-friendly?
There are two types of family rooms available at Kimpton Vividora, one with a balcony and one without. Each type has two interconnecting rooms with a king bed and two single beds. Children are welcome to use the rooftop pool at any time. There are no dedicated kids’ menus at Fauna, but servers will offer kid-friendly dishes such as chicken escalope with fries and various pastas.
At a glance
Best thing: The “Forgot it? We’ve got it” service.
Perfect for: City breakers.
Not right for: Those wanting easy access to the coast.
Instagram from: The rooftop with the Sagrada Familia in the background.
Address: Carrer del Duc, 15, Ciutat Vella, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 936 42 54 00
Website: kimptonvividorahotel.com/
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Amelia was a guest of Kimpton Vividora.
