Situated inside a building with a neoclassical façade on La Rambla, the city's busiest boulevard, Le Méridien Barcelona is in the middle of all the action. Located just minutes from the Gothic Quarter, the chic El Born neighborhood, and several oflegendary Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí's treasured structures, the hotel alsoholds a collection of contemporary art, most of which is inapired by theCatalan capital that it calls home.

Walk through the hotel's colorful transparentrevolving entrance and notice "Landscapes Without Memory," a collage ofphotographs of Barcelona by conceptualist artist Joan Fontcuberta, a city native and member of LM100, Le Méridien's global community of creatives.

Continue to the reception desk, and find two abstract paintings  hanging onthe wall behind it. Chen Wenbo's "King" and "Queen" depict identical drops of splashing colored liquid, the red piece on the left representing the crown of a "queen," the blue oneon the right representing the "king."

After checking in, walk towards the elevator,and in the spiral staircase you'll see a string of iron plates, originally intended to serve as chicken feed bowls. Spanish sculptor Jaume Amigó collectedthem when he moved into the farm he uses as a studio and created the 82-footsculpture titled "Gaudi Soup," which dangles from the hotel's top floor down tothe ground. Stare into the mirror located at its base and notice its strikingresemblance to the towers of Gaudí's Sagrada Familia. Amigóbased the form on the scale models the city's most famous architectbuilt as a study.

When you need a break from your hotel room,go to Le Méridien Hub, a gathering place for creative minds to meet, work,and learn. View historical images in 3D with an antique stereoscope, doodle onthe chalkboard surface vases, flip through magazines and art books, or stare atthe latest video art installation on the wall. Even the pattern on square shapes on thecarpet of Le Méridien Barcelona is an ode to the city, representing the planeof its Eixample neighborhood. Le Méridien Barcelona provides creativestimulation, luxury accommodation, and exceptional service in one package —with easy access to Barcelona's museums, Liceo Opera House, and more.

Click on the photo gallery at left to see artworks in Le Méridien Barcelona.

LE MERIDIEN BARCELONA
LA RAMBLA 111
BARCELONA
+34-93-318-6200

OTHER THINGS TO DO IN BARCELONA:

EAT
CENT ONZE
Located on the ground floor of Le MéridienBarcelona, Cent Onze serves up contemporary Spanish cuisine in a stylishsetting overlooking La Rambla. Begin your day with a Jean-Georges Vongerichten "Eye Opener" shot (your choice of flavor, from cherry lemon black pepper to mango chili lime) at the tasty breakfast buffet before choosing from disheslike churros and chocolate to omelets and bacon. For dinner, start with aseafood soup served with cuttlefish croquettes and cream cheese before an entrée like roasted lamb shoulder with eggplant purée and green apple. Round your meal off with a Catalan crème caramel.         
LA RAMBLA 111
BARCELONA
+34-93-318-6200

SEE
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART BARCELONA
As part of its "Unlock Art" program, LeMéridien Barcelona gives guests passes to the city's contemporary art museum.See MACBA's permanent collection, which includes works by Joan Miró and PabloPicasso, or catch "Between the Frames: The Forum (Barcelona)" by AntoniMuntadas, a compilation of his interviews with dealers, gallery owners,collectors, museum directors, guides, critics, and media specialists from thattime period, on view until April 30, 2012.
PLAÇA DELS ANGELS 1
BARCELONA
+34-93-412-08-10

SHOP
SANTA EULALIA
Established in 1843, this storied departmentstore carries the finest labels in menswear and womenswear, like Céline,Rodarte, Lanvin, and Bottega Veneta. On October 11 the department store willdisplay a collection of the Duke of Windsor's suits, including the one he woreat his wedding to Wallis Simpson.
PASSEIG DE GRACIA 93
BARCELONA
+34-932-150-674