Luxury accommodation in Colombia

By Luke Durden in Luxury Hotels

We crossed the sea and we do it big. Visiting some of the most exclusive and complete hotels of Colombia. Our host in this occasion, is the historical hotel chain Dann, considered a symbol of tradition and quality regarding accommodation in the country.

Its hotels are mostly located in Bogotá, but it also has other branches of 4 and 5 stars in cities like Bucaramanga and Barranquilla. They all have the brand unmistakable signature: A classical and elegant decoration, with a sobriety taste that assure the best relaxed atmosphere and guarantee a space that will adapt to all kind of events, states and needs.

This is very important for us, since these are executive and business hotels mostly. It’s not like they only offer accommodations for business travellers exclusively, but it is true that is the main objective of this Colombian urban hotels. In fact, the building and services are clearly oriented to business trips, with plus advantages like rest, wealth, gastronomy, fitness, health and location.

All this hotels are located in the most important business areas of the big Colombian cities, and the safeties and peaceful residential areas in Bogotá. When the hotel chain selects a location for any of its hotels the connection routes are very important, the hotel category depends on it, 5 star hotels are always located in the main avenues or the high class commercial areas, like the famous 100 street or the 93 park.

The bedrooms spaciousness is a house signature, as well as its elegant and sophisticated design, with modern touch, and the latest technology regarding rest services. Many of them offer just suites in Bogotá, or even deluxe apartments in the centre of the city, specially designed for business or health stays, which usually implies long stays.

To know more about the services and features that every hotel has to offer, we bring you the list of the most recommended by the online travellers.

Dann Carlton Bogotá Hotel

Casa Dann Carlton Bogotá

Dann Bucaramanga Hotel

Dann Carlton Quito Hotel

 

Top 5 hotels in Barcelona for a city escape

By Loren in Barcelona

If instead of Madrid, you’re planning a trip to Barcelona before all the work, responsibilities and routine get back. Well then, head up to this Mediterranean capital and enjoy the most this September. And in order to do that, we suggest you a brief list of hotels that we consider, offer you something special, a plus that will give you the opportunity to live something different. Are you up to?

Stay in a Modernist palace
Barcelona is the cradle of modernism, the perfect place for all the art lovers, who shouldn’t miss any of its detailed routes. The city is riddled with buildings, parks, monuments and spots that will show you the best of this artistic movement. But if you want to gild the lily and boast about your trip to Barcelona, we invite you to stay in a completely different hotel: a modernist hotel in the centre of Barcelona built in one of the historical small palaces in Ciudad Condal, the old Garriga Noguès house. Redecorated with great care, maintaining its modernist air perfectly, it is a state of art the art hotel, with free Wi-Fi bedrooms in the centre of Barcelona, with hydro massage shower, with computers at your disposal, amenities and even bicycles to ride through the city freely. It is a 4 star hotel, with an affordable price, considering the accommodation in Barcelona which is not low precisely.

Petit Palace Museum Barcelona

Petit Palace Museum Barcelona

Hotel with pool on the rooftop

Staying in a 4 star hotel in Barcelona, with a pool on the rooftop, viewing all those Mediterranean roofs filling the city, telling us lives, untelled stories, secret whispers, and lights in the darkness. We recommend you one of the most interesting accommodations in a designer hotel in the city, the hotel with the most beautiful terraces of Barcelona where you will be received with a deluxe service, despite being a 4 star hotel (more affordable). It is a hotel in Barcelona with meeting halls and executive accommodations, but it also worth for those who stay in the city for fun. The rooms have a modern design, furnished, it also have a gym and a parking spot (in Spain Square) and of course the best service.

