design et al are delighted to announce that The Hickson Design Partnership has been shortlisted for Hotel Over 200 Rooms – Europe Award in The International Hotel & Property Awards 2019.
The Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona has undergone a major refurbishment of the 440 rooms hotel, meeting areas, lobby and restaurant within which includes a Michelin star Chef. The Hickson Design Partnership’s brief was to mix the destination of the hotel, located in the new directional centre of Barcelona, with the leisure clients, attracted by the fabulous roof top pool and the views of Barcelona’s beaches.
The furniture is a mix of Spanish contemporary design, it is flexible to allow the many events settings of the hotel. Meeting areas are social spaces to work in a relaxed atmosphere, departing from the corporate way. The Aurt Restaurant is a revolution for Hilton as it is a true experience for the guest to see how the dish is made, to listen to the stories of the food provenance and ultimately to taste it on high tables located around the chef.
The design is residential contemporary with many Spanish and Barcelona companies specified design details everywhere in the building for the guests to discover. The rooms are custom design with a wraparound headboard to feel cosy and focus on the beautiful sea views. There is an edge to the design to reflect the young audience in Barcelona.
This is the not end of the Diagonal Mar and the area is still growing and developing; therefore the refurbishment is a catalyst to connect with the local community. Almost every week there are events which local artists are invited to, to showcase their work and to paint on the windows of the lobby and local food producers are invited to a day market.
The new design is a way to open up to the local community and invite everyone to take a seat in the big lobby, eat at the restaurant or have a coffee at the bar. The Hickson Design Partnership focus is always to specify local companies to lower the impact of CO2 for transport and distribution of goods.