A dual intervention redefining hospitality at Le Méridien Ra through local materials, architectural storytelling, and Mediterranean atmospheres.
Overlooking the Mediterranean coastline in Calafell, Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa begins a new chapter in its history with the transformation of two key spaces: the cocktail bar Bar Tempus and the all-day restaurant La Terrassa del Mar. The project is signed by Transit Studio, the London-based design firm known for its narrative-driven approach, material sensibility, and contextual awareness.
Bar Tempus: materiality, memory, and landscape
Housed in the hotel’s former chapel — once part of a seaside sanatorium for tuberculosis patients — Bar Tempus occupies the building’s central axis, symbolically linking the inner gardens to the horizon line of the sea.
The design draws inspiration from the Mediterranean landscape and local geology: a warm palette of veined marble, naturally pigmented plaster, and custom terrazzo handcrafted locally blends with tactile fabrics that subtly reference the geometric pattern of the surrounding vineyards.
More than just a lounge, the space becomes a dynamic threshold between interior and exterior, day and night, summer and winter. It offers guests a fluid, comfortable environment throughout the day — a place of understated elegance and relaxed luxury.
La Terrassa del Mar: a sensory dining journey
Following the redesign of the bar, Transit Studio was commissioned to reimagine the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, transforming it into an immersive destination where light, materials, and perspective build a coherent architectural narrative. The elongated space unfolds between the hotel’s courtyard garden and the sea-facing terrace, reinforcing its connection to the surrounding landscape.
The chromatic palette reflects the transition between land and sea: terracotta arches, lush interior vegetation, and a cobalt blue vaulted ceiling — inspired by the shimmering movement of the waves — give the space a vivid yet refined identity. Sea-green terrazzo tables and a glass wine cellar framed by new arched openings complete the sensorial setting.
Every detail, from the use of local materials to the abundance of natural light, contributes to transforming the act of dining into a ritual experience. The menu celebrates local produce, while the wine list invites guests to discover Spanish terroirs through a curated regional selection.
A design rooted in place and memory
Both interventions engage thoughtfully with the hotel’s existing architecture, adding new layers of meaning without overshadowing the site’s historic identity. Transit Studio’s approach is expressive yet restrained — a language that reveals rather than imposes.
“Our aim was to listen to the place and let its landscape and history shape the project,” says Zoe Masterton-Smith, founder of Transit Studio. “What emerged is an emotional space rooted in experience and in the beauty of materials.”
This vision is echoed by Conor Cushnahan, General Manager of Le Méridien Ra: “Transit Studio has redefined our guest experience, infusing it with authenticity, refinement, and a deep sense of belonging.”
Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa
Location: Calafell, Spain
Total Area: 890 mq
Interior design: Transit Studio
Photo credits: Agnese Sanvito