And…2016! Iberostar’s year begins

By Luke Durden in Luxury Hotels

Every beginning of the year our expectations are really high. Projects, improvement purposes, plans…The energy of a new beginning and resetting the counter to zero help us to better start these new challenges. In the case of Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, commonly appearing in our posts, 2016 seems to open the doors to a great transformation, which can potentiate the long sought-after quality change, in which they invested so much for months.

In this 2016 touristic season, Iberostar includes some new great assets to its portfolio, which did not happen for a long time. This new bet changes completely the Company brand history: we do not just talk about Iberostar as beach resorts for families in Tenerife, Mallorca or The Caribbean, but as luxury hotels and boutique hotels in the centre of Madrid or other big European capitals like the mythic Grand Hotel Budapest.

All these changes and challenges are heavily asking for a short analysis, especially taking into account that January is the month of Fitur (Madrid’s International Tourism Fair) and it is time to talk about tourism, tendencies, numbers and tourism industry projects.  

Iberostar Grand Hotel Budapest

Iberostar Grand Hotel Budapest

Experiential Resorts

The idea of experiential tourism is not new at all, but it is now when hotel chains are increasingly taking it into account. Now the trendiest offer is: athlete hotels, kids’ hotels that seem theme parks, Only Adults hotels like oasis of relax…It is possible to stay at hotel X, as if it was the holiday destination itself. Therefore, I have 4 free days and I want a relaxing escape at a Spa hotel in Tenerife, but I do not want to stay at any hotel, I want to stay at Iberostar Grand Hotel Mencey. This is an example of today’s thought. Why? Why would someone like to stay at that hotel and not at a cheaper one at the same destination? Because the travel experience is the hotel itself. In this particular case, it consists of enjoying 4 days of 5-star customer care in the oldest Spanish hotel, a spa hotel in Tenerife with all of the colonial charm and really modern spaces and facilities, which include spa, gastronomic restaurant, the best culinary classroom in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, nightlife atmosphere…

 

Iberostar made great efforts to promote and renovate Grand Mencey hotel and now it is trying to do the same in all its Grand hotels, which we list you below so you can understand the tendency that these strong luxury resorts are following in our country (previously more related to The Caribbean holidays):

 

IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Mencey

IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Mencey

 

New formulas, more destinations

In addition to this new luxury bet, Iberostar has already demonstrated its purposes of devoting this year to introduce its offer in destinations and places still uncovered by them. This is the case of the new hotel in Santa Eulalia, Ibiza, an only adult’s hotel with chill out, free Wi-Fi, All Inclusive option and golf course in the nearby (the only one in Ibiza). Another new incorporation is in Costa del Sol, even though the destination already includes some hotels of the chain, Iberostar chose a beach close to Marbella, where there is not any chain hotel. We are talking about El Saladillo beach and the hotel is already in the market under the name of Iberostar Costa del Sol.

Madrid is one of the last and biggest bets of this hotel firm. The first urban hotel of the group: a hotel in Madrid’s Gran Vía, offering high quality gastronomy (in fact, restaurant El Trapo is run by the famous chef Paco Morales) and a trendy rooftop in the big city. Although it seems a luxury hotel, it actually is a 4-star hotel, which services are addressed to business customers and couple getaways, as well as to provide a different and original place to Madrid society, where to have a good time and not just an accommodation.

At the moment, this urban hotel line is more developed in other European destinations as Budapest, one of the big capitals where Iberostar has already been working for a long time. Barcelona is still not included in the portfolio, but we prefer not to discard it, taking into account the last chain steps. In this way, we leave the door open for this city, which is in fact one of the most tempting to open a hotel now: tourism figures in the Catalan capital are one of the most positive and optimistic, if we analyse their historical evolution. Barcelona is never a mistake.

