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TRAVEL

Originally published on Monday, 29 September 2008

Field of Dreams

Ever since the meteoric resurgence of El Born, developers have been eyeing Raval hungrily. "Build it and they will come." Or so they hope.

Whilst hipsters may be spotted around Betty Ford and Café Le Swing, and those looking for a late night tipple at the likes of Kentucky, judging by the empty mid-week tables at La Veronica, the 'hood is still far from mainstream. So what's with building a hotel, smack in the middle of it?

In contrast to the other high profile hotel project in the area - the five-star grand luxe Bagués opening next year opposite the 1898 - the Barceló Raval has opened amidst all the beer sellers and Pakistani cricket players on Rambla del Raval.

And in line with every other hotel opening these days, they aspire to attract the locals - not the knife-carrying ones lurking down the side streets, we assume - with a hip bar-restaurant, this one called B Lounge and with 360 degree views of the city.

They've even called in Antonio Bellés of London's “famous” Lola Rojo restaurant - a competent enough tapas place located in the outskirts of suburban Clapham - to help. Needless to say, we hope he's since acquired more street smarts than his restaurant has "fame".

Barceló Raval - now open
Rambla del Raval 17-19, Raval - 93 320 1490
Rooms from EUR 120

by AAl

 

Discuss (1 posts)

Campo de sueños
2010-05-28 03:36:47
Hace tiempo escuche de unos pajaros que meterian un tramvia por la rambla del Raval, Haha! nose si es cierto, pero la verdad esque en los ultimos años el Barrio no ha parado de cambiar, tanto en reformas de calles, edicios, nuevos bares antros modernos.. antes los únicos que se atrevian a comprarse un piso en el raval eran imigrantes o trabajadores de la zona, ahora se vienen a vivir los niños de papa que van de dejados, guiris, mucha gente joven.
Yo que he nacido en el barrio, viviendo en la calle picalquers y ahora en la calle hospital ,desde mi balcon, he notado el cambio.
Antes, cuando salia a observar el ambiente por la noche, muchas veces veia a gente corriendo, gritando, peleandose.. pocas veces reinaba la calma. Pero entonces organizaron aquel macrobotellon de la Rambla del Raval (nose porque motivo se organizó, pero se lleno de gente) y yo creo que fue a partir de eso cuando los jovenes del Eixample y otros barrios de Barcelona cogieron la confianza y vieron que el Raval es un buen sitio para tajarla y meterse de lo que sea.

PD:Los carteristas del Raval lo tienen algo mas chungo desde que en las calles pasan cada cuantos minutos un coche de los mossos.
Eso si, personajes en el Barrio mas centrico de Barcelona nunca faltaran.
#130

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