Accommodation in La Rambla with a centenary garden
The next hotel is one of the most charming ones in the city, specially to stay with family or friends. Besides offering bedrooms for groups in the centre of Barcelona, this hotel has a Mediterranean garden in its courtyard with centenary trees with unique species from all over the world. You can have breakfast in the courtyard and enjoy this quiet atmosphere beautifully illuminated. The hotel is located next to Las Ramblas, very close to the Gothic quarter and La Boquería, which makes it perfect to take a weekend break with friends to enjoy the life and atmosphere of the old town of Barcelona in comfort. The price is affordable, between the accommodation rates in Barcelona. And also it offers some plus such as free Wi-Fi service in the entire hotel, bicycles to ride through the city, and bedroom computers.

Stay in an authentic modern art museum
Art is everywhere in Barcelona. The city is a truly example of how design can fill the city and change the life and style of the people and even the visitors. A way to get into this wave is to book in a design hotel in the centre of Barcelona, a museum turned into a hotel, or, to be precise, an accommodation created as a contemporary art museum. Where you can find artworks of some of the most relevant artist nowadays, local and international, with mosaics, paintworks, illustrations, etc. each time you walk to your bedroom you will go across an art gallery. The bedrooms also has a contemporary style. The amenities of this 4 star hotel, include, gym, sauna, rooftop pool, lounge bar. All this at a very affordable price. The hotel is located next to the CCIB in Barcelona, perfect for those who need to organize events in the Ciudad Condal.

Suites with terraces in the centre of Barcelona

Last but not least, to book in a hotel next to Catalunya square, a place where you can get all your caprices satisfy. From its amazing suites with chill out terraces in the centre of Barcelona to its rooftop pool or its spa. This hotel is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a romantic break with the best of the Ciudad Condal. The only problem is that you might not even want to leave the building. The 4 star services (spa, terraces with gardens of 400 sq. M, meeting halls, restaurant, etc.) exceed all expectations, while allowing to create your stay at your fit. The prices are fair, so, if you’re low of budget you might have to pass since the lowest one cost 100 euros per night, but it truly worth it.

 

Look for me in Fuerteventura

By Loren in Fuerteventura

People say it is the quiet island, the perfect destination for getting away from it all and get lost in its never-ending beaches. Fuerteventura is calm, peace in the purest form. One of the places where landscape beauty is so much strong that it transforms the visitor.

All the island is a perfect combination of life and customs converging in places with amazing vegetation and unforgettable summits… But the south offers the true access to the paradise.  The area of hotels in Jandía, Costa Calma and Morro Jable is an opportunity to delight in the Atlantic in all senses: gastronomy, huge beaches, parties and popular culture, shops, craftsmanship, parks… Ideal if you plan a relaxing holiday with your couple, friends or the entire family.

Jandia is the golden island. A pinch of magic that nature strength have joined in the course of centuries to the central part of the island, opening a path towards paradise. Despite of the presence of hotels in Jandia and resorts in surroundings of the Matorral beach, this area has still the authentic nature of those times where only locals walked its sands, went to the harbour and set sail.

Foto Playa Jandia, fuerteventura

Morro Jable, small fishing town in the most southern part of Jandia, is a good example of all this essence: calm, old customs, the most traditional fishing art, noisy restaurants with fresh fish served in front of the sea, markets with unimaginable objects, people that contemplate the movements of the waves, ships, rocks and sun.

Close, hidden between the mountains of the natural park of Jandia, we find the famous Cofete beach, a place where you need to hike and be prepared to play with the waves. It is a wonderful beach, with undeniable beauty, but where swimming could be difficult because of the strength of the ocean in this area, with treacherous currents.

Planning a surfing or diving class is a good alternative to complete the holiday in this island which is considered all around the world as one of the best destinations to enjoy the waves and the sea bottom. In the whole peninsula you will find schools and companies providing these services, they even allow you to rent equipment or reserve tours with expert guides. Some hotels in the coast of Jandía directly offer their own lessons or give discounts to their guests for schools courses.