Internal improvements

Opening new hotels is a development method, but Iberostar also detected the importance of working with its own resources and optimize them. This is reflected in the investment of the chain in recent months, in the mature tourism area of Playa de Palma, where it has 3 of its best hotels in Mallorca. Renaming, spaces and facilities renovation and services improvement resulted in a consolidated offer in Mallorca with more modern accommodation concepts: Only Adults, High quality All inclusive, experiential hotels…
Iberostar Bahía de Palma is one of the best examples of this renovation, previously called Royal Cupido, now one of the most complete Only Adults hotels in Palma. See view suites, bay view terraces with pools, spa, luxury beach club, restaurants, exclusive themed animation for couples and groups of friends…Everything at reduced prices in relation with Playa de Palma accommodation offer and establishing a high-level hotel network for all budgets.

Mallorca prepares a luxury 2016

By Esther in Luxury Hotels

More and better. Mallorca is rapidly changing its 70’s label of mass tourism model. The island is working on a complete renovation: its mature vacation areas, like the spa hotels in Playa de Palma and the beach resorts in Magaluf are being fully renewed, promoted mostly by the island major hotel chains, which emerged and grew during the 60’s and 70’s touristic boom until becoming large multinationals.

In addition to this complete makeover oriented towards the most exclusive and luxurious accommodations, and a strong commitment to themed hotels of wellness, golf, leisure and families, Mallorca is changing its cultural offer, style and soul as a holiday destination. Over the years has maintained its reputation as one of the planet’s most coveted island, and now is trying to recover the values that have made Mallorca what it is today. Authenticity, nature, outdoor sports, quality services, folklore and tradition on the Mediterranean shore.

Gastronomy is also suffering a great conversion, changing from the typical combined dish and fast food for foreigners to gourmet dishes in which local products play the most important role.  In fact, some hotel chains as Garden Hotels established agreements with breeders from the island in order to offer meat from locally raised cattle in all their hotels with restaurant in Mallorca. The same applies to the agricultural food, especially the ecological one, with great potential in Mallorca.  A growing number of accommodations are offering healthy and high quality gastronomic service. Luxury hotels are at the Forefront in this sense -as this food remains very expensive- and make special related offers.  Some of them like the new Iberostar hotel in Portals Nous, have focused on that, requiring restaurants which comprise the island complementary offer to catch up with the circumstances.

In Palma, the capital, is where we can better see this change, because tradition and native culture prevails more on its inland villages and in Sierra de Tramuntana. The city is recovering its origins, its old city town, where many boutique hotels and extremely luxury hotels have emerged maintaining the charm of this Mediterranean city. We can find several shops, small inns, terraces and restaurants on its surroundings with a varied gastronomy offer, prevailing tradition and high quality products. This allows to increase prices and initiate a change -there is still much to do- from economy of scale to exclusive economy.

Other areas like the one from Playa de Muro and Alcudia hotels are still deeply attached to a more quality mass tourism. Therefore, in the north coast of Mallorca we can find a jumble of accommodations: “All inclusive” hotels surrounded by shopping boulevards and restaurants addressed to foreigners. Nevertheless, there are an increasing number of proposals considering this new Mallorca and trying to give visitors an added value, stylish ambience and sophistication lost over the years. Elegant beach clubs with luxury gastronomy and cocktails, more high category hotels, accommodations settled on old palaces and traditional beach houses, charming restaurants with Michelin star, spa hotels or special services for athletes, theme resorts, 5-star apartment complexes…The change has started but it may not be as fast as we want.

Natural: it is difficult to give up on winning effortlessly. The new Mallorca requires significant investments that not everyone in the tourism industry can afford -especially after this recent crisis years-. However, the threat of other Mediterranean destinations growth has had a profound effect and the actions taken by those who can afford them easily, have ended up engulfing many others. The reinvestment of profits in improvements -although modest- is increasingly seen at hotels even from small chains. Foreign capital contributions are becoming important: most of those new boutique hotels in the centre of Palma are the result of foreign investment groups (Nordic, Russian and Germans), which buy fincas and restore them with luxury designs and materials, and then sell them to upper-class groups living now with the middle-class tourist on the streets and beaches of the island, overbooking its hotels.

