Casa Vicens, one of Antoni Gaudí’s earliest architectural works, is opening to guests for one night only through Airbnb, complete with a Michelin-starred dining experience.
Barcelona wouldn’t sparkle so brightly without the work of Gaudí. The Catalan architect of La Sagrada Família is synonymous with the city. His colorfully tiled Park Güell and two iconic apartment buildings, Casa Batlló and La Padrera, draw millions of visitors each year. But the one that kicked off Gaudí’s career is Casa Vicens, his first masterpiece, and one of the first buildings to launch the Art Nouveau/Modernisme movement in Europe.
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The master bedroom of Casa Vicens ©David Vilanova
Now, for the first time in Casa Vicens’ 136-year history, guests will be treated to an overnight stay through Airbnb. The once-off experience includes an exclusive tour of the Unesco-listed building and its summer garden; a Gaudí-inspired, Michelin-star menu in the dining room; a nightcap in the smoking room; accommodation in the master bedroom; and a full Mediterranean breakfast in the gardens the following morning. Doors will be closed to the public on the day.
The smoking room where guests will enjoy a nightcap ©David Vilanova
Casa Vicens was commissioned in 1882 by stock and currency broker Manuel Vicens i Montaner, who took a chance on a then 30-year-old Gaudí, who was fresh out of architecture school, to create a summer home for his family. Located in Barcelona’s Gràcia district, the building with its blend of Moorish, neoclassic and Asian-inspired architecture, opened to the public as a museum and cultural space in 2017 after a major restoration project.
Guests will enjoy a full Mediterranean breakfast in the summer garden ©David Vilanova
Booking for the Airbnb/Casa Vicens experience opens at 4pm CEST (10am EST) on July 12, 2021, for a one night stay for a group of two guests this fall (the exact date is yet to be revealed). Bookings are on a first come first served basis. For more information, or to book, see here.
Spain opened its borders in June to all vaccinated travelers.
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