Gastronomy is another strong point. Although you had booked an All-inclusive hotel in Jandia, you should dedicate at least a couple of nights to dine out or to enjoy a lunch in front of the Atlantic in some of the most charming restaurants in Morro Jable, such as the famous La Laja and Los Abuelos. Locals usually eat in the last one and it is, therefore, an ideal place to experience the local everyday life and the most curious anecdotes of life.

To escape to Fuerteventura, any season of the year is good, but August and September are the best time, not only because days are longer and sun hours are perfect, but because the events and plans are more varied than during winter months, especially in the south of the island.

More information about Fuerteventura

More information about Jandía

 

Playa Gaviotas, luxury at a good price

By Loren in Fuerteventura

Today’s post is dedicated to the IBEROSTAR Playa Gaviotas Hotel, one of the 3 hotels in Jandía managed by the Majorcan hotel company IBERORSTAR Hotels & Resorts, of which we have talked before in our blog. In this case, we have chosen a family hotels next to Matorral beach, which has received good reviews especially because it can offer luxury services a very affordable prices.

It is a 4-star hotel in Playa Gaviotas, one of the quietest beach areas in the south of Fuerteventura, with more complete tourist services. It is very close to the famous Matorral beach, you only have to walk the promenade of this coast to easily arrive there. Gaviotas beach is the smaller but more suitable for those travelling with children, since it gives you the possibility to enjoy the sea at one step from the hotel. At the Matorral beach, whose dune area is being regenerated, we do not find hotels next to the sea.

Hotel IBEROSTAR en Playas Gaviotas

Another outstanding characteristic of this resort at the seaside in jandía is the All-inclusive service and the Premium version: Star Prestige, which gives the possibility to enjoy personalised holidays with top quality, comfort and attention for a bit higher accommodation rate. According to its individual website, this VIP plan includes free wifi, bar with dinks and fruits during the entire day, a special room to relax, Bali beds for each customer, late check-out, access to private swimming pool and VIP solarium, free newspaper…

Nevertheless, general services of this hotel in Jandía represent an interesting and varied range: spa, babysitter, daily entertainment for all ages, sports such as scuba diving in the Atlantic Sea, special services for children, gym, shows, meeting rooms… Everything you can need.

It is worth mentioning the breakfast, since it is one of the few hotels in this area of Jandía that serves it in flexible breakfast hours, until midday, so you don’t have to get up early to enjoy the buffet, which includes show cooking and hot dishes.

Rooms are also worth of attention. Although decoration is nothing special, they are really spacious, with natural light, and most of them have furnished terrace, many of them with sea view. Their most exclusive room in Jandía is the suite, specially recommended for those who want a private and quiet holiday with everything within reach.

For further information about this hotel, we recommend you to visit their website or the official page of IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts.  There you have the best price online guaranteed and, in case of finding a lower rate in other booking website, the hotel chain is committed to make the price equal, and apply a 5% discount.

Top 5 hotels in Madrid for a city escape

By Loren in Madrid hotels

Are you planning to visit Madrid? Will you come alone, with friends or a couple? Madrid has it all. Everything is settled, ready to make you enjoy the most the Capital. Well then, here we have some of the best hotels in Madrid to spend your time this September. Take notes. They deserve it.

Stay in a historical building in Madrid

Choose an accommodation that gives you a new experience, a place that goes beyond just resting. In order to do that we suggest you to book in the oldest hotel in Madrid: Posada del Peine. Located in the Major Square, small but warm, this 4 star hotel is a boutique hotel, it has an exclusive design integrated to the historical building, that has been there since Madrid was named Madrid, aside from that the location, right in the centre plus other services such as: free Wi-Fi in the entire hotel, bicycles to ride through Madrid included, bedroom computers, hydro massage shower make it worth.