But let us not delude ourselves. Everyone should be welcome in Mallorca and the goal should not be to transform the island in a place reserved for high class people, but to become a role model of mature destination that grows, progresses and keeps an optimal quality standard in both luxury and cheaper segments, since a peaceful coexistence is essential and enriching in both directions.

Marbella, luxury and much more

By Luke Durden in Luxury Hotels

Marbella. It is difficult to mention (or write) this name without automatically thinking of luxury, glamour and relaxation. This city of the province of Malaga, Spain, has its own identity and, in fact, it is better known internationally than the capital itself. Marbella is a destination for exclusive international tourism, and it includes some of the most beautiful and quiet areas of the East of Costa del Sol. It has turned the city into an essential meeting point in summer and a top destination for wellness retreats during the winter.

As well as its exceptional climate and Mediterranean beaches, you will find quality tourism infrastructures and facilities. The hotels in Marbella are mostly 4 or 5 star hotels (or higher) built in exclusive areas, very close to its spectacular beaches or on the hills of the impressive Sierra Blanca.

The so-called Valley of Golf is one of the main centres of this sport in Spain, but Marbella not only offers golf, you can find sailing schools, surf shops, diving, paddle tennis, tennis, running … All that includes enjoying the energy from the open air you will find in this city, mainly due to its surroundings and the natural landscapes that provide the perfect setting to make the most of it.

The city of Marbella, is also one of the most beautiful and with outstanding cultural heritage cities of the Costa del Sol. Its walled Old Town integrates in the historic centre the High Quarter and the New Town, two areas that converge in the famous Plaza de los Naranjos (the Orange Square), where you find a mixture of important buildings of all artistic styles. The atmosphere in this town square is always lively and you can feel the true character of its people, always friendly and sharing smiles with visitors.

Fotos hotel Iberostar Costa del Sol

Photos Iberostar Costa del Sol hotel

What to see in Marbella:

Puerto Banus

The Paseo de la Alameda and its botanical garden

The Lighthouse of Marbella

The auditorium on Constitution Square

San Pedro de Alcantara

Accommodation suggestions in Marbella:

Marbella has a wide range of options regarding accommodation, but we suggest one of the last resorts to join this selection: an exclusive 4 star beach hotel in Marbella in the quiet urbanization of Costalita, direction Estepona. The IBEROSTAR Costa del Sol hotel offers a very attractive proposal for those who want a family holiday in Marbella with a touch of style, glamour and sophistication but away from the bustle and overcrowding of other areas.

The rooms and suites of this hotel in Marbella stand out for its spacious rooms, it has one of the best family rooms facing the beach of El Saladillo, as well as exclusive services and amenities, such as access to a semi private pool, a pillow menu and terraces with sea views.

Rooms of the Iberostar Costa del Sol hotel

Rooms of the Iberostar Costa del Sol hotel

As for the services in Marbella available at this beach resort, we like to stand out its gastronomic and spa area, with areas of exclusive relaxation, personalised treatments and a team of qualified professionals that are the best guarantee for a perfect wellness escapade.

On the official website of IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts you can find the best hotel offers in Marbella available online. The lowest rates guaranteed and, if you find a cheaper rate, they will match the offer and will also add a 5% discount on the available rate.

Accommodations to pamper yourself

By Loren in Luxury Hotels

Today we’re going to make a deluxe review in places that most of us look with envy and normally can’t afford. It’s true that they are way out of our budget, but, it doesn’t hurt to keep them at hand when the day come and we decide, finally, that is time to spoil ourselves. We only live once, right?

Luxury holidays

Luxury holidays

Grand Hotel Mencey.– It is one of the best hotels with suites in Santa Cruz, Tenerife. A renowned five-star hotel which has hosted celebrities and international figures such as Liz Taylor. It still has that colonial charm, its old architecture, but filled with modern services and innovative ideas. The hotel’s garden is a natural jewel in the city, it even has a little turtle pond. It is a gourmet hotel also, considered one of the oldest still open hotels in Spain, besides, it offers a Spa, buffet style restaurant, chill out terraces, cooking classroom, and deluxe suites.

