Holidays in…Barcelona, Madrid or Sevilla

By Luke Durden in Urban Hotels

 

Today we are going to review most desirable destinations of 2016. We looked for urban, rural and beach tourism references to make our selection. Multiple offers and price advantages available now: early booking, Let’s go!

Let’s start by the capitals…You choose

Vacaciones en Barcelona

BARCELONA

This city is always one of our favourite destinations, a must in our directory. We can enjoy the Catalan capital all year round thanks to its cultural offer. By the end of January, music lovers could organize a Barcelona city break to attend one of the few concerts performed in Spain by Foals, a trendy brand at the moment.

For those who enjoy art and design in a different way, there are also interesting plans the beginning of the year in Barcelona. For example, Macba offers a great experience to live with children. We are talking about Espacio Mutante, similar to Carlos Bunga work by Toni Hervàs. It is possible to admire the temporary exhibition of Nitrato de Xavier Ribas until 6th March.

In the list of accommodations for your Barcelona getaway, we included some perfect options for art lovers, such as Vincci Bit and Vincci Gala, both at affordable prices at the first months of the year. Also, central hotels like Catalonia Sagrada Familia or Catalonia Atenas, both in the area of Sagrada Familia. Not to mention Catalonia BCN Plaza, one of the trendiest hotels in 2016.  

Vacaciones en Madrid

MADRID

From one capital to another, and city break approaching: Madrid will always be a good plan. The city offers all year round a wide range of leisure, relax and business options, which anyone could easily organize its tailor-made travel with. A plan that cannot be missed this January and February is visiting the city and tasting the typical cocido madrileño, eating some tapas, go drinking some beers and enjoying a play. Gastro-cultural escapes to Madrid are now more famous than ever because gastronomy is becoming increasingly important in the capital and stands out from the rest.

We must highlight some famous places like Mercado de San Miguel, the traditional tascas in Barrio de Las Letras or the must-see cavas, where we can find most of the modern tapas bars in the city.

Our accommodation proposal meets with our gourmet escape plan: gastronomic hotel IBEROSTAR Las Letras, in the heart of Gran Vía; Vincci Soho and Vincci Soma; the most exclusive Petit Palace as Embassy Serrano and Lealtad Plaza, or boutique hotels like Posada del Peine, the oldest in Madrid at Plaza Mayor, where you cannot miss tasting a delicious squid sandwich.
Vacaciones en Sevilla

SEVILLA

This is the best moment to visit Sevilla, if you do not want to feel the so common hot flashes. Prepare your luggage, go out and feel this city’s magic. Madrid’s cultural agenda is full of great plans that you will love. Apart from tablaos, which are always the perfect choice to live the most authentic Sevilla and its music, you will have the possibility of seeing some exhibitions like Pedro de Campaña in the Museo de Bellas Artes; Pabellón de la Navegación -at Isla de la Cartuja- which comprises an interesting sample of Egyptian art called “Ramsés, rey de reyes” and, in its last days -closed on 24th January- we can see at Muelle de las Delicias the famous Terracota Army.

If you finally choose an escape in January, February and March, we suggest you to check  hotel Petit Palace Santa Cruz, hotel Marqués de Santa Ana and Canalejas Sevilla. You can enjoy free hotel services like free Wi-Fi at affordable prices in the centre of the city.

 

Urban hotels: the Pinterest model

By Loren in Urban Hotels

How many times have you been in a hotel and you couldn’t resist to upload a photo to Instagram because it was incredibly beautiful?  Many? So you are probably a traveller that prefer a hotel in the city, an urban tourist that have travelled a lot and is demanding. Yes, a Pinterest model that appreciate design, architecture, spaces, décor details, daily art, the magic of those places where you always leave a trace.

Pinterest is one of the social networks with fastest growing and, despite the years, it has not lose an inch of interest from its users, gaining always more followers, collecting some of the best images in the world in terms of interior design, architecture, fashion and decoration. Pinterest has created its own style: crystalline, bright, full of attractive details, small touches of craftsmanship coexist with the most frenzied technology and modernity. Colours, forms, textures…

The Pinterest model is the model that prevails in shops, coffee shops, restaurants and hotels from all over the world.  First Ikea with its Nordic taste. Now this style between hipster, naif and minimal. When you arrive to a hotel perfectly decorated and designed according to the basic canons of this social network, it is almost irresistible to share that detail that captivate us with the rest of our followers. It is impossible. It is necessary.

