SLS Hotels & Residences has debuted in Europe with an urban resort on Barcelona's waterfront that promises to bring the brand's signature blend of flamboyant luxe to Catalonia's capital. Olivia Palamountain reports

The 471-room SLS Barcelona opened on April 1, 2025 bang on the seafront in the city's Port Fòrum district, marking a dramatic European debut for the brand renowned for its playful opulence across North America and the Middle East.

Designed through a creative collaboration between AIME Studios, AvroKO, and Rockwell Group, the hotel's aesthetic combines opulent elements with funky touches – from a pink neon-lit entrance runway to rooms featuring oversized headboards, mirrored glass and warm timber accents.

The exterior features a striking undulating façade designed to emulate Mediterranean waves; inside, the property offers six distinct restaurant and bar concepts, three swimming pools, extensive event spaces and an ambitious scale that positions it as a destination unto itself rather than just accommodation.      Each of the hotel's rooms and suites includes a private balcony or terrace, with most offering views across the marina and Mediterranean Sea. Room categories range from standard Delight and Captivate guestrooms to various suites, including the Celestial Suite with its 97-square-metre private rooftop terrace.

The hotel's six dining and drinking venues include Lora, an all-day restaurant featuring a large wood oven and coal-fired grill drawing inspiration from Mediterranean coastal towns. Created in partnership with Studio Paskin, it will serve "a generous, celebratory menu that pays homage to the art of beautiful, seasonal ingredients" including charred flatbreads, slow-cooked meats, and fresh seafood.L'Anxova Divina, an informal tapas bar designed by AvroKO and inspired by Antoni Gaudí's architecture, will offer pinchos and small plates on a seafront terrace, while Deluxe will transform from a stylish café to a sleek lounge bar throughout the day.

Later additions to the property will include Kyara, a post-modern cocktail bar opening in late May that explores "cocktails as aromatic compositions," and Cosmico, a rooftop day-to-night pool bar and club set to open in summer 2025.For events, the hotel offers the 770-square-metre Gala Ballroom featuring "draped red, textured walls and dramatic sky lanterns," capable of hosting up to 600 people. Eight additional event spaces and two foyers provide flexibility for gatherings ranging from business meetings to elaborate celebrations.

The hotel's location at Port Fòrum places it away from Barcelona's busiest tourist areas while remaining within reach of the city's cultural highlights. It sits adjacent to Parc del Fòrum, home to the Primavera Sound festival, with SLS Barcelona serving as the event's official hotel partner.For its launch period, SLS Barcelona is offering Dis-loyalty members a 50% discount on all stays taken between the opening date and July 1, 2025.

A fitness centre and spin studio will be available to guests from opening, with an extensive subterranean spa planned to join the amenities later in 2025.