Barcelona to the Priorat: A Twin-Centre Relais & Châteaux Journey Through Catalonia
Catalonia is one of those regions that genuinely defies easy description. It is a place of extraordinary contrasts, a world-class city that pulses with art and architecture, and just an hour and a half away, a wild and secretive wine country that most of the world is only just beginning to discover.
I have spent a great deal of time getting to know Catalonia deeply, both as a traveller and through the professional relationships I have built over the years with the properties that, in my view, represent it best. As a preferred partner of Relais & Châteaux, I have had the privilege of experiencing these hotels from the inside: meeting the teams, understanding what makes each property truly exceptional, and building the kind of personal connections that make all the difference when it comes to planning a stay for my clients.
Two properties, in particular, sit at the heart of this journey. Together, they offer one of the most perfectly balanced twin-centre itineraries I can imagine anywhere in Europe — the energy of a great city followed by the profound, restorative quiet of one of Spain's most beautiful wine regions.
If you would like to explore a bespoke Catalonia itinerary, get in touch with Me to start planning.
Hotel Neri, Gothic Quarter, Barcelona
Two Hotels and Why 2026 Is the Year to Go
Before we get into the detail of each property, it is worth pausing on the moment we find ourselves in. 2026 is not a normal year for Barcelona. This is the centenary of Antoni Gaudí's death, and the city has been officially declared the World Capital of Architecture 2026 to mark it. Over 1,500 events and 200 cultural programmes are taking place throughout the year — a once-in-a-generation celebration of the architect whose vision defines the city as we know it.
It is one of the reasons why, if you have ever thought about visiting Catalonia, there has never been a better time than now.
The two Relais & Châteaux properties at the heart of this journey are:
Hotel Neri — a beautifully intimate boutique hotel in the heart of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter
Gran Hotel Mas d'en Bruno — a spectacular five-star estate nestled in the vineyards of the Priorat wine regionHow far in advance should you book to see Japan’s cherry blossoms?
Hotel Neri, Barcelona
The Hotel
There are many places to stay in Barcelona, but very few that place you so completely inside the soul of the city. Hotel Neri occupies a beautifully restored medieval palace in the Gothic Quarter, steps from the ancient Plaça de Sant Felip Neri and within a short walk of the cathedral, the Picasso Museum and the vibrant streets of El Born.
It is a small hotel — which is precisely what makes it so special. Sixteen rooms and suites, each one individually designed, with original stone walls, dark wood beams and a refined aesthetic that feels deeply rooted in the history of the building. The rooftop terrace is one of the most peaceful spots in the entire city, and the restaurant, with its Gothic stone arches and carefully sourced Catalan menu, is exceptional.
Hotel Neri is the kind of place that makes you feel as though Barcelona is yours — not shared with the city's millions of visitors, but intimate, personal and entirely your own.
Why Stay Here
An incomparable location in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, away from the tourist noise
Sixteen individually designed rooms in a beautifully restored medieval palace
A rooftop terrace that is among the finest spots in Barcelona
The perfect base from which to experience the city during Gaudí Year 2026
To secure your stay at Hotel Neri during Gaudí Year 2026, get in touch with Me — rooms book quickly and early planning is essential.
2026 The Gaudí Year: Why Barcelona Has Never Been More Exciting
If you visit Barcelona in 2026, you will be witnessing something genuinely historic. This year marks exactly one hundred years since the death of Antoni Gaudí on 10 June 1926 - an anniversary so significant that the Spanish and Catalan governments have declared it an Event of Exceptional Public Interest.
The headline event is the long-awaited completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família at 172.5 metres, the tallest church tower in Europe, and the most significant milestone in the basilica's 144-year construction history. A solemn mass and inauguration ceremony is planned for 10 June 2026, the centenary of Gaudí's death.
But the celebrations extend far beyond one building:
The Gaudí International Congress (June, La Pedrera): A major academic and cultural event gathering architects and thinkers from around the world to examine Gaudí's legacy
Casa Batlló: 'Hidden Order' (January–May): A spectacular immersive exhibition by United Visual Artists exploring the hidden geometries of Gaudí's architecture through light and technology
Park Güell Photography Exhibition (May–December): A beautiful exhibition revealing the lesser-known details Gaudí wove into this iconic park
Sagrada Família Exhibition at Palau Robert (April–July): Tracing 144 years of the basilica's shared journey with the city of Barcelona
UIA World Congress of Architects (Late June–July): Barcelona becomes the global meeting point for architecture, coinciding perfectly with the Gaudí centenary
Jordi Savall Concerts at Torre Bellesguard (September): The celebrated conductor performs at one of Gaudí's most intimate and least-visited buildings
For those who love architecture, design, culture and the history of cities, 2026 is quite simply unmissable.
If you would like to plan a trip to Barcelona around the Gaudí centenary events, get in touch with Me to discuss the best timing and how to access the most sought-after experiences.
