Beaches, beautiful people and nightlife. That is immediately what comes to mind when I think of Barcelona. Rivaling Berlin as the party capitol of Europe, Barcelona has the benefit of better weather and a seaside location – two cards it plays like trumps in the game of attracting tourists.

That said, there’s more to life to partying, there’s also shopping and style, a thing that Barcelona offers in spades.

Stay

TWO Hotel Barcelona by Axel
Calabria 90-92
08015 Barcelona, Spain
T: +34 935 39 23 13
www.axelhotels.com/twobarcelona

The newest member of the hetero-friendly Axel Hotel group, the TWO Hotel by Axel is ideally located in the club-filled Gaixample neighborhood, an area perfumed by the heady scent of non-stop nightlife. But despite its lively environs the TWO is a more subdued affair. While an intimate bar greets guests at check-in, fully soundproofed rooms bathed in natural light and neighborhood views provide a relaxing and welcoming vibe. Unlike the neighboring Axel Hotel, the TWO hotel does not have a rooftop bar scene (though it does have a rooftop pool) and it is certainly not what you might call particularly clubby. That said, guests of the TWO have full access to all of the facilities at the neighboring Axel, including the gym, which is just about a 10-minute walk away. Offering a new dimension to the Axel Hotel experience in Barcelona, the TWO is certainly an excellent option for those who thrive on the pulse of the city and yet still enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep.

Axel Hotel Barcelona
Aribau 33
08011 Barcelona, Spain
T: +34 93 323 93 93
www.axelhotels.com/barcelona

Also located in the Gaixample, the Axel Hotel Barcelona is actually one of the neighborhood hotspots in addition to being a pragmatically stylish boutique property with 105 rooms. The hotel’s rooftop Sky Bar is regularly hopping, particularly when the weather is at its finest and there are frequently a slew of events on tap at the hotel making it an excellent for those who don’t like the party to be far from where they lay their heads at night.  Tip: For a special treat, book one of the Axel’s four suites which boast a private terrace and solarium.

Meliá Barcelona Sky
Pere IV, 272 – 286
08005 Barcelona, Spain
T: +34 933 67 20 50
E: melia.sky@melia.com
www.melia.com/melia-barcelona-sky

Contemporary and modern, the sleek twenty-nine floors of the Meliá Barcelona Sky hotel soar above the city’s hip Poblenou district. Anything but cookie-cutter, this hotel designed by French architect Dominique Perrault was clearly built to impress and it does not fail on that score. Elegantly appointed rooms combining seaside chic with urban flair are outfitted with all manner of amenities including all the ones you might expect along with extras like adjustable lighting, electric curtains, bold red writing desks and Aveda bathroom products. Complementing each room is a view of either Barcelona, the beach, which is just a short 10-minute walk away, or the pool. Finally, the popular ‘see-and-be-seen’ terrace at the property’s acclaimed Dos Cielos restaurant on the 24th floor offers downright dreamy views of both the city and some of its most well turned out residents and guests.

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Eixample
www.barcelonaturisme.com/the-eixample

In Barcelona, it’s not difficult to stumble onto a party because the city literally never seems to stop partying. One popular area sure to offer something for all tastes is the Eixample neighborhood which is a hotbed of activity most of the time but especially so on weekends and holidays. Start out late for tapas at one of the many local restaurants and then bar hop through the Eixample’s gaggle of clubs and bars until you find the one that best suits your own unique kind of boogie.

Gaixample
www.barcelonaturisme.com/gaixample

Traditionally thought out as the “gay” side the Eixample, Gaixample is bordered by the Carrer Balmes, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, Carrer Urgell and Carrer Aragó. Live entertainment venues, bars and clubs of all varieties abound with the following being but a few of the favorites:

Arena Madre
Carrer de Balmes, 32
08007 Barcelona, Spain
www.grupoarena.com

A big, dark gay club popular with a youthful crowd. One of five arena clubs in the area.

Átame
Carrer del Consell de Cent 257
08011 Barcelona, Spain

The name means “fit to be tied”. Not sure of the origin of that name, but those who like this little place and its live entertainment seem to love it. Not a bad place to stop in for a cocktail and a dose of local color.

