Barcelona’s Cotton House: An architectural gem

Is my first encounter with Marriott’s Autograph Collection group of hotels and will most certainly not be the last one.

Is my first encounter with Marriott’s Autograph Collection group of hotels and will most certainly not be the last one.

Before delving into the fascinating history of the Cotton House in Barcelona, a brief flashback to Savannah Georgia in 2005.

On a picture perfect spring day, the independent hotelier Richard Kessler gave an opening speech in front of his new hotel Mansion on Forsyth Park, the first truly luxury hotel in an historic home built in 1888. During his remarks he indicated the white building where he was born. On another note the former CEO of Days Inn was laying the groundwork for Marriott’s entry into the booming lifestyle hotel market.

Five years later Marriott approached Kessler with a partnership to incorporate seven Kessler Collection properties into its global group of hotels and co-brand under a new as yet, undetermined brand name. Apparently the offer was one that Kessler could not refuse and the Autograph Collection launched in 2010 with Kessler properties forming the bulk of the hotel inventory.

Most of Kessler’s hotels were themed around local culture and the arts each with its own specific identity. Building on those themes, today’s Autograph Collection consists of 102 hotels around the world. According to Amanda Altree, senior director brand marketing at Marriott International, “Autograph is a great opportunity for small hoteliers to introduce their hotels to a worldwide audience.” “It is all about hotels that have an element of distinction.”

When I searched for a smaller boutique type hotel in Barcelona I stumbled across The Cotton House Hotel. Strange name, no? I ventured on to discover an architectural gem and a cultural legacy of Barcelona’s connection with the past. In a city, noted for its architecture, Gaudi’s buildings and parks, this accidental find in Barcelona’s Eixample district was well worth the detour. Previously, the headquarters of the Fundacion Textil Algodonera, or cotton textile foundation. It had been built for a wealthy Catalan family when the textile industry was at its peak and sold to the Cotton Producers Guild in the middle of the 20th Century.

Barcelona is a city which lives and breathes architecture and this 84 room property is a listed landmark, designed by Catalan architect Elies Rogent. The interior design studio, Lazaro Rosa – Violan has revitalized its classically elegant proportions, by setting contemporary furnishings and lighting against the original floor tiles, wood paneling and ceiling frescoes.

From my perspective Barcelona is entirely about art and design, and this hotel is living that design.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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