Following its four-year transformation, Marina Port Vell (MPV), a lovely Spain yacht charter destination, has revealed its newly built state-of-the-art building on site in Barcelona. Guests, captains, as well as crew will enjoy a host of first-class complementary facilities, recognised for their exceptional quality, encapsulated in The Gallery.
The Gallery’s facilities include a dedicated business centre with private meeting rooms, peaceful spa treatment rooms at OneOcean Wellness, alongside a state-of-the-art gym and sundeck complete with daybeds. The spa uses products by Alqvimia, which launched in 1984 as the first natural cosmetics and aromatherapy company in Spain. Captains and crew who visit The Gallery are especially well catered for with their own lounge including a modern, vibrantly designed relaxation area and games room, perfect for unwinding after a long day at sea.
Captain Jamie Whitehead of 50-metre superyacht Septimus says berthing the yacht at Marina Port Vell is akin to having “A big house in what is without a doubt the best city on the Mediterranean coast”. “Apart from the outstanding features, it’s the little details that you notice straight away, like when you come in to berth and hand your power cable over there’s someone there to plug it in for you. I’ve never seen that anywhere else, and it’s just a really nice touch. Like the whole of Barcelona, there is a cultural essence where enthusiasm and creativity prevail.”
OneOcean has developed a full range of concierge services designed and tailored to each individual client, available directly from The Gallery reception. Services include VIP travel, assistance with restaurant bookings and entertainment, personal care and all other lifestyle, business and technical arrangements.
Exclusively designed for Marina Port Vell to complement its marine location by architects Sergi Carulla and Oscar Blasco (SCOB) with the concrete cladding by Catalonian company Escofet, The Gallery, as with OneOcean Club, is designed to reflect the rounded geometry of the hull of a yacht, blending seamlessly into its surroundings.
Occupants of the business centre include bespoke manufacturer of yacht linen, Linen Lintea, cconcierge and marine agency services specialist, BWA Yachting, Crew Placement Services specialist, Elite Crew International and expert insurance brokers, The Pantaenius Group, as well as MIT Bcn, Rivera Lifestyle Management and Y.E.S. Marine Supply.
Florida-based crew recruitment agency Elite Crew International chose the MPV development for its initial move across the pond. “After much research and careful consideration, MPV was selected as our Mediterranean base,” reveals owner and founder Karina Befeld. “As we have seen, Barcelona has become a very desirable and popular yachting destination, so it was an easy decision.”
A location that is brand-new for some, moreover, is old for others. Superyacht agency BWA Yachting is already located in MPV and has been for the past 10 years – not to mention its office further down the road at refit facility MB’92. And what better way to celebrate 10 years in Barcelona and the first-hand experience of the city’s maritime evolution than with a rejuvenation that matches that of the marina itself. “It’s an investment and a statement that we’re going to make the office our headquarters for the country,” says Antonella Della Petra, managing partner at BWA Yachting Spain.
Marina Port Vell will continue its celebrations this year with the anticipated completion of Fisherman’s Quay providing a further seven berths for yachts ranging from 30 metres to 80 metres.