Vincci Aleysa.- A luxury hotel in Benalmádena, it is one of those places specially designed to become a high-standing touristic reference in the country. It was designed as a boutique hotel, where the high-quality services are the key, specially created to give you unique experience. In this way, the main service is the gourmet food, the relaxation and spa spaces and its exclusive five-star suites. The best gift, undoubtedly.

IBEROSTAR Son Antem hotel.- We had mentioned before every now and then, since it is a reference hotel in Majorca regarding golf and spa. But besides these characteristics that makes it unique in the island, it also offers you a different deluxe experience: is not another beach hotel, it’s located in the middle of the Majorcan countryside, surrounded by farms and green fields, beautiful gardens and two enormous golf courses. It also offers several gourmet services such as Sunday brunch which includes some children activities.

Hotel Iberostar Grand Mencey

Hotel Iberostar Grand Mencey

Grand Salomé.- South Tenerife, across from  the Duque and Fañabé beach, surrounded by the most beautiful gardens that lead to the sea. Besides its gastronomy, the specialized service and its deluxe, all these and even more in this Adults-Only hotel in Tenerife, This accommodation in Costa adeje is a five-star hotel next to the famous Anthelia hotel where you can live the most amazing and unforgettable holiday of your life. The design, the different ambiences and spaces create that idyllic air where dream is just as easy as breath.

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

 

Catalonia, an avant-garde hotel

By Loren in Luxury Hotels

Catalonia hotels made an all or nothing bet to the hotel industry: the future is now, and guaranteeing a renewing experience that goes far beyond the simple comfort and rest is mandatory. To succeed, each place has to stand out, create its own identity, but without losing the common thread and hotel chain portfolio. A defined line of work recognisable wherever it is.

This work philosophy might look very simple, but it’s actually a very detailed and complex system, supported by a large investment and an attentive and excellence taste. We’re not talking about 5 star hotels but 3 and 4 star hotels located from the most crowded urban areas to the usual touristic areas in holiday.

Some examples of this new concept are the emblematic hotels in Barcelona from Catalonia hotel chain, that offer and specialized service, with a distinguishing ambient, which varies in each hotel but with all the attractions of every location, with more services, and more free amenities, (Wi-Fi, breakfast, welcome gifts) creating full packages for each specific guest (businessman, youth, couples, group of friends, family, athlete, etc.)

The first thing you notice when you’re in a Catalonia hotel is the avant-garde taste, then you see the well maintained facility in both the private and common areas, offering the opportunity to enjoy an accommodation with a dreaming decoration that we all would love to have home.

Hotels like the Catalonia Atenas, the Catalonia Las Cortes or the Catalonia Sagrada Familia, will surprise you for they furniture care, they all have the avant-garde line of design, with modern style, and sometimes minimalistic, sometimes combined with baroque details or different styles that make them unique, far from those sad poorly designed hotels that look like an Ikea magazine.

It might surprise you that this avant-garde taste leaded them across the sea, creating two incredible resorts in Riviera Maya and Bávaro, some of the most care designed in the Caribbean. They services and facilities are excellent, despite not being deluxe resorts, nor the larger ones in the touristic area, they are starting a new wave away from the traditional Caribbean resorts, creating a beach hotel with good taste and art style, but the best of it is that it doesn’t take the tradition, and essence of the destination.

 

Falling in love at Grand Salomé Hotel

By Loren in Luxury Hotels

Spring and summer are the seasons for love. Today we have a very special hotel review. A love review because the hotel we are going to talk about in this short post is one of the most incredible romantic accommodations you can find in Spain: Grand Salomé Hotel.