Hotels know this and have seen it. The coffee shop recently renovated, investing in decoration, in furniture and curtains. The coffee shop full of visitors, although coffee is more expensive. Well, it is the same with accommodations.  As we have previously mentioned, this is more usual in urban hotels, not only because the tendency has been implemented before, but because coastal and beach hotels are always fighting with the beauty of the surrounding landscape: the sea that captivate everyone. Besides, it is not easy to transfer the Pinterest design to traditional beach resorts, where tropical model still prevails. Now, we must bear in mind that this is what many of their visitors are looking for.

This is different in cities. That design and décor invites and evoke experiences. It offers an extra benefit to guests, a differential touch that leads them to share, to think: I want everyone to see this incredible hotel where I am. We are not talking about services or about the deep details, we are talking about the superficial, the image. It is true that the image without a good service is not useful at all.  But we must also recognise that those who are investing in this type of design hotels are doing it really well.

Searching in portfolios, we have found some Catalonia Hotels: design hotels in Barcelona, some of them are business hotels; hotels in the centre of Barcelona offering fashionable services such as rooftop pool, Japanese restaurant, gym, spa, beauty salon… Everything in one accommodation (in this case, Catalonia Barcelona Plaza). More examples: Catalonia Sagrada Familia and Catalonia Ramblas.

We cannot forget Petit Palace: hotels such as Museum Barcelona are a treasure not only of the Pinterest model (it is impossible not to share the beauty of its spaces) but also of the Barcelona’s modernism, since this hotel is situated in the old Garriga Nogués house, one step away from Ciutat Vella. But in Madrid is where we find the most outstanding ones: the emblematic Posada del Peine, with an exquisite refurbishment; Art Gallery or Embassy Serrano can fill the Instagram gallery of any self-respecting traveller.

Even hotels with a lower category such a modern hostels (Generator Hostel in Barcelona, for example) are joining this fashion. And they are even competing with really affordable prices. Big chains of beach resorts are beginning to apply this tendency: IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has just opened this year a renovated and charming hotel in La Gran Vía, next to Barrio de los Poetas, following this trend: IBEROSTAR Las Letras, with a rooftop where you can contemplate the centre of Madrid.

Some may think this is a passing fashion or a simple detail, but in our opinion this is an extra benefit you should appreciate. And it is on the rise.

Quito’s best option when it comes to resting and enjoying

By Loren in Urban Hotels

The capital of Ecuador tempts and amazes us as a unique and wonderful holiday and business destination.

When we’re travelling, we’re always looking to discover new things but without losing the comfort. The Dann Carlton Quito Hotel is exactly what we’re looking for. A peaceful environment where calm is our major compromise which is located in the most important centre of finances and business of the city. It’s hard not falling in love with this exciting and cosmopolitan city. Declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) along with a hotel that fulfil your expectations and always gives you the best.

Luxury hotel in Quito

Luxury hotel in Quito

Dann Carlton Quito is an incredibly beautiful place, special to enjoy a family holiday, a romantic trip, a business trip or just escape from the routine, enjoy all the city wonders thanks to its location, (shopping malls – Quicentro, the UN and Fybeca – The Carolina Park right across the street, the Quito Exhibition Centre and the city monuments) or relax yourself in our amenities.

If you’re looking to discover a dream-like place, this hotel won’t disappoint you thanks to its complete and unequalled service. Need more information? The Dann Carlton Quito Hotel has 13 big halls with 30 to 300 spaces for business meetings, social and cultural events, business centres, coffee shops, bars and luxury restaurants with a wide gastronomic menu in charge of some of the best chefs in Ecuador, pool, spa, gym, squash court, Jacuzzi, sauna, massages, and the most comfortable rooms to bring you a wonderful and magical experience.

The hotel counts on an innovator deluxe service for executives, companies and national and internationals guests that look for comfort, joy and delight with the best location in the city. Enjoy your trip to Ecuador in the best 5-star hotel of the capital with the best assistance and first class service. Be seduced by its perfect combination of modern and avant-garde design making it unrivalled, opt for elegance and modernity opt for The Dann Carlton Quito Hotel. We are here to offer you an exclusive and pleasant experience that we assure to let you satisfied.

With mix of tradition and classic detail as well as a modern and sophisticated environment, Quito is a memorable destination. At the end what is important is not where you are but the things we lived there, the feelings we felt, our personal discoveries. This 5-star hotel is  first class in design and service, surrounded by a mythical and passionate city that takes out the best of its country, in here you are our five star.

Book now inour website. Quito is a dreamland with nothing but elegance, well-being and amusement. Staying with us is a decision that you will never regret.

