The Sant Felip Neri plaza is part of the Call, the old Jewish quarter of Barcelona. It can only be accessed by two alleys from Calle del Bisbe, where the entrance to the cathedral's cloister is located.

It is well worth stopping to view the baroque façade of Sant Felip Neri church or to listen to the sound of the fountain in the centre of the plaza. It is hard to believe that it is just five minutes walk from the Ramblas.

To make the most of this timeless feeling, your best option is the Hotel Neri. Accessed via Calle de Sant Sever, it is housed in an 18th century mansion which has been fully renovated and restored. Since it is in a pedestrian-only area it can only be accessed by taxis or hotel vehicles that transfer guests to the El Prat airport.

À la carte bed linen 

Above the headstocks of the 22 rooms hang paintings grouped by themes: Renaissance on the first floor, floral on the second and horizons on the third. Guests can choose from a surprising and interesting á la carte menu of bed linen and pillows, and are offered massages in their rooms. The balcony has views of the cathedral and the roofs of the gothic quarter, a privileged view of a city that few have access to.

The other gems of the hotel are its restaurant and library. The latter has a selection of design and fashion magazines, travel guides and novels by the best Catalan authors. All of the literature has a common denominator: Barcelona.

The Neri also cares for the senses, particularly smell and hearing. An aroma blending fresh lavender and mimosa, exclusive to the hotel, fills its grounds thanks to the essences, candles and soaps, as does soft relaxing music from the cultures that inhabited the hotel in centuries past.

To get to know the centre of Barcelona a little better 

From the Sant Felip Neri plaza there are several routes to discover Barcelona's attractions on foot. It is very near Plaza de Sant Jaume, where the Town Hall, the Palau de la Generalitat, the Cathedral and the city's Museo de Historia are found. Across the Vía Laietana, you must make the effort and visit the very crowded Museo Picasso.

After browsing the shops of Portal de l´Àngel and Portaferrissa, you can finish up in a pretty and romantic restaurant. Els Quatre Gats outstanding thanks to its modernist decor and history: it was one of the meeting places for intellectuals of the early 20th century. At Senyor Parellada you can try the best Catalan cuisine such as the escudella  and carn d’olla stews. If you are however, a fan of Asian food or you want to try something different,  Shunka (tel.: 934 124 991, recommended by the Repsol Guide) is the best Japanese restaurant in the city.