It is a luxury Adults Only hotel in Costa Adeje, situated in one of the most complete hotel complexes in Tenerife: Iberostar Anthelia.  It is an accommodation for couples in front of Duque beach and one step away from Fañabé beach. Besides boasting an idyllic environment, Grand Salomé stands out for being an authentic oasis targeted at couples, with breathtaking facilities characterised by their majesty and good taste, and services created with attention to detail.

This hotel has a 5-star category and offer a unique spa centre in Tenerife: 1000 sq. m. filled up with sensibility, equipped to offer all types of relaxation, health, wellness and beauty treatments on the seafront. Take advantage of the Asian techniques of their massages and enjoy a special session for a summer tune-up. Try it!  You won’t be disappointed.

Costa adeje, Tenerife

Costa adeje, Tenerife

But man cannot live by relaxation alone, so this hotel provides an exclusive gastronomy service: 4 gourmet restaurants and beach club to enjoy the beautiful sunsets, exquisite cocktails and aperitifs with sea views.

The accommodation is as good as the other services. All its suites in Fañabé beach and Duque beach boast striking sea views, Canary-style, roomy spaces, comfortable furniture and details that make days in this exclusive 5-star hotel a really magical experience.

It is undoubtedly ideal for a honeymoon.  Grand Salomé is one of the most important hotels for weddings in Tenerife. It has 8 meeting rooms, terraces and special menus for events that will allow you to celebrate your dream party in one of the most beautiful places in the Atlantic.

Besides, rates are not as high as you may think. In fact, on the hotel’s official website you can find interesting offers (in June and September, for example). Check and compare. Be careful, you just might fall in love!

The latest news from Mencey’s Cookery Classroom

By Luke Durden in Luxury Hotels

This month of May, there are some very interesting announcements to make for both the IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Mencey and Mencey’s Cookery Classroom.

The Mencey Lounge events at the Iballa Cocktail Bar are back to Tenerife’s nights with many novelties. A privileged location, the best live music, varied cuisine, exotic cocktails and the best possible company. Mencey’s Lounge thematic nights start at 19.00 and finish around 23.30.

During this month, guests will enjoy themed tasting menus, such as the special menu Sushi & Gins and the Mexican themed night.

On Friday 8th May, guests will enjoy a sushi tasting together with a selection of macerated premium gins and tonics. Some of our favourites include Blue Ribbon & Fever tree with lime peel, strawberries and liquorice, Geranium & Abbondio with blackberries, juniper, cinnamon and lemon peel.

Menu degustacion restaurante Los Menceyes

On Thursday the 21st May, the Iballa Cocktail Bar hosts a special themed night, an authentic Mexican evening! You will be able to enjoy the best Mexican dishes and snacks.

Bear in mind that every Saturday, starting at 11am, you can enjoy Mencey’s Appetizer on the terrace of the Iballa Cocktail Bar. The menu includes Iberian ham with bread and grated tomato, a selection of Canarian cheeses and figs and black pig on toast with caramelized onions and goat cheese.

Regarding the cooking courses, and after popular demand, the Cookery Classroom will offer the course “make your own bread at home.” The course will be held by Juan Carlos Bolanos and you will learn how to prepare the mother dough, learning different techniques, weighed, shaped and baked. This course is held on the Thursday 14th May between 17.30 and 20.30.

On Friday the 29th May, the Mencey’s Cookery Classroom will offer a “special antiox course“. Carlos Perez will be responsible to provide attendees with all the information regarding the benefits and secrets that you can obtain from smoothies and shakes.

If you need further information, please visit the official website of the Iberostar Grand Hotel Mencey or the website of Mencey’s Cookery Classroom.

Give experiences, give a trip this Christmas

By Loren in Luxury Hotels

Christmas season is ending and many are those who are still thinking of what to give their loved ones. For many of us, that means stress.  We all know that it’s not always easy to find the perfect gift. One of the latest gift-giving trends is giving experiences. Adventure activities, wine cellars tours, escapades to wellness centres… options are endless. One of them… giving a trip.