Botanic Bar Cafe
Muntaner 64
08011Barcelona, Spain
www.botanicbarcafe.com

Quite the chill place for a drink or a quick nosh before a night out.

Eat

La Gavina
Plaça Pau Vila, 1
08039 Barcelona, Spain
T: +34 932 21 05 95
lagavina.es

La Gavina is an enchanting restaurant tucked away in the Palau del Mar building at the foot of the Mediterranean Sea. A large restaurant with over two decades of history, this eatery has become something of a staple for tourists descending upon Barcelona from mega-cruise ships but it’s worth a stop even if for those who aren’t disembarking from a cruise. Tip: Do request a table on the terrace (weather permitting of course) and do sample the seafood which is without question the star of the menu along with the various paellas.

Explore

The Beaches of Barcelona

Barcelona is a city known for its beaches. That’s no secret. Almost nowhere else in the world will you find more glorious beaches packed with more acres of perfectly toned and tan bodies…day and night. By day the beaches are filled with sun seekers and social animals and by night they become an open air club where the pretty party people converge to twirl the night away. Regular hotspots of all varieties can be found along San Sebastià and Barceloneta, two beaches located directly next to one another which are both busy day and night. Meanwhile during the summer months Mar Bella beach is an extraordinarily popular destination, famous for its nudist beach, late night parties and the legendary gay beach bar El Chiringuito de la Mar Bella. Tip: If you happen to be visiting Barcelona during the summer months and find yourself angling for a big night out, inquiring about the happenings at Mar Bella beach would probably make for an excellent starting point.

Indulge

La Roca Village
08430 Santa Agnès de Malanyanes (La Roca del Vallès)
Barcelona, Spain
T: +34 938 42 39 39
www.larocavillage.com

In my world, no holiday is complete without a little (or a lot of) shopping and La Roca Village, located just about 30 minutes from the beaches of Barcelona is a destination unto itself for doing just that. One of the collection of nine Chic Outlet Shopping Villages operated by Value Retail across Europe, the brand offerings at La Roca Village commingle upscale global brands like Polo Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Moncler, Escada and Jimmy Choo with a selection of luxe Spanish-born brands like Loewe, Adolfo Dominguez, El Ganso and Lottussee and absolutely nothing lesser.

The quaint village of shops even includes among its offerings a pop-up boutique called Barcelona Designers Collective which showcases up and coming designers from across design disciplines ranging from fashion, graphic design and illustration to product design, crafts and contemporary jewelry. It’s the perfect stop for those who want to pick up a little something uniquely Barcelona.

Finally, as if all of the aforementioned was not enough of a draw, adding to the experience of this swank shopping outpost are a range of guest services designed to complement guests’ experience of the village.

Don’t want to be saddled with your purchases while you shop? La Roca Village offers a “Hands-Free” service that so while you shop unencumbered, your purchases are collected and stored at reception for pick up when you leave. Need a ride? La Roca Village can arrange a car and driver from the city for you and you friends. Feel the need to rest in solitude or refresh during your shopping excursion? There’s a VIP room for that.

Bottom line: Your average outlet shopping experience this is not. This is outlet shopping on a whole different level.

More information:

www.barcelonaturisme.com

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Once safely (and royally) ensconced in my accommodations at The Goring, I set off to explore a few more of the more interesting names on my roster of Royal Warrant Holders, that grand coalition of people and companies whose products and services buttress the royal patina “By Appointment”.   At the top of my list was a bit of shopping at Fortnum & Mason, which was just recently graced by the first official joint appearance by The Queen, The Duchess of Cambridge (the former Camilla Parker-Bowles) and the Duchess of Cornwall (the former Kate Middleton). Does it really get any more royal?

Known simply as Fortnum’s to regular patrons, this emporium of high delights has supplied the Royal household with the finest wares and treats since a royal footman (Fortnum) opened the store with his friend and landlord (Mason) more than three centuries ago in 1707. From truffles, cheese and tea (specially blended of course) to jewelry, perfume and high fashion, Fortnum’s has served as the thoroughly elegant department store of choice for kings, queens and their titled flock since its inception. Still a fabulous place to be seen after all these years, Afternoon Tea at Fortnum’s remains a treat to all savvy enough to book a reservation.

