The Mandarin Oriental Barcelona has reopened its doors this Friday after a year of shutdown, which only had a break last summer with the opening of the terrace. This five-star hotel on Paseo de Gràcia has now returned offering its 120 rooms, the spa, and the Blanc restaurant, with a bar and menus by chef Carme Ruscalleda, designed for weekday meals or for weekends.
"It was the opportune moment to reopen. We were prepared on several occasions since June and each time we had to change our minds due to circumstances, changes in restrictions, increases in contagions, the second wave, the third... Although restrictions are still quite high in Barcelona, I think it was time to do it," remarks the hotel's general manager, Jean Philippe Moser. The executive has held the position since the end of September and has 14 years of experience in this hotel group, after having spent ten years in Hong Kong and almost four in Marrakech.
For now, the opening has gone well for them. On the first day of operation, they already had 15 rooms occupied and have filled all three shifts for meals at the Blanc restaurant this weekend, including Friday, taking into account the limited indoor capacities. Most of the clients who have chosen to spend a few days at the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona are expatriates, whether residents in the same city or other parts of Spain.
In the coming weeks, the hotel will expand its offer, also opening the Moments restaurant, which has two Michelin stars and is led by Ruscalleda, and the terrace, a proposal directed by chef Gastón Acurio that is awaiting good weather. The establishment's strategy is to go slowly, controlling costs and seeing what customers want, and not having to backtrack, closing certain spaces depending on restrictions or demand.
"I am very positive and optimistic," says Moser. "Opening a hotel takes time. You can't do it and have everything working the next day. Opening now with restrictions still in Barcelona is done more with an eye on tomorrow, Easter, and early summer, rather than strictly focusing on today," he adds.
The Mobile, the starting gun
Holy Week presents itself as a test to see the national public's desire to travel and summer will begin with the Mobile World Congress (MWC). "It will be the starting gun for a fantastic summer," he points out, emphasizing that it continues to be a very important source of income, despite being held in a more reduced version.
To face the summer season, the general manager of Mandarin Oriental Barcelona believes that a certain unification of criteria at a European level is needed, establishing shared rules on which coronavirus tests should be done and for how long they are valid or health passports. He does not hesitate to warn of the dangers that the hotel sector may face if another summer passes without being able to receive tourists beyond those from the local market. And he also has it clear: Barcelona has a high chance of being the big choice for European neighbors if borders open.