Murmuri

Situated close to Barcelona’s Las Ramblas, a 19th century building by Catalan architect Enrique Sagnier has been refurbished into a minimalist yet luxurious boutique hotel. Designed with the classic Kelly Hoppen look, Murmuri is a calming and balanced space away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Opened in March of this year, the hotel’s stone façade and large windows stand in harmony with the typical architecture of Rambla de Catalunya. Inside, all 53 guestrooms have been decorated by Kelly Hoppen using a palette of beige, cream, grey and brown hues combined with dark wood furnishings to create a style that will remain contemporary for years to come.

“The clients were familiar with my work and came to me because they wanted the classic Kelly Hoppen look for their hotel,” says the designer. “This meant incorporating signature elements of my work, such as runners on walls, dark wooden floors and furniture and fabrics in a neutral colour scheme. The master suite, bar, restaurant, and entrance hall were infused with accent colours that give it an extra twist, which also works very well with the traditional features of this property,” Hoppen told Sleeper, adding: “I wanted to achieve a very sensual environment, which enables the visitor to escape the buzz of the city for a while and recharge their batteries.”

Kelly Hoppen’s design moves with sophistication between modernity and tradition, playing with neutral colours and rich textures, creating a very personal and feminine style. Mirrors, black oak tables, marble, and chromated steel are some of the representative elements, whilst in terms of textiles, linen and velvet are the most widely used.

The interior design of the ground floor and that of the upper levels follows two clearly and intentionally different lines. The former is theatrical while the latter more subdued with the focus on comfort. Of the 53 guestrooms, 19 are Privilege rooms with balconies, there is one Junior Suite, and one Master Suite. The 70m2 Master Suite is an open plan space with the bathroom and spacious dressing room separated by a sliding oak door. The bed sits in the centre of the suite topped with a neutral linen headboard and a variety of soft furnishings in accent orange. At the foot of the bed is a black oak writing desk while by the bay window is an area to relax with a linen sofa and two crocodile leather armchairs. The final touches are a stone-coloured rug from Hoppen’s own collection, and lamps by Kevin Reilly. The bathroom’s main piece is a rounded silestone bathtub by Italian firm Trentino.

The Junior Suite is the only place in the hotel that uses light coloured oak. A tall cabinet containing the mini-bar divides the sleeping area from the lounge, where a modern round sofa in beige velvet stands out.
On the five floors above, the ceilings form a slight arch and corridors feature illuminated walls covered in painted mesh. All rooms have been decorated to the same specifications based on textile materials in natural hues ranging from cream and dark chestnut, to warm oak. Beds are dressed with Egyptian cotton linen, sumptuous pillows, cushions, and plaids, all part of Hoppen’s collection. The rooms also feature black and white artwork created mostly by Ron van Dongen.

The hotel’s reception is located in the main hall of the building where the original ceiling and marble staircase have been restored. The flooring on the ground level consists of marble and dark oak, with walkways of aubergine carpet leading to the glass lift. The hall flows unhindered towards the bar, Marfil by Murmuri on the right, and Restaurante Murmuri on the left.

Restaurante Murmuri is a bright space thanks to the partly decorated windows that overlook the Passage de la Concepció. Two oversized mirrors create the illusion of even greater space. The colour scheme is fundamentally neutral, with contrasts based on black and white, while the dramatic sofa designed by Kelly Hoppen in burgundy velvet that runs along the right wall provides a colourful touch. Lighting is cleverly placed and consists of lamps made of small metallic chains by the Italian firm Luminara.

Bar Marfil by Murmuri consists two main areas separated by folding screens made from rings of black oak, again designed by Hoppen. Walls are painted in greyish stucco with a golden shimmer, and large lamps made from plasticised mesh by Angelo Design hang low from the ceiling. One wall features a painting by Carla Tarruella, while at the rear end is a collection of black and white pictures by Joan Pla, whose work is also present in the hall and suite.

The Majestic Hotel Group are currently in the process of adding five fully equipped apartments to Murmuri for short and long stay guests.

MURMURI
Rambla Catalunya, 104 – 08008
Barcelona, Spain
Tel: +34 935 500 600
www.murmuri.com

Rooms:    53 rooms and suites
Food:    Restaurante Murmuri
Drink:    Bar Marfil by Murmuri
Facilities:    Meeting Room for 15 people

Words: Catherine Martin

Photography courtesy of Murmuri Barcelona