From Fortnum’s I made my way to Piccadilly and the Princes Arcade to sample the sweet confections of Prestat, which I can only describe as the ultimate sugar rush wrapped up in ribbons of fantasy and stamped with the Royal seal of approval. At more than one hundred years old, this esteemed chocolatier has not only been awarded Royal Warrants by both Her Majesty the Queen and the late Queen Mother, but was also notably a favorite of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory author, Roald Dahl.

Small in area but outsized in whimsy and magic, all manner of chocolate commingles with everything from nuts, caramel and tropical fruit to Champagne, Pink Himalayan Sea Salt and gin in this fantastical little shop where brightly colored packaging embossed with the symbol of the Royal Warrant fills every corner of the space. Meanwhile, the counters are chock full of delicate creations, including a variety of truffles, which the family of Prestat’s original owner, Antoine Dufour, is credited with having created. That’s right…, the very first truffle was the creation of the Dufour family (and perhaps of Antoine himself).  And it was said to be so intoxicatingly delicious that it led Roald Dahl to formally express his predilection for the Dufour’s recipe by declaring “I also adore so-called truffels as Prestat makes them.” With such high praise, is it any wonder then that the Royal court has maintained such a longstanding affection for this precious chocolate shop?

The final stop on my Royal Warrant tour was in the Burlington Arcade at the Victorian era perfumer, Penhaligon’s which like Prestat also holds two Royal warrants from two generations of Royals – one from Prince Phillip and the other from Prince Charles. Venturing through the store is like taking a trip down through the history of scent, particularly as many of Penhaligon’s signature fragrances were created as much as (or more than) a century ago and as such reflect the sensibilities of a different time. If you have a hankering to smell the noblesse oblige of 1902, you need only pick up a bottle of the popular Blenheim Bouquet which made its debut in that year.  Or flash forward a few years and try 1910’s crisp, clean English Fern.

What makes the Penhaligon’s experience special is the uniqueness of the fragrances which stand apart in the world of cookie cutter scents that populate the market today. Anything but ordinary, a Penhaligon’s scent reeks of privilege and good taste and the wearers thereof feel a part of an exclusive club, membership to which can only be achieved by royal appointment, of course.

So again, I ask, ‘Who needs a tiara to live like a royal?”. As a commoner with no lineage to speak of I managed to sleep, eat, shop and even smell like a royal in a single day. And they say, you can’t turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse. Clearly the believers of that old wives tale are most unfamiliar with my favorite new saying ‘When in London, do as the Royals do.”

To find out more about Royal Warrant Holders, visit www.royalwarrant.org.

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Drive past the bustling intersection at the corner of Fountain Avenue and Sunset Boulevard in Silverlake and you might easily miss the recent arrival of Spruce, the Los Angeles edition of one of New York City’s most celebrated and awarded flower boutiques. It is not because it is particularly demure or due to any particular design flaw that Spruce might so easily escape immediate recognition, but instead because the space is so unlike any other floral emporium in the City of Angels. In fact, it is in this very quality of singularity that Gaige Clark, the owner, mastermind and floral artist behind Spruce’s visionary approach to floral design, revels.

For the last 15 years, the originality of Clark’s floral arrangements has been setting the global design community ablaze while simultaneously setting the scene for television shows like Ugly Betty, Ellen, Law & Order and Damages, as well as a who’s who of clients that includes a mix of celebrities, socialites and royals. With two stores in New York and now one in Los Angeles, Clark has, with her unique approach and in her own inimitable way, evolved the art of floral design and the essence of floral boutiques one elegant stem at a time.

“I hate when people say, ‘I’m an artist’, but I feel like I am a creative director and what I do is I create spaces, and then when I create the spaces I put flowers into them,” Clark explained over a glass of Spruce juice, the refreshing signature concoction that welcomes customers into her minimalist chic vision of the world. “This is the most modern store I’ve built and the aesthetic of this store is based on the Getty and homes that I visited in Palm Springs. What I wanted to create was a flower laboratory. I wanted to deconstruct flowers to their essence…like no one’s ever done before.” Check.