Posada del Peine Hotel

Posada del Peine Hotel

Hotel with rooftop terrace and a panoramic view to the Gran Vía

A new incorporation to the hotel industry in the city, a design hotel in the Gran Vía with one of the best rooftop terraces of the centre of Madrid. Under the firm of IBEROSTAR, Las Letras hotel offers you varied experiences: author’s cuisine in its gourmet restaurant, bedrooms for all tastes (it even has bedrooms with a terrace Jacuzzi in the Gran Vía) gym, Wi-Fi, the privileged location, close to the Congress, next to Las Letras, where you can go on a traditional tapas night in Madrid.

Stay in the Madrid’s first skyscraper

Since we are on it, why not to choose a completely different accommodation? If you’re up to, we have you the very first skyscraper in Madrid turned into a hotel, located near the Seville metro, between the Gran Vía and the Puerta Del Sol. Beautifully designed, a 70’s atmosphere, and a vintage touch, a place you want to take pictures since every corner looks charming. Bedrooms are furnished, with free Wi-Fi and computers. A 4 star hotel that has very affordable prices in the centre of Madrid.

High class hotel at a very affordable prices

Madrid isn’t a very expensive city regarding accommodation. Thanks to the big quantity of hotels, hostels and apartments available in the capital, some hotels offer really good prices, without losing quality (4 star or even 5 star hotels downtown). One of these high class hotel with low prices is the Catalonia Las Cortes. Business style. With classic design full of history, a hotel built in a XVIII century palace with wide and comfortable halls, you will be treated as a king without spending fortunes.

Stay in the Capitol Cinema

Yes, as we suggest, you can stay in the emblematic Capitol cinema building, this hotel in Gran Vía in Madrid, furnished like a cinema and full iconic film details, under the firm of Vincci hotels, one of the most exclusive ones in Spain is an authentic jewel, with bedrooms decorated according the kind of cinema with a 4 star service in Madrid, it also has, like Las Letras hotel, a beautiful terraces where you can enjoy the view of the Gran Vía. It also has a bar, buffet breakfasts, free Wi-Fi, and more. Make a plan with your friends or your couple, and live a movie like experience.

 

The latest news of Mencey’s Cookery Classroom, August 2015

By Luke Durden in gastronomic hotels

Summer is a month to unwind, relax, forget about your preoccupations and enjoy a well deserved holiday. And there is no better place to enjoy the summer, the sea and the beach, nature and culture, and gastronomy, than the idyllic island of Tenerife. The Grand hotel Mencey, owned by the popular hotel chain Iberostar Hotels & Resorts has prepared a host of activities and services for its guests, in order to discover the greatest pleasures available on the Canary Island.

Bellow you will find some of the novelties of the Grand Mencey hotel for this August 2015.

Aula de Cocina del Mencey, Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Los Laureles Restaurant

The restaurant and terrace Los Laureles has elaborated a new menu for this summer, where local products stand out, with an exotic touch, in combination with the influence of international cuisine. It has a great terrace from where to enjoy the famous Tenerife sunset. Open Monday to Sunday, from 19.30 to 23.00

Special “Mencey Lounge Night”

On Friday nights, on the 7th and 28th of August, the Grand Mencey hotel and restaurants celebrates a special Mencey Night Lounge. The first event will focus on “ceviches” and tartars, with a strong Latin influence in the menu. All accompanied by delicious cocktails, such as Pisco Sour, Cuban Mojitos or Mexican Margaritas.

On Friday the 28thof August will be an evening of barbecue, with succulent meats on the grill, such as marinated chicken with curry and yogurt, chutney or tuna steak from the Atlantic Ocean.

Both evenings will be enlivened by the best live music from 19.00 to 23.00. Limited tables available.

Spa Sensations

During the month of August, the Mencey Spa offers fantastic deals regarding health and beauty treatments. An example includes the 90 minutes in the Spa circuit, and a couples massage for only € 108 per couple.

Also, you can combine a day at the Spa with a gourmet meal, GatroSpa Gourmet, vegetarian GatroSpa, GatroSpa Vegan, for only 35€ per person.

For more information, visit the official website of Mencey’s Cookery Classroom, and don’t forget to book in advance!