A new week has commenced and I have a new design accommodation tip for you – if you plan a trip to Barcelona you might want to have a look at this fabulous ‘home away from home’: yök Casa + Cultura Barcelona. The Casa yök is something in between a hotel and an airbnb apartment – it has the feeling of a private home in Barcelona, yet it is not inhabited year-round by tenants. Instead the two owners of yök Casa + Cultura, Petz and Mari, run their office on the top floor of the building and act not only as owners but more as friends and easy-going locals who will give you the best tips to experience Barcelona the ‘real way’ – not the way a tourist guide recommends.
yök Casa + Cultura consists of three separate apartments – Casa A and B are for up to four people with two double-bedrooms. And Casa C, the one I was staying in, offers accommodation for up to eight people – thus a perfect place if you travel with a bunch of friends. The manifesto of yök is amazing in itself: yök Casa + Cultura is not only a sustainable and eco-friendly home away from home, it also reflects the real Barcelona of its people, not the mass visited and often tacky Barcelona of tourist guides. It is a home and a social hub to meet with locals and immerse yourself into the real culture and lifestyle of the Catalan metropolis. The rooftop terrace serves as a fantastic get-together point to not only enjoy 360-degrees views of Barcelona, but to mingle with Petz, Mari and other creative locals who are frequent guests at yök Casa + Cultura.
The apartments are another highlight for design aficionados. Impeccably renovated with modern eco-design standards, the Casas offer a realistic idea of beautiful Barcelona homes. The typical flooring in Catalonia is the so-called ‘suelo hidraulico’, a most wonderful mosaic tile flooring from the 19th century. The furnishing is a mix and match collection of vintage finds, heirloom pieces of the owners and modern, eco-friendly design furniture. Everything is made for a typical southern lifestyle: The rooms are light flooded and spacious and the kitchen and living room are welcoming and made for a convivial get-together.
As the name suggests, there is also a ‘Cultura’ part at yök – that means the rooftop office and terrace serve for various local events, mostly rented for cultural events with local creatives. And as a guest of Casa yök you are more than welcome to mingle with the local crowd. That is part of this accommodation’s charm!
So when you’re planning your next Barcelona trip I strongly recommend you consider yök Casa + Cultura as your temporary home. You will not regret being a real Barcelona local for a change. And not a tourist.
Photography by Susanna Vento and Carlos Barruz
9 Comments
that’s beautiful . I love the tiles.
Honestly, the tiles were my personal highlight too. I could not get enought of this sight. Wish I had such an amazing floor in my home too:-)
Beautiful interior! I would be definitely tempted to experience this eco-friendly nest next time I’ll travel to Barcelona!
The real Barcelona, yes please! This place and everything it stands for is right up my alley. And the tiles, Igor, the tiles … sigh!
Don’t even get me there, Lisa!! I loved the tile flooring so much, I could have snapped like dozens of photos just of the tiled flooring…dreamy!
I can’t believe I’ve just booked my trip to Barcelona and then read this! Do you think it’s too late for me to plead for a refund, as I’d much rather stay here?! 😉
Oh I think you should try it – Casa yök is so special and unique. Otherwise try to get to an event hosted on the amazing rooftop terrace instead. You won’t regret it!
Great place! I love the tiles and the view.
Thank you Esther, I love the tiles too and the rooftop view was magnificent. I hope to go back soon!