#19 of 100Boutique

Mercer Hotel Barcelona

Barcelona, Cataluña•

•€€€€

“2000 years of history in 28 rooms”

About the hotel

The Mercer Hotel Barcelona is an archaeological excavation turned hotel. Rafael Moneo's renovation integrated the remains of the 1st-century Roman wall, medieval arches and Gothic frescoes into a sober contemporary design. Each room is different, adapted to the building's historic structure.

Nomadiq Pick

The terrace with Gothic Quarter views and rooms with original Roman walls.

Why we love it

The only hotel in the world where you can sleep next to a 1st-century AD Roman wall, with visible remains in the bar, rooms and especially in the Orange Tree Courtyard
The restoration by architect Rafael Moneo, Pritzker Prize winner (architecture's Nobel) and 2012 Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts, achieving the perfect balance between recovered heritage and new construction
The two 14th-century semicircular arches in the atrium, the only ones of their kind in Barcelona, and the 12th-century medieval frescoes discovered during restoration
The 28 unique rooms where each preserves its own hidden treasure: 18th-century wooden ceilings, Roman wall fragments or medieval arches integrated into the design
The terrace crowned by the two watchtowers of the ancient Roman wall, with views of the dome of Santa María del Mar, the Basilica of Sant Just i Pastor and Barcelona Cathedral

Highlights

1 Michelin Key

Excellence distinction

Roman Wall

1st century AD

Rafael Moneo

Pritzker Prize winner

History

Mercer Hotel Barcelona was built over a section of the Roman wall of ancient Barcino, preserving remains from various historical periods of enormous heritage value, including medieval arches and original 12th-century frescoes that were recovered for display and to give an idea of Barcelona's history. It is a unique building with only 28 rooms, but of great historical value to the city because it integrates a part of Barcino's Roman walls, with remains dating from the 1st century AD. The main idea of Rafael Moneo's project was to recover the spatial character of the historic buildings, removing constructions added during the 20th century and highlighting the most interesting elements.

Architecture & Design

Architect

Rafael Moneo (architecture), Lucho Marcial (collaborator)

Construction

100

Restoration

2012

The dialogue between ancient walls and new elements is the heart of this project and the instrument by which today's travelers read part of Barcelona's history. Connecting Lledó street and the Roman walls, a glass courtyard reinforces the public spaces on the ground floor. The rooms adapt to the shape of existing walls. A light construction over the stone unifies them and helps narrate the building's evolution through the centuries. Rafael Moneo achieved a balance between recovered original elements and new construction, most evident in the spectacular curtain wall dominating the space known as the Orange Tree Courtyard. Walking through the hotel's corridors is like being in a cutting-edge modern design gallery, where impeccable modernist furniture and glass panels are housed in an ancient defense tower.

The Surroundings

Cataluña

Mercer Hotel Barcelona is located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, the oldest core of the city. Just steps away are Barcelona Cathedral, the Basilica of Santa María del Mar and Sant Jaume square, the city's political center. The neighborhood's cobblestone streets lead to La Rambla, the Picasso Museum and the Born, one of Barcelona's most vibrant neighborhoods. The location allows exploring 2000 years of history on foot, from Roman remains to Modernista architecture.

Services

Exclusive Experiences

Terrace with Roman Towers

Cocktails or dinner on the hotel terrace crowned by the two watchtowers of the ancient Roman wall, with views of Santa María del Mar, Sant Just i Pastor and the Cathedral.

As preferred

Library with Medieval Frescoes

Reading moment in the library located in the transition between two bastions of the Roman walls, with medieval frescoes discovered during restoration.

As preferred

Orange Tree Courtyard

Relaxation in the inner courtyard with orange trees, ivy-covered stones and natural light, where 1st-century Roman walls integrate into the space.

As preferred

Archaeological Tour

Tour of the hotel's archaeological remains, from the Roman wall to medieval arches and 12th-century frescoes.

1 hour

Accommodation

Deluxe Room

30 m²

Room with its own hidden treasure: a piece of heritage acting as focal point, original 18th-century wooden ceilings and natural wood floors.

Unique heritage element18th-century ceilingsCorian bathroom

Junior Suite

45 m²

Spacious suite with seating area where Roman walls or medieval arches integrate into contemporary design, with preserved exposed wooden beams.

Roman or medieval remainsSeating areaOriginal beams

Suite

60 m²

Suite where 1st-century Roman wall fragments or 14th-century medieval archways form part of the living room or bedroom, combining 2000 years of history with modern comfort.

Integrated Roman wallIndependent living roomMaximum heritage