Travelling is a unique experience. Almost everyone loves to travel and for that reason giving a trip is a safe bet. Surely your loved one will never forget this gift. And if you want an even more special experience, we suggest you to choose a luxury hotel. Of course, these hotels are not for all budgets, but if it is a special occasion, it is worth it.

Iberostar Grand Hotel Salomé

Iberostar Grand Hotel Salomé

As for the destination, it depends on your preferences, but now that winter and cold are coming, it would be fantastic to travel to a warm destination such as the Canary Islands.

If you opt, for example, for a 5-star hotel in the south of Tenerife, you will have the possibility of enjoying the beach the Canary sun, accompanied by the exclusive services that only a luxury hotel can offers you.

You can also opt for an Adults Only, 5-star hotel in Tenerife if, besides a wonderful destination, you want to enjoy a quiet and pleasant accommodation.

If you prefer a more exotic destination, you can consider a trip to Cuba, where you will not only enjoy the good temperatures, but also such a special and peculiar country as Cuba is.

We propose you to see a 5-star hotel in the centre of Trinidad, also known as Cuba’s museum city and declared World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. There you will know the essence of Cuba and its delicious gastronomy.

And if your loved one prefer cold places, you can also choose a 5-star hotel in Budapest to enjoy a wonderful getaway. The capital of Hungary is always a good option to visit and give.

The Grand Collection: luxury hotel experiences

By Loren in Luxury Hotels

When you spare no expense to choose a hotel, you aim to enjoy everything, the destination, its surroundings, gastronomy, shops, nature … but, above all, its accommodation. Booking a 5-star hotel in Tenerife or a luxury resort in Majorca implies a motivation which cannot be easily observed with the naked eye: the travellers want that the hotel provides them with a memorable experience, regardless of whether the destination is or is not what they expect.

In this sector of luxury resorts is where the Spanish tourism invest the most, since the emerging countries such as Tunisia and Morocco, are offering high quality hotels at really affordable prices. The lack of safety in these countries is no longer what it was, they have improved their treatment to the tourist and have created spaces reserved for them in which, besides allowing to find the essence of the country, they give them traditional western services: healthcare, security, leisure areas, private beaches … Spain seems to have seen, finally, the danger of losing this important market. This is why, the big chains are working hard  to create an army worthy of facing the new Mediterranean titans.

IBEROSTAR Son Antem Hotel

IBEROSTAR Son Antem Hotel

The Grand experience

That’s how the Iberostar Grand Collection was born, one of the most outstanding hotel companies in recent years in our country. Although they have luxury hotels in Saïdia, Berkane or Sousse, they keep its firm commitment to the national territory as the spearhead of its strategy with the sector of luxury travellers.

The islands are their favourite destination. And Tenerife, the apple of their eyes. In this Canary Island is where most of their hotel flagships are located: Grand Hotel Mencey, historic 5-star hotel in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and prime example of its most valuable holiday accommodation in Spain. Along with this emblematic hotel, stand out others like Grand Hotel El Mirador and Grand Hotel Salomé, luxury resorts located in front of the best beaches in Costa Adeje

5-star hotels where space and services are the centre of attention. Iberostar has focused it work on developing accommodations where the traveller can enjoy a week of experiences without leaving the resort, with all types of exclusive activities ranging from gastronomic tastings with Michelin Star chefs and spa centres and luxury wellness, perfect to spend a few days of recovery after a frantic work routine. Although they are more intended to adult guests, they do not exclude family trips and have managed to balance the needs of both types of travellers with different spaces, family services for parents to enjoy their stay while kids use their energy in games accompanied by professional instructors and personalized attention, offering unique and different experiences for each guest.

 

More proposals

Along with Iberostar, Barcelo group has also developed a number of 4-5 star-hotels specifically designed to meet the needs of the most demanding travellers who do not mind paying what things are really worth. So, it i worth mentioning the Corralejo Bay, an Adults only hotel next to Grandes Playas in Fuerteventura; the golf resort in Jerez next to the Montecastillo Golf MotoGP circuit, and the hotel for events in Seville, Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento.