Renaissance Barcelona Fira

Though modern, the Renaissance Barcelona Fira is unique, blending clean, modern decor with thousands of plants. Rising above the newly built Plaza Europa, it’s one of the tallest buildings in Barcelona, comprising 27 floors rising 110 meters (344 ft). 

Ateliers Jean Nouvel designed the skyscraper-hotel, which actually consists of two towers connected by an open-air walkway that zig-zags up the entire structure. This walkway is covered in lush vegetation, creating a vertical garden. This plant theme runs throughout the entire complex. In fact, in place of conventional rows, the windows are in patterns and shapes reminiscent of palm fronds.

At mid-height, the Palmer restaurant and a cold greenhouse cover the entire floor, serving Mediterranean cuisine amidst hundreds of palm trees. The roof boasts a swimming pool surrounded by yet more palm trees. 

Completed in 2012, the 358-room hotel won the International Highrise Award in 2014.