Gaiarooms, a digital hospitality company, recently opened Sant Adrià Urban Suites, a new 20-room hotel at Carretera de Santa Coloma 76 in Sant Adrià de Besòs. This launch signals a growing trend of hotel investment shifting towards the broader Barcelona metropolitan area. The company focuses on "contactless" rooms, where guests access their accommodation using a code.
The newly inaugurated building features 20 rooms. Nine of these are double rooms, nine are single, and two are adapted for accessibility. Guests also have access to a shared living room and a reception area. This project transformed a previously unused building with garages at the same address.
Ismael Simón, PR Manager for Gaiarooms, spoke about the extensive work involved. He stated, "We made an enormous effort to completely transform the asset." Simón added, "The work took months; it was a very hard job to convert a space not designed for hospitality." He concluded, "The final result has been surprising and reflects very well the type of assets we seek to develop."
Gaiarooms' digitalised model offers significant operational benefits. Simón explained that it "adds an extra layer of profitability to the asset." This approach "allows centralising operations, reducing structure, and operating with much more efficiency than a traditional model." This efficiency helps the company manage its properties effectively.
Strategic Location in Metropolitan Area
Major hotel companies are increasingly looking beyond Barcelona's city centre for new investments. Sant Adrià de Besòs, bordering the Catalan capital, presents a strategic location. Gaiarooms specifically sought a market with "stable demand, good connection, and a more profitable cost structure." This contrasts with the higher costs and operational pressures found in Barcelona's traditional tourist core.
Being close to Barcelona allows quick access to key city areas. However, it avoids the significant operational and cost burdens of the historic centre. Simón noted a rising customer profile. These clients prioritise excellent connectivity and mobility. They often prefer this over staying directly in the city centre. Sant Adrià de Besòs, a municipality within the Barcelona metropolitan area, is home to approximately 37,000 residents. It offers a balance of accessibility and affordability for both businesses and visitors.
Future Expansion Plans
Gaiarooms plans further expansion across the metropolitan area and within Barcelona itself. The company places particular emphasis on neighbouring municipalities. These areas are a "priority" when searching for buildings to convert. Simón confirmed, "We cannot yet specify locations or deadlines." He added, "However, the focus is on areas with high demand where our digitalised model can make operational differences."
The Gaiarooms team believes urban accommodation will increasingly shift towards "Gran Barcelona." They observe that Barcelona city has "a lot of demand, but also enormous pressure on costs and regulation." Meanwhile, well-connected municipalities allow efficient operation without losing appeal. This strategy aims to meet demand while maintaining profitability.
Gaiarooms' Growing Presence
Gaiarooms is establishing itself as a significant player in new accommodation models. This applies both in Barcelona and its surroundings, and nationally across Spain. Simón highlighted Barcelona as "one of the most strategic markets for the group." He stated, "We currently have 11 accommodations in the province." The company intends to "continue growing in both urban accommodation and short- and medium-stay models."
The company's portfolio also includes 300 units under Gaiastays, its co-living brand. Enrique Domínguez, Gaiarooms' founder and engineer, also owns other companies like Réstalo and ElParking. According to recent data, Gaiarooms manages around 1,500 rooms throughout Spain. They project adding another 2,500 rooms within the next two years. This demonstrates a strong growth trajectory for the digital hospitality giant.
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Originally published by Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life. Read original article.
