Ibiza: eternal paradise

By Loren in Balearic Islands

Whether you travel alone, with friends or as a couple, Ibiza is the perfect place for a different and inspiring holiday. Although this island is always related to party and night, it is more than the electro music paradise. Ibiza is synonymous with peace, relaxation, game and sport. Sailing in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, arriving to a deserted cove, exploring its history, its famous markets, contemplating the sunsets and tasting the delicious dishes such as bullit de peix is one of the best experiences you could ever have. Ibiza is everything you want it to be. And even more.

Hotels in Ibiza

Hotels in Ibiza

This island has a complete range of hotels to choose from. Adults Only hotels, family hotels, beach aparthotels in Ibiza and luxury villas, 3-star hotels in Santa Eulalia, 4 and 5-star accommodations in Playa d’en Bossa…  Getting an affordable rate will not only depend on the type of hotel you choose, but also on the time of the year you book. For this reason, if you are clear about travelling to Ibiza in summer, the best thing you can do is to take advantage of early booking deals that most of the hotels offer on their official websites.

As for gastronomy and restaurants, food in Ibiza is very eclectic, dishes from a broad and diverse range of countries and an excellent selection of top level gastronomic spaces specialized in the regional cuisine. Planning a gastronomic trip to this island is a must if you want to know in depth the idiosyncrasy of Ibiza. Traditional dishes such as sofrit pagés, borrida de rajada, atún a la ibicenca or orelletes are the best representation of this island’s gastronomy and the best way to discover the real essence of this Mediterranean paradise.

Leisure at day and night. The night in Ibiza is one of its main attractions. Besides boasting some of the most famous discos in the world, Ibiza has a bar area where you can