Hotel Neri Relais & Chateaux – 17th Century Luxury Boutique

Hotel Neri in Barcelona was accepted in 2015 as part of Relais & Chateaux. Relais & Châteaux is a global fellowship of individually owned and operated luxury hotels and restaurants. The strict process in being part of this group is the same as striving for a Michelin star. This is the only hotel in Barcelona with this fellowship. The service and standard have to be very high and maintained, which is why this hotel offers a very niche experience.

Hotel Neri Relais & Chateaux is centrally located in the Barri Gotic area right next to the famous cathedral of Barcelona. This boutique hotel has only got 22 rooms and is housed in a 17th-century mansion. It has no pool and no gym but it has plenty of styles, atmosphere and unique charm. This hotel from the onset gives you a feel of European history in Barcelona at its best.. There is no road access, which makes it more intriguing. So when I was walking through this narrow path, I was excited to see where it would lead me. On arrival, I loved walking through the huge doors.

Reception

From the huge wooden doors to the big glass metal entrance, this hotel’s contemporary style was a brilliant contrast with its impressive historic surroundings. This is what I love about Europe, being able to experience history with a modern edge. There were sections within the reception area in where I could find a quiet spot to soak up the city. I loved just sitting in the tranquil library and watching the people walk by any time of the day or night. The staircase was so stunning and that I straight away walked to the top to enjoy the view below at this artistic hotel. The design of this hotel blended well with the relaxing music and sensual aromas to create a unique setting in this ancient, atmospheric area of central Barcelona.

I loved its unusually bold palette for soft furnishings and large splashy artworks. The crushed velvet sofas made it classy, including the modern take of the rocking chair. One of my favourite seating areas was in the corridor where a huge, pink knot inspired sofa had been created. I made sure to lie down on the sofa and to soak up the massive floor to ceiling local artwork.

Sant Felip Neri Square

This chic hotel was overlooking a secluded square in the heart of the Gothic Quarter called Sant Felip Square. It was where Gaudi would come and pray every day before he would set to work. It was also where the famous movie called, Vicky Christina Barcelona was filmed. There was a local school which was lovely to observe to see how this urban city hosts its locals. Barcelona is a city normally flooded by tourists, so it was refreshing to see the school children dominate the square.  For those not staying here, I would recommend to dine or enjoy a drink at the terrace bar.

My #breakfast view @hotelneri the church is where #gaudi prayed everyday before he started to create #opulentlifestyle #barcelona pic.twitter.com/hBtxCcoy30

— Gracie Opulanza (@gracieopulanza) February 11, 2017

Leafy Rooftop Garden Terrace

The hotel’s leafy rooftop garden terrace of the hotel is a lovely area to spend some time and relax. It is very secluded but at the same time gives the essence of this vibrant cultural city. Even during the winter, it was bliss soaking up the garden and rooftop experience. I was given a nice Cava and therefore just had to close my eyes and take it all in. This is what Hotel Neri is all about, enjoying a historical building and everything it has to offer.

Deluxe With Terrace

All rooms with a terrace are located on the third floor. When I opened the door it was nice to see wooden floors. This spotless room ticked all the boxes when it came to the luxury premium experience. The bed linen was amazing and the woollen blankets which are made in Spain can be purchased at the hotel. Make sure to feel the fabric, it was lovely to snug up too. The bed was massive and just beautiful to sleep in. The lighting added that extra romantic feel to the room and gave an essence of a place I did not want to leave.

Each room offers a different feel. The decor combined with the modern art paintings or murals above the beds gave it a very modern, edgy feel. The mixture of metal lights combined with the neutral walls was so romantic.

I loved the pottery which has harnessed nostalgia to make a unisex scent. The smells made me feel so chilled. When it came to herbal tea bags, Hotel Neri, understood how to impress. It’s not common to have this in a Spanish hotel, a kettle, let alone nice tea. Alongside that, my Nespresso machine was there whenever I wanted it. I was nice to have a complimentary mini-bar too, which is not common in Barcelona.

Balcony

These rooms had a terrace with a relax area and bamboo closures. I loved having an outdoor bath late at night whilst listening to the city. A must do when staying, even in winter. Just keep the bath topped up with hot water. The lighting outside the terrace was just perfect.

At @hotelneri just relaxing after hours of #opulentlifestyle #barcelona #weshowyouhow @menstylefashion #bath time #outside balcony pic.twitter.com/QtsIvmmdYw

— Gracie Opulanza (@gracieopulanza) February 11, 2017

Quartzite Stone Bathroom

The bathrooms were finished in quartzite, a stone known for its beneficial health properties. It sparkles and just felt gorgeous on my feet. The Korres toiletries were something I have not used before and I loved the conditioner and body cream.

Breakfast

The breakfast was of a high standard and offered plenty of healthy options. My favourite was the fruit plate and the fruit juices. The egg choices were simple but also a nice option. The breakfast room was lovely which had views of people walking by, it was a nice way to start my day. I had to leave very early and I asked for takeaway breakfast which was nice for early jet setters like me.

Chauffeur Service

Hotel Neri was tucked away on a narrow street which can be very awkward if you have heavy luggage. There is nothing worse about getting a taxi from the airport to be dropped off in a place you don’t know. Therefore when I arrive, I can feel stressed and flustered. The chauffeur service was well worth every penny. In my case I had a 7 am flight and on this occasion, I slept very well because I knew the private chauffeur would turn up. In a nice modern Mercedes, the chauffeur turned up on time and in a spotless car, I set off. What a fabulous way to end one of my favourite stays here in Barcelona.

Conclusion

Hotel Neri Relais & Chateaux is a hotel that offers a very niche stay. For those who are familiar with the city of Barcelona, I would highly recommend staying here. The staff are vibrant and on the ball, nothing is too much to ask. It’s why Hotel Neri Relais & Chateaux is a place that restores my faith in historic Europe. For this reason, I just can never get enough of it. If you’re looking to spoil a family member, some friends or a celebrating a special occasion, this is the place to go to. Thank you for a fantastic stay.

Details

• Room reviewed: Deluxe with Terrace – From €486 Includes free breakfast and transfer-in when booking direct
• Website: www.hotelneri.com/en/
• Address: Carrer de Sant Sever, 5, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
• Phone: +34 933 04 06 55

Barcelona Premium – Inspiring Luxury Travel

I stayed in Hotel Neri as part of a review of Barcelona Premium. Barcelona Premium is a tailor-made luxury experience adapted to your tastes, needs and desires. For more info: www.barcelonapremium.com