Design hotels for your holiday 2015

By Loren in Urban Hotels

Simple lines, sober colours and touches of citric, fluorescent and primary colours creating wider, more illuminated and quiet spaces. Simplicity is fashionable in hotel design for holiday 2015. Many of the Spanish chains specialized in urban hotels in Madrid and Barcelona work hard in order to offer the new interior decoration trends in their most emblematic hotels.

Small changes on furniture, bed clothes, curtains and some basic decoration objects could transform an entire hotel, without needing to make a big refurbishment. This is why there are many hotels using for the first time a more detailed, novel or just equally surprising appearance.

Hotels in Barcelona

Hotels in Barcelona

PHOTOS FROM: PETIT MUSEUM BARCELONA, OPERA GARDEN Y MADRID AEROPUERTO

Other hotels, such as the beach hotels in the coast of Barcelona, Andalusia or the Canary Islands, will begin to work on decorating again their spaces in order to offer a 2015 summer season full of new sensations for their guests. In these holiday destinations, hotels are mainly investing in rooms where light prevails: white colours, big windows, outdoor spaces (from small balconies to terraces), very simple furniture, functional lines, inspired by Nordic design but always keeping a detail or relation to the essence of the destination.

Some of them take elements of the environment and promote them, representing a continuation of the sensations and experiences offered by the destination. Other hotels opt for taking advantage of the most traditional culture, recovering the typical details and creating a connection between guest and destination: famous quotes, images of renowned places of interest, small pieces of local crafts, traditional symbols…

FOTOS DEL FERGUS CALA BLANCA Y DEL IBEROSTAR JARDÍN DEL SOL

A good example of this game consisting of eliminating borders between outdoor landscape and hotel interior decoration (especially in the rooms) are the spaces design made by FERGUS Hotels, specifically, in FERGUS Cala Blanca Suites Hotel, and by IBEROSTAR group, in its IBEROSTAR Jardin del Sol. Curiously, both hotels are located in the same area of Santa Ponsa Bay, just some metres away from each other, with views of one of the best Majorca sunsets.

In addition to the hotels, the rural accommodations and villas complexes in Minorca,Tenerife and the rest of the Canary Islands, are also investing in refurbishing their rooms and spaces. Apartments and hotel complexes with new areas for spa, relax and wellness; area with special spaces for children, such as swimming pools similar to water parks; fitness rooms, beauty salons and special health treatments, gourmet restaurants, even some of them with Michelin Star.

FOTOS DEL ROYAL CUPIDO EN PLAYA DE PALMA Y SU SEA SOUL BEACH CLUB

Beach clubs and Chill Out bars are some of the elements which have become a key space for hotels design. Places inviting to relax and comfort, where interior décor plays the most important role, since it must fill the space with sensations and transport the guest from an atmosphere to another one. Even opposite spaces in the same hotel. IBEROSTAR’s Sea Soul, for example, is an authentic cult of aesthetics, present in their spa hotels in Chiclana and the Royal Cupido spa hotel in Playa de Palma, among others.

By chance, these design spaces made for relaxing, the select wineglasses and music, are almost exclusively offered by Adults Only hotels and apartments, hotels for friends and, as an exception, All Inclusive Hotels in places such as Majorca and the Canary Islands. Precisely in the Canary Islands you can find some family accommodations with these beach clubs and cocktails included. A clear example is Fuerteventura Palace, hotel in Playa de Jandia where we can enjoy a exclusive VIP area for adults, combining the typical services of a family beach hotels in the Canary Islands, with the singularity and elegance of an up to date design hotel.

What does the ideal hotel room look like

By Luke Durden in Urban Hotels

Furniture from the 50’s, decoration inspired by the sea or a Norwegian forest, New York style, spaces with a Scandinavian essence… The decoration and design of the rooms of the hotels in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and other major cities and coastal centres of Spain can surprise even the most travelled. Gone are the days when all the hotel rooms were virtually the same: bed, bedside table, desk and bathroom (and not in all cases). Today, 3 and 4 star hotels in Spain, offer a differential touch, seek to create spaces with personality that provide a bonus to the clients experience. This generally translates into loyalty, while at the same time it models and strengthens the brand image of the hotel chain.

This renovation, remodelling and redecorating work to the rooms of the hotels has occurred mostly in large chains such as Barcelo, Melia and Iberostar and in small boutique hotels in Majorca, Levante, the Catalan coast and the charming cities such as Seville or Salamanca.

