This is how the History Begins...

In the mid-nineteenth century, a wandering salesman nicknamed "el Feo Malagueño" (the ugly man from Malaga) opened a department store which he called "El Siglo" (the Century) on a plot next to the Academy of Sciences on the Rambla de Santa Mónica. The business later fell into the hands of the "Conde, Puerto y Cía" group, which moved it to the Rambla de los Estudios in 1881.

El Siglo became renowned thanks to the variety and quality of its products, becoming an essential port of call for both the people of Barcelona and visitors to the city. However, on Christmas Day 1932 the building burnt to the ground, leaving behind an empty plot which was subsequently used as a site for circuses and travelling theatre companies.

The disappearance of El Siglo was a great loss to the people of Barcelona. However, by way of compensation it enabled Pintor Fortuny street to be opened on to Las Ramblas. In 1957, construction of the Gran Hotel Manila began; its neoclassical façade survives and is still the hotel's distinguishing feature.

During the 60s the building received the international singers who were acting in the Liceo Barcelona, as well as famous cinematographic stars and national and foreign businessmen. Continuing on this tradition, numerous personalities of the world of the spectacle, culture, politics, or finance have chosen our hotel to stay in Barcelona.

At the end of 80´s the whole internal structure of the hotel was modified to guarantee the highest standard of comfort for the client and the fluid functioning of the hotel management.

In November, 1991, le Méridien came to Barcelona to establish itself and begins a new stage for this emblematic building. Over recent years, has carried out a restructuring in which they have invested 25 million euros, including the refurbishment of all rooms, suites and public areas of the hotel.

ONE NIGHT BARCELONA

WHEN LE MERIDIEN BARCELONA HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED FOREVER

On June 4, 2008, and after ONE NIGHT Montecarlo and ONE NIGHT Miami in 2007, ONE NIGHT came to Barcelona. This is a global series of events that gives Le Méridien hotels a high-level lifestyle that attracts clients of creative spirit, after the brand was acquired by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT).

How? The hotel became a masterpiece of permanent art receiving LM100 group that inaugurated the new initiatives of le Méridien, as well as the newly renewed facilities characterized by an innovative and modern design.