There is something absolutely post-modern about Spruce. The white walls of the store are lined with shelves showcasing individual blooms in architectural vases, flowers and leaves submerged in jars and wooden crates packed with perfectly upright, neatly lined rows of roses unfettered by a shred of embellishment. In its sleekness, Spruce represents, in short, the antithesis of the traditional flower franchise and the penultimate in modern. No wonder then that Clark counts among her greatest compliments the words of the writer who after visiting her Silverlake outpost wrote, “…If there was a flower shop in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange it would be Spruce,” a description that is admittedly so fitting it would be difficult to best.

As if revolutionizing the very idea of floral design vis-à-vis her three stores weren’t enough, Clark now has her sights set on so much more. On the horizon is the imminent launch of a Spruce product line that will include bath salts, body lotion, hand soap and an antibacterial countertop spray, in store classes in floral arranging, and a book that will, among other things, explore Clark’s experience of growing up gender queer. There’s also the leather store in Provincetown she hopes to buy and bubbling under plans for Spruce stores in Paris and Japan. Needless to say, Clark is as long on ambition as she is on creativity.

Asked about the source of here seemingly boundless drive, Clark credits her upbringing.  “I have two very charismatic parents,” she explains.  “My mother really, really drove me and my father does standup comedy. He’s so funny. So I think I got humor from him and the ability to be able to look beyond the tragedy in our lives. The key to it I think is laughing at things. That’s why I’ve always been able to say, ‘What’s next?’ You know …you lift yourself up you dust yourself off and accept.”

And then bloom…clearly.

Find out more about Spruce at www.sprucela.com.

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I know that the holidays are supposed to be about family and friends, togetherness and all that jazz, but let’s face it—they really are also all about shopping and the sights and sounds of what is undeniably one of the most magical times of year (for most people anyway). As we head into the final harried shopping days of the season, I thought I’d take you on a tour of some of the best holiday shopping on the planet.

Jermyn Street, London, UK | jermynstreet.net

Make this a more royal holiday with gifts from Jermyn Street, which, along with St. James Street, holds more royal warrants (meaning that its shops supply goods or services to the HRH Queen Elizabeth II) than any other in all of London.

Johann Wanner – Basel, Switzerland | johannwanner.ch

I visited Johann Wanner’s year-round Christmas Wonderland in the middle of the summer and immediately felt like I had been transported dab smack into the heart of the holiday season. Mr. Wanner himself took me on a tour of his Christmas House and the neighboring Christmas Café, which are chock-full of the most whimsical holiday decorations you can imagine.

Madison Avenue, New York, NY  | essential-new-york-city-guide.com/christmas-windows.html

Perhaps the most legendary holiday window-shopping destination in the world, and with good reason.

The Trocadéro Christmas Market, Paris, France | The European Christmas Village “Trocadero On Ice”

Shopping and ice skating with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop—what could be more spectacular?

Zürich Christkindli Market, Zurich, Switzerland | christkindlimarkt.ch

As the largest indoor Christmas market in Europe, Christkindli is filled with holiday cheer, entertainment and more than its fair share of original gift ideas, crafts and delicacies.

Bond Street – Bond Noel, London, UK | bondstreetassociation.com

Unwrap the best the season has to offer along one of London’s chicest boulevards.

Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland | bahnhofstrasse-zuerich.ch

This Christmas, shop the most luxurious brands in the world on the Bahnofstrasse. Since precisely 6 p.m. on Nov. 22, “Lucy”—as the Christmas lights are called—has been switched on for visitors to enjoy all along Zurich’s most famous shopping street. With almost 12,000 crystals containing luminescent white, red and blue LED lights, producing dots of color of varying intensity in the sky, the display lives up to its name “Lucy in the Sky”.
For a complete list of my picks for the best holiday shopping destinations around the globe, visit my World of Christmas Shopping notebook at Springpad.

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