What to Do in Barcelona
Beyond the Gaudí programme, Barcelona rewards deep, unhurried exploration.
The Gothic Quarter and El Born: The ancient streets immediately surrounding Hotel Neri repay long, aimless wandering. Every alleyway has a story, and the neighbourhood has some of the city's finest small restaurants, independent boutiques and hidden squares
The Picasso Museum: One of the world's great collections of Picasso's early work, housed in a series of medieval palaces just moments from Hotel Neri
Casa Batlló and La Pedrera: Two of Gaudí's greatest residential masterpieces on the Passeig de Gràcia — both extraordinary at any time of year, but particularly special during 2026
Park Güell: Best experienced early in the morning, before the day-trippers arrive — the views over the city are incomparable
The Palau de la Música Catalana: A dazzling Modernista concert hall by Domènech i Montaner — attending a performance here is one of the finest cultural experiences Barcelona offers
El Born Market and surroundings: A beautifully restored 19th-century iron market, now an archaeological site and cultural space, surrounded by some of the city's best bars and restaurants
Where to Eat in Barcelona
Disfrutar: Widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in the world, a genuinely extraordinary tasting menu experience in the Eixample
Bar del Pla (El Born): A beloved local favourite for Catalan tapas and natural wines, always buzzing, always excellent
El Xampanyet: A legendary cava bar in El Born, as good for a mid-afternoon glass as it is for supper
Barcelona is one of the world's great food cities, and I can help you secure reservations at the restaurants that matter most. Get in touch with Me to start planning your stay at Hotel Neri.
Gran Hotel Mas d'en Bruno, Priorat
Gran Hotel Mas d'en Bruno, Priorat
The Hotel
An hour and a half south of Barcelona, the landscape changes entirely. The motorway gives way to mountain roads, and the mountain roads give way to something that feels almost otherworldly, terraced vineyards carved into the steep slopes of the Priorat, ancient hilltop villages of honey-coloured stone, and a sky that seems wider and deeper than anywhere else in Catalonia.
This is one of Spain's most celebrated wine regions, and at its heart, literally within the vineyards themselves, sits Gran Hotel Mas d'en Bruno.
The estate has more than five centuries of history, and its transformation into a world-class luxury hotel is nothing short of remarkable. Twenty-four suites are spread across two beautifully restored buildings, each one immaculate and deeply comfortable, with terraces looking out across the vines and the Montsant mountains beyond. The infinity pool, flanked by private cabanas with their own steps directly into the water, is one of the most spectacular I have encountered anywhere. The spa draws on the region's deep connection to the vine, with vinotherapy treatments that feel entirely at home in this setting.
In July 2024, it was named the sixth best resort in the world by Travel + Leisure and having visited, I can say that distinction is entirely deserved.
Why Stay Here
24 exquisite suites in a 500-year-old Catalan estate, surrounded by vineyards
An infinity pool that is genuinely among the finest in Europe
Exceptional dining at Vinum, a Michelin Guide-recognised restaurant showcasing the produce and wines of the Priorat
Vinotherapy spa in the original wine press of the farmhouse
The ideal base for exploring one of Spain's most exciting and undervisited wine regions
Gran Hotel Mas d'en Bruno is one of the most exciting hotel openings in Spain in recent years, and places are in high demand. Get in touch with Sarah to plan your Priorat escape.
Dining at Gran Hotel Mas d'en Bruno
Vinum is the hotel's gastronomic restaurant, serious and beautiful experience with tasting menus that celebrate the ingredients and wines of the Priorat with real precision and elegance, recognised in the Michelin Guide 2025. For something more relaxed, Tarraco serves Mediterranean dishes at the poolside terrace, making use of the hotel's own organic kitchen garden. The wine cellar is exceptional, and the private tasting experiences offered here, guided by experts who know the region intimately, are among the finest ways to understand what makes Priorat wine so extraordinary.
Wine Tasting in the Priorat — Perinet and Beyond
The Priorat produces wines of genuine world standing, and the chance to visit the vineyards that make them is one of the most memorable things you can do from the hotel.
Perinet is one of the great estates of the region. A beautiful property where the combination of old-vine Grenache and Carignan with the region's unique llicorella slate soils produces wines of extraordinary complexity and depth. A visit to Perinet, with a guided tasting among the vines, is an experience I recommend to every client who comes here.
Beyond Perinet, the broader Priorat and neighbouring Montsant region are dotted with small, passionate producers, many of whom welcome visitors by appointment and offer some of the most authentic and personal wine experiences you will find anywhere in Spain.
If a wine-focused Priorat itinerary appeals, I can build a bespoke programme around the very best vineyard visits and tastings. Get in touch with Sarah to find out more.
