Reviews

Casa Fuster

The city of Barcelona is a spectacular architectural sight that owes a good part of its heritage to Catalan “modernisme”, a style that reached its peak in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and that, broadly speaking, avoids straight lines, looks for movement through curves and is inspired by the fanciful shapes of nature. There are lots of emblematic buildings designed by prestigious architects of the time that beautify the city, and Casa Fuster is one of them.

The history of this 5 star luxury hotel goes back to 1908, when Mariano Fuster, member of the Majorcan high society, hires Lluís Domènech i Montaner – world renowned architect and responsible for the design, among many others, of Hospital Sant Pau and Palau de la Música Catalana- to build a house for his wife Consuelo Fabra i Puig. The construction of the building finishes in 1911, year in which it is considered the most expensive one in the city due to the materials used. The Fuster family lived there until the twenties and, for many decades since then, the building went from hand to hand with a rather uncertain future. Fortunately, in 2000 the Hoteles Center chain bought it and turned –though respecting its originality as much as possible- this gem of the Catalan “modernisme” into one of the most luxurious hotels in the Catalan capital.

Listed as a Landmark Building, Casa Fuster welcomes us at the highest point of Passeig de Gràcia with the majesty of an art master piece. It boasts a unique and exceptional location, between the luxury of the boutiques on Passeig de Gràcia and the life of the cosy district of Gràcia.

It’s a pity that access is only allowed to guests, for the interior is a real visual pleasure. The good news is we can visit the cafeteria Café Vienés, a lounge space with avant-garde décor, marble columns and huge windows facing Jardinets de Gràcia. It is said that for years it used to be the place where intellectuals and different social spheres met. Though rather expensive, it is worth it to relax with a cup of coffee or tea, and even with a drink after sunset with live jazz music. Also at our reach, the gastronomic comes under the name of Galaxó, led by a young team that presents a wonderful avant-garde Mediterranean cuisine. We will be impressed by both the singular setting and the quality of the food.

The hotel itself is, as well, a real wonder that wisely combines the charm of its history with modernity and design, two concepts that perfectly match each other and that are present in each one of the hundred of rooms and suites that make up Casa Fuster. All of them present a warm, elegant décor in shades of brown and are fully equipped -meeting the expectations of a 5 star luxury hotel- with flat screen TV, mini-bar, safe, A/C, Internet access, remote controlled lighting and bathrobe, phone and amenities in the bathroom. Deluxe and suite bathrooms are equipped with a hydro-massage bathtub. Needless to say that everything is impeccable.

The hotel premises include a fantastic terrace from which we dominate Passeig de Gràcia. It offers amazing views over the entire city and is home to the gym, Jacuzzi and swimming pool. The hotel also boasts about a dozen of rooms fully equipped to hold conferences, congresses and meetings as well as receptions and celebrations.

A hotel of such characteristics must have high quality personnel. In this sense, Casa Fuster is again up to the expectations with an exemplary and highly competent service that, besides speaking fluent English, from the moment we check in to the last second before the check out, is extremely attentive and helpful.

With no doubts at all, Casa Fuster is the perfect scenery for a really special stay.