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Kimpton Vividora

By the El Equipo Creativo

By Brian Gallagher 01.03.20

Ever since the moratorium on new hotel construction in Barcelona’s city centre there has been a resurgence of hotel refurbishments. And one of the most spectacular must be the recently opened Kimpton Vividora, occupying the block that straddles Plaza Vila de Madrid and C/ Duc in the barrio gótico. Previously forming part of the NH Collection hotel the Kimpton Vividora as the name suggests is inspired by the life of a bon vivant – a sensual setting where art and gastronomy, colour and textures are combined with attentive service and a genuine welcome for locals and visitors alike.

The interior design was carried out by El Equipo Creativo, in collaboration with Kimpton’s creative director and senior vice-president of design, Ave Bradley. The Barcelona based studio is responsible for some of the most iconic restaurants to have opened in the city over recent years, including Disfrutar, One World (Port Vell) and Tickets. At Kimpton Vividora the inspiration is local, a reinterpretation of the typical Gothic palace where the entrance is accessed through a courtyard. In this case the ‘courtyard’ is a café /cocktail bar Bar Got - with the reception accommodated on the mezzanine level.

  • Kimpton Vividora by El Equipo Creativo
  • Kimpton Vividora by El Equipo Creativo

    View of the hotel recpetion, located on the mezzanine floor


    The striking design of the public areas mixes materials and colours that evoke the Mediterranean. Ceramics in terracotta and vibrant blues, leather and metal, timber screens and comfortable upholstery in warm and inviting colours. Marble reception desks and lush planting throughout. One of the highlights is the Fauna restaurant on the 1st floor level with its painted ceramic finishes so typical of the Iberian peninsula and clever layout that allows it to be divided into three separate spaces or one single open space.


  • Kimpton Vividora by El Equipo Creativo

    View of Fauna, one of the hotel's three gastronomic spaces

  • Kimpton Vividora by El Equipo Creativo

    An image of one of the Vividora's suites

  • Kimpton Vividora by El Equipo Creativo

    Standard room type


    The rooms are treated almost as a gallery of some of the most renowned local design companies, Nani Marquina, Vibia and Viccarbe. There are clever touches like the refillable amenities and the old style retro telephones in the rooms. The bed boards are particularly appealing, made from leather patches which are also used for the wall cladding behind the desks. Of the 156 rooms 10 are suites with between 25 and 35 square meters which have the bath tub incorporated in the room.

  • Kimpton Vividora by El Equipo Creativo

     

    The hotel’s determination to integrate itself with the locals is made clear with the set-lunch menu at Fauna and choosing local favourite Nomad coffee (roasted in Barcelona) for the café. There are also special rates for shared-work space by the day or monthly, that includes non-stop coffee supply. 

  • The main entrance on C/ Duc