Checking In: The Kimpton Vividora Has Everything You Need for the Perfect Barcelona Getaway

Heading to Barcelona for a summer getaway? Here are five reasons why you should book a room at the Kimpton Vividora Barcelona.

If there is one capital that is wholly underrated, it’s the diverting city of Barcelona. Sure, Paris has romance and New York has pretty lights, but Barcelona’s rich cultural history, striking architecture and thriving creative scene make it a uniquely exciting destination to explore. 

Of course, there is a lot to see in the city, so where you stay during your visit is key. When it comes to finding the perfect balance between luxury, location, and convenience, we’ve found The One: The Kimpton Vividora Barcelona.

Located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, the Kimpton Vividora Barcelona is a five-star hotel that ticks all the boxes for the perfect trip. Ahead, find five things we loved about our stay (and why we’ll be coming back for more):

Reason #1: The ambience

Checking into the hotel was a treat from start to finish. The trendy, vibrant decor of the hotel welcomes you in at all hours of the day, whether you’re down for a morning coffee or settling in for some complimentary Wine O’Clock in the afternoon. The lobby is also always filled with great energy, whether from the digital nomads working from the library space or the friendly staff that are ready to help at a moment’s notice (more on that later!). That said, my favourite thing about the lobby is actually its signature scent—a familiar Mediterranean fragrance that followed me all the way from check-in at the reception to my gorgeous room.

Speaking of which, the Queen Essential room was lush and equipped with pretty much everything I needed for my stay. From the must-haves (i.e. a comfortable queen bed, a rain shower, and a Smart TV) to more thoughtful details (i.e. a speaker, a hairdryer, and a bottle of Cava), I was left wanting for nothing. I loved the plush decor of the room and its colourful furnishings—it was a wonderful base to settle back into after a full day of exploring.

Plus, the hotel is stacked with gorgeous views all around! My room’s balcony overlooked the picturesque courtyard that housed the hotel’s entrance and was a fabulous place to perch in the mornings and evenings for a little people-watching. The rooftop also boasted panoramic views of the city in both the day and nighttime, which allowed me to bask in the sights of the city from the comfort of the pool.

Reason #2: The location

One of the best things about the hotel was its location. Situated right off La Rambla, I was right by one of the best shopping districts in the city and surrounded by plenty of great bars and restaurants nearby.

It was also incredibly convenient to pop out for some sightseeing. Just a 10-minute walk away is Mercat de la Boqueria, a great market to feast both the eyes and belly on. I also managed to tackle La Pedrera Casa Milà, Casa Batlló, and Casa Vicens Gaudí in one morning as they were all located in a straight line from the hotel.

The iconic Basílica de la Sagrada Família was also just a 10-minute bike ride from the hotel and the Basílica de Santa María del Mar was a quick 12-minute stroll away, which made it remarkably easy to cover the city’s biggest landmarks during my short stay. Finally, the Barceloneta beach is a quick 30-minute walk away, should you want to do any surfing or sunbathing (I did not, but it’s nice to know the option was there). 

The hotel is also incredibly well-connected by public transport, so should you want to venture further out to explore, you’ll definitely be able to get around really easily.

Reason #3: The food

There are two eateries at the Kimpton Vividora Barcelona: Fauna Restaurant and La Terraza de Vivi. During our stay, we opted for a tapas-style dinner at Fauna, followed by drinks at the latter. The food at Fauna was absolutely incredible, with the highlights including the smoked beef steak, the cheese platter, and the house cheesecake. 

Better yet, the staff at both restaurants were fabulous and friendly, explaining each dish and drink thoroughly and giving me great recommendations to accommodate my food intolerances. 

Reason #4: The service

If, like me, you are incredibly disorganised on holiday and happen to arrive in Barcelona with absolutely no plans, fret not—Kimpton Vividora’s concierge is here to save the day! The staff were incredibly helpful at sharing recommendations for the area (and giving me directions to said recommendations). 

Not only did I get a comprehensive guide to the city’s nightlife (a must when you’re in Barcelona), but I also got some great local, non-touristy recommendations that made my stay in the city all the more special.

Reason #5: The amenities

As you may gather from this review, you’re likely to end up walking a lot in Barcelona, so it’s just as well that the hotel is fully equipped with all the wind-down necessities you could need. The Kimpton Vividora’s Spa de Vivi is perfect for the tired traveller, offering everything from body massages to facial and body treatments. Further, you can also lounge by the pool and go for a dip to cool off during the day. The pool doesn’t exactly give one enough room to train for the Olympics, but the pretty views and adjacent bar will be plenty sufficient to help you rest your bones. 

And, if you really feel like you need to get even more steps in during your stay, the Kimpton Vividora’s gym is open 24 hours a day. Alternatively, if you’re looking to squeeze in some outdoor activities, the concierge can help here too! Upon request, you can access the hotel’s bike and surfboard rental services. Further, the hotel has curated local-approved bicycle and running routes and also offers outdoor yoga sessions in the summertime. In short, you’ll never be left with nothing to do during your stay!

The verdict

If you’re headed over to Barcelona, I think it’s definitely worth booking a room at the Kimpton Vividora. The city has so much to offer and the Kimpton Vividora helped me enjoy my travels to the fullest. 

That said, if you can’t make it all the way to Barcelona but still want the full Kimpton experience, fret not—the Kimpton Naluria is coming to Kuala Lumpur later this year! The IHG hotel is set to open at Kuala Lumpur’s Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), bringing the hotel’s essence of modern luxury right into our city’s Central Business District.

KIMPTON VIVIDORA BARCELONA

Address: Carrer del Duc, 15, Ciutat Vella, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

Contact: +34 936 42 54 00

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