PURITY. White calla lilies and white sculpture make a corner interesting at Hotel Arts Barcelona.

AT THE HOTEL ARTS BARCELONA lobby, a continuous array of glass vases displays white roses submerged in clear water.

OYSTER SHELLS. Oyster shells, given a shimmery finish, are formed into a bouquet atop a tall arrangement resting on one side in the lobby.

If fashion has haute couture, and food haute cuisine, floral styling must now have its counterpart where high design is concerned. More and more, flower arrangements are becoming an art that helps define the design statement of a place.

At the chic Hotel Arts Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain, we noted, on a recent trip, how the flower arrangements in the lobby, in the food and beverage outlets—indeed, everywhere in the hotel—inevitably were the visual focus. Their elegant arrangements helped anchor the design elements of the room.

What was striking was how these floral arrangements everywhere in the hotel hewed to an integrated design concept—in the selection of blooms (white) and vessels (transparent or clear glass or geometric-shaped metal).

The flowers enhanced the modern and clean design and architecture of Hotel Arts Barcelona.

Overlooking the Mediterranean, Hotel Arts Barcelona was built in 1992 to coincide with the Olympic Games. It is in the heart of modern Barcelona, yet is only a stroll away from the historical center, and a 20-minute drive from Barcelona airport.

SHIMMER. White blooms are a foil to the shimmer of the vessels.

Designed by the acclaimed architect Bruce Graham of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the Hotel Arts is on the Port Olimpic, next to the marina and Barcelona’s famous beaches, bars, cafés and seafood restaurants.

The luxury hotel is now a landmark, a part of Barcelona’s contemporary renaissance. Its design is of this century—44 stories of blue glass and exposed steel looming on the seafront. Its façade combines clean transparency and pattern.

The hotel has terraced gardens, 483 sea or city view rooms, five restaurants offering fine cuisine and an exclusive collection of Spanish contemporary art displayed in strategic areas of the property, from the gardens to the room corridors.

This Barcelona visit was arranged by Spain Tourism Board, with the carrier Singapore Airlines. SIA is promoting Barcelona as the entry point to Spain, given its interesting and historic landmarks (the famous Sagrada Familia and designs of Gaudi), restaurants and shopping that easily connect to the Filipino travelers. It’s only a two-hour-and-45-minute train ride to Madrid. TSS

For details, e-mail Singapore Airlines at [email protected]