The luxury hotel chain SLS lands in Sant Adrià de Besòs

With an undulating facade that evokes the waves of the Mediterranean, SLS Barcelona presents itself as the first project of the SLS Hotels & Residences brand in Europe. The hotel, which will officially open its doors on April 1, wants to be much more than just accommodation: it aims to become a social hub, a space open to both visitors and locals, revitalizing the area with new cultural and entertainment proposals.

Located in Port Fòrum, an area that until now has maintained a discreet profile within the tourist circuit, SLS Barcelona is defined as an urban resort with 471 rooms and suites, event spaces, and an international level entertainment offering. The hotel is committed to a natural integration with the urban environment, fostering synergies with the neighborhood and actively contributing to the economic and social revitalization of Sant Adrià de Besòs.

Putting Sant Adrià on the map

The project in Port Fòrum comes at a key moment for the Catalan town, which seeks to redefine itself as a prominent point of interest. For decades, this area has been primarily residential and a transit point, failing to compete with Barcelona's tourist and cultural offerings. In this sense, the Councilor for Sustainable Territory, José Antonio Gras, highlights that the new hotel will have a positive impact for various reasons, both urbanistic and economic.

"The opening of a hotel of this type will help us to dignify a space that, being surrounded by various infrastructures, has remained a residual space. This is something we are trying to change," explains Gras. The councilor also emphasizes the economic impact, as Sant Adrià will now have almost 1,000 rooms, thanks not only to this opening but also to that of the Tembo Barcelona hotel in the La Mina neighborhood.

"We do not want to focus all economic activity on tourism or on a single tourism model," Gras points out. "But it is true that it will help to revitalize the area, to generate more economic activity, also in the port, and will allow us to diversify." Furthermore, he stresses that, thanks to the hotel's profile, tourist activity in Sant Adrià and its surroundings will remain active throughout the year, avoiding seasonality, as it will also host congresses and events.

A place to be seen

Nacho Rodríguez, general manager of SLS Barcelona, highlights that "the opportunity to create a new-build hotel of this scale and ambition in an urban environment is extremely rare. We are very proud to open the first SLS in Europe in such a privileged location." Furthermore, he emphasizes that local culture and design resonate with "the brand's sense of theatricality and extravagance."

This concept of "immersive extravagance" is key for SLS, which seeks to combine the elegance of a grand hotel with a disruptive atmosphere. "In an environment where luxury is often associated with minimalism, we propose an immersive world inspired by culinary art, luxurious interiors, touches of subversive design, and unexpected pleasures," explains Rodríguez, adding: "SLS is, at all times, a place to see and be seen, where you never know who might be in the next room, and where guests have exclusive access to renowned artists, both day and night."

Gastronomy plays a central role in this experience, with six restaurant and bar concepts under the direction of culinary director, Juan Gómez. Among them, Rodríguez highlights Lora, "an elegant restaurant inspired by the fusion of the Mediterranean and Middle East, with natural light and spectacular views of the Mediterranean," developed in collaboration with the award-winning Studio Paskin. The offering is completed with the tapas bar Bar L'Anxova Divina, the Deluxe bar, the Cosmico club, and an impressive 800-square-meter ballroom.

In addition, SLS Barcelona joins Ennismore's Dis-loyalty membership program, alongside hotels like The Hoxton, which already boasts over 100 hotels and 180 global restaurants. "SLS Barcelona could not be missed. There has never been a better time to be Dis-loyal," he explains.

Looking to the future

The opening of the new establishment is not only a hotel milestone but a key piece within a much more ambitious plan to transform the geography of the area. "A hotel of this type will help us dignify the space, open the city to the sea, and improve connections," says Gras, highlighting how current infrastructures ---such as train tracks and the Ronda Litoral--- limit mobility and accessibility of the spaces.

Furthermore, SLS Barcelona could be the starting point for a much deeper change in Sant Adrià. "It will also allow us to exert pressure to achieve our main long-term objective, which is the cessation of activity and the relocation of the Tersa waste incineration plant, currently an environmental sacrifice zone," adds Gras.

With this opening, SLS Barcelona not only inaugurates a new hospitality space, but also participates in an urban and social transformation that aims to redefine the Catalan town as a destination where quality of life, innovation, and excellence go hand in hand.