The opening of the hotel in 2001 saw the former Victorian Eye Infirmary take on new lease of life as Hotel Barcelona. The building is no stranger to awards, built as the result of a national design competition, it has since won a number of very prestigious titles including Design Hotel of the Year.

Inspired by the city of Barcelona, the design for the hotel was to recreate the feel of the place rather than to copy it. Here and there however, there were a few echoes of the city in the ironwork, handrails and balustrades.  The original marble terrazzo floors helped create this Mediterranean experience, as did the iconic John Eaves mural in Cafe Paradiso – vibrant and strong colours dominating the light filled space.

Kino, the award winning cocktail bar with its passionate team of mixologists has been a firm favourite with the local Exeter crowd.  Originally the Out Patients Department, it proved to be a challenge to convert but worth the effort!

In October 2006 the Alias group was purchased by the UK hotel arm of Swire Properties, with the intention to move the hotel into it’s next phase. Since that time work has been underway planning and creating a vision for the hotel, and in Autumn 2008 planning permission was granted for 15 new bedrooms, along with total refurbishment of the iconic property. The innovative design takes into account the local architecture, the beauty of the area and the need for a new approach to conservation and sustainability.

We hope to give you the first insights into the hotel during its metamorphosis, and would welcome your stories (and pictures) from this much loved hotel, which we will regularly post on the site to share.

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