The Monastery of Escaladei
A short drive from the hotel, the Cartoixa d'Escaladei, founded in 1194, is the oldest Carthusian monastery in the Iberian Peninsula and one of the most atmospheric sites in the entire region. It was the Carthusian monks who first brought systematic winemaking to the Priorat in the 12th century, and the ruins of their monastery, set against the dramatic cliffs of La Morera de Montsant, carry that weight of history in every stone. It is a genuinely moving place to visit.
What Else to Do in and Around the Priorat
Hiking and e-biking through Montsant Natural Park: The landscape immediately surrounding the hotel is extraordinary, and exploring it on foot or by e-bike through the park is one of the best ways to understand the scale and beauty of the region
The hilltop villages: Falset, Torroja del Priorat and Porrera are among the most beautiful small villages in Catalonia — each one with its own wine bars, local restaurants and unhurried rhythm
Siurana: A tiny village perched on the edge of a dramatic cliff above a turquoise reservoir, one of the most startling sights in all of Catalonia, and well worth the detour
Where to Eat Near the Priorat
Quatre Molins (Falset): A sophisticated restaurant with a menu that reads like a love letter to the Priorat — spider crab brioche, smoked eel with hazelnut and blackberry, and a truffle menu in season that is quite extraordinary
Brots (nearby): Just twelve covers and a succession of wow moments — book well in advance
To build a Priorat itinerary around Gran Hotel Mas d'en Bruno and the very best of the region, get in touch with Me.
The Twin-Centre Itinerary: The Perfect Pairing
What makes this particular combination so compelling is the balance. These are two destinations that feel completely different in landscape, pace, and character, yet together they tell a coherent and deeply satisfying story about Catalonia.
Barcelona — Hotel Neri (3–4 nights) → Priorat — Gran Hotel Mas d'en Bruno (3–4 nights)
You arrive in Barcelona and immerse yourself in one of the world's great cities, the architecture, the culture, the food, the extraordinary energy of the Gaudí centenary in 2026. Hotel Neri places you right at the heart of it, in the oldest and most beautiful part of the city. And then, when you are ready to exhale, you drive south into the silence of the Priorat, vineyards, ancient monasteries, world-class wine and the deep pleasure of a landscape most people have never heard of.
The contrast is the point. The transition from city energy to vineyard calm is one of the most satisfying in European travel.
Gran Hotel Mas d'en Bruno also works beautifully as a standalone escape. A long weekend in the Priorat, using Barcelona as your arrival city, is a genuinely restorative trip in its own right and ideal for those who want to step entirely off the beaten track without a long-haul journey.
To start building your personalised Barcelona and Priorat itinerary, get in touch with Me.
When to Visit
Both destinations are excellent year-round, but certain times reward the traveller particularly well.
Spring (April–June) is my preferred time. Temperatures in Barcelona typically sit between 18–25°C, the city is lively without being overwhelming, and the Priorat landscape is lush and green after the winter rains. In 2026, spring carries additional weight with the concentration of Gaudí Year events around 10 June makes it a truly exceptional moment to be in Barcelona.
Autumn (September–October) is especially compelling for wine lovers. The Priorat vendimia (harvest) takes place across these two months, and experiencing the region when the vineyards are in full activity, with the scent of fermenting grapes in the air and the vines turning gold, is something quite special.
Summer (July–August) is warm and vivid, with long evenings and the Priorat at its most dramatic. Barcelona is busier, but the Priorat remains wonderfully quiet.
Winter in Catalonia is mild and beautiful, particularly in Barcelona, where the cultural calendar is rich, the hotels are at their most relaxed, and the city feels entirely your own.
Whenever you're thinking of travelling, I can help you find the perfect timing. Get in touch with Me to discuss your ideal dates.
Why Book Through a Preferred Relais & Châteaux Partner
The Difference Between Booking a Hotel and Booking It Well
There is a difference between knowing a hotel's name and knowing a hotel. That difference is everything when it comes to planning a truly exceptional stay.
As a preferred partner of Relais & Châteaux with a long-standing relationship with the collection, I work directly with the people at these properties. I know the general managers, the heads of hospitality, the teams on the ground. I have sat with them, eaten their food, talked about what their hotels do brilliantly and what their guests love most. Those are not relationships you can replicate through an online booking engine, and they are not connections that appear in a confirmation email.
For my clients, this translates directly into their experience: preferred rates and room upgrades where available, early check-in and late check-out where possible, meaningful touches on arrival that reflect who you are and a genuine advocate, both me and someone at the hotel itself, who has your trip in mind from first enquiry to final departure.
But beyond the practical benefits, I believe the human element is what truly matters. Luxury travel at its finest is about the people as much as the places and when I recommend these hotels, I am doing so as someone who has invested time in understanding them deeply, and in building the relationships that ensure my clients are looked after in the way they deserve.
To plan your Barcelona and Priorat journey with the benefit of those personal connections, get in touch with Me and let's start building something exceptional.