Transit Studio, the London-based design practice known for its sensitive and context-rich approach, has completed two transformative new hospitality projects at Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa, set along the Catalan coast south of Barcelona.

Bar Tempus - From the earth to the sea

Transit Studio were invited by the hotel initially to work with them to create a destination cocktail bar within the hotel. The hotel is situated in a former Sanatorium that was used to help recovering TB patients from Barcelona, and was converted and opened as a hotel in 2003. They worked through a variety of options to bring a new experience internally as a way of helping to extend their opening season and the potential of the site. The initial arrival at the hotel is based on a strong linear axis from the earth and gardens, through the former chapel (where the new bar is located) out to the sea. They wanted their design to embody this journey.

Taking cues from experiences of the local area and geology, they have rooted the design for the bar and lounge in the local landscape, bringing a warm and palette of earth tones to the design – using rich marble and custom, locally-sourced terrazzo colours to create a new feature cocktail bar, along with pigmented natural plaster. The fabrics are textured and tactile, with two of the patterns chosen as a subtle nod to the local vineyards seen from the air.

The new bar offers a sense of elevated luxury, building on the hotel’s expertise in creating an environment of relaxation, renewal, and revival. These new spaces are perfect for relaxing in front of the fire in the middle of winter, as well as a cool respite from the sun in the middle of summer. They help the transition from day to night within the hotel, and provide a focal and natural meeting point for guests.

La Terrassa del Mar - All Day Restaurant, Wine Room & Buffet: From the land to the sea

After completing the design work for the bar, Transit Studio was asked to look at creating an internal version of the hotel’s all-day restaurant, La Terrassa del Mar. Again, this would help extend the hotel season and provide internal areas for dining outside of the heat in the summer season. They looked at repurposing a long, linear, flexible events space that is perpendicular to the entrance axis to the hotel, sitting between the courtyard garden and the seaside terrace.

Inspired by the local landscape and the beauty of the sea in front of the restaurant, they wanted to bring the colours of the sea and the lush greens of the hotel gardens deep into the heart of the restaurant. They have used a palette from the land to sea with deep blues and greens of the garden, blending into the aquamarine tones of the sea.

Transit Studio opened up the visibility of the space with new arches in the wall, and a fluid and plant-filled space for the feature wine room experience to draw guests into the restaurant. They have broken down the long linear space with a series of terracotta arches, and used a dramatic azure tiled ceiling to bring in the sense of dappled reflections from the sea across the dining room. Sea green tables in custom terrazzo and internal planting complete the journey between sea and landscape.

The all-day restaurant and buffet offer the very best from the local sourced produce and provenance, complementing the space with an exceptional culinary journey, and the new wine room experience will be perfect to get to know a range of regional Spanish wines highlighting the local terroirs.

Both projects draw on the existing architecture of the hotel, adding a new layer to the rich history in a unique site specific response to the design briefs.

“We have been really excited to work on two complementary projects for Le Méridien Ra, already a stunning property, with a fascinating history," states Zoe Masterton-Smith, Founder, Transit Studio. "We loved weaving in our experience of the local area into both design approaches that will add further to the unique guest journey at the property.”

“This project is about more than just design — it’s about transforming how our guests feel within these walls,” adds Conor Cushnahan, General Manager of Le Méridien Ra. “Transit Studio has brought an extraordinary level of thought and creativity, helping us craft a new experience that is relaxed yet refined, and entirely of this place.”

Transit Studio worked with Ed Francis Consulting and Dapple Studio on the brand and service elements. The Spa experience has been completely redesigned and refurbished by Core Essence. All projects have been made possible working with the fantastic on-site team and the Marriott Global team. These projects were led Orka Investments and managed by Okami Hospitality Group. Growland Arquitectura acted as project manager, and Bosch Pascual were the appointed contractors.

This project marks another sophisticated chapter in Transit Studio’s portfolio, which spans hospitality, cultural, and residential projects — all united by a considered, narrative-led approach that balances material richness with spatial restraint.