The ideal room, despite all the efforts of differentiation and equipment that have carried out the majority of the 3 stars establishments, is still the one that offers a space adapted to the capacity that is booked for, comfortable beds, soundproof walls, room with private bathroom, comfortable and versatile, simple but functional, and with modern amenities such as free WiFi.

Hoteles Petit Palace in Valencia

Hoteles Petit Palace in Valencia

The pillow menu, King Size mattresses or the hydro-massage in the rooms are a plus that allows the hotel to offer superior rooms at a higher price, and that for the moment, is working very well. Today’s travellers are willing to pay for that added value and extra quality, as long as it is indeed something else.

The rooms of city hotels in Madrid or Barcelona, for example, have a premise to meet, its location. After that, the other most valued feature by travellers who want to enjoy an urban accommodation, whether for pleasure or business, is how comfortable the furniture is, the condition it is in, and its functionality.

Having a TV in the room is considered an advantage, but only if the channels available are adequate and in the languages the usual guests speak. For example, a hotel in Majorca with Spa and golf, that does not include in their rooms a system with international channels, will certainly loose many points in the eyes of the guests. Something as simple as television or an apartment with a microwave can be the decisive element.

Business rooms

Hotel Petit Palace Plaza Malaga

Hotel Petit Palace Plaza Malaga

The business side of the vast majority of these hotels in Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Seville and Bilbao means that the rooms also have an executive design to it. Today, a good 4 star hotel in the centre of Barcelona or Madrid can even offer a exercise bike in the room, a special minibar, Ipad with free WiFi access to the internet, and portable WiFi to take around the city, an option that was recently launched at a hotel in the centre of Malaga belonging to the Petit Palace hotel chain.

Most of the executive rooms have a special decoration, oriented to booking a workspace and provide a more sober space, simple and with exclusive services designed to ensure the best rest and comfort for those traveling for business reasons. It is usually a demanding and regular client, so the bar is set quite high for these rooms.

The location, in these cases, is also important, but it is not necessary that the hotel is in the centre or next to the main tourist points of interest of the city but rather close to communication accesses, such as train stations, metro, airport and motorways. Also, it is ideal that they are near the trade fairs, business parks and business and convention centres.

Family rooms 

The perfect room depends on the type of guests that is has to accommodate. Those traveling with children, for example, have no doubts: the best family hotels should have rooms for up to 4 people, or at least, communicating rooms. It is difficult, for example, that a couple with kids book a double hotel room in Majorca with a sofa bed for over a week. However, sometimes there is no choice because the current offer still includes quadruple rooms, which in reality are really little more than a room with a living room and sofa bed. The trend, however, is to give the user more suitable premises and tailored to their needs. That does not mean they are larger, but that they are optimised and are, above all, more comfortable for everyone.

One of the best models of family rooms are those of the hotels in the centre of Madrid and Barcelona managed by the urban hotel chain Petit Palace. They include, in the same space a double bed, bunk beds for kids, office desk with work area and computer, full bathroom with hydro-massage, built-in wardrobes, reading lamps, welcome gift for children, bathroom amenities…

 

The latest in hotels: the All Inclusive Urban

By Esther in Urban Hotels

The tourism sector keeps surprising us with new formulas and proposals to conquer and surprise the travellers. There are options for all tastes, pockets and ages: Adults Only Hotels, Picapiedra Hotels, Hotels for Friends… And all of them are totally specialised so that they can offer a personalised service to the detail.

One of the last proposals we have found is the All Inclusive Urban concept, recently inaugurated by the Spanish chain Barceló Hotels. It is a renovated concept of urban hotels which bet on offering their guests an All Inclusive service, but without giving up the exclusivity, the design and the personalisation that characterise the city hotels.

Accommodation in Caceres

Accommodation in Caceres

This service is undeniably a modern revision of the classic All Inclusive applied to urban hotels, but Barceló has managed to give it a special touch which makes it unique and personal, and which makes a urban accommodation become a complete holiday destination.

Hotel in Caceres

Hotel in Caceres

The All Inclusive Urban is a formula specially designed for family holidays or for business, incentive or group trips, as it offers many possibilities inside the hotel, ideal for those who need a comfortable, well-equipped space full of commodities which make their stay easier: rooms and menus for the whole family, conference centres and meeting rooms, swimming pool, parking, wifi access…

One of the Barceló hotels that has already introduced this service is the Barceló Cáceres V Centenario, an exclusive 4-star hotel close to the old town, with suites and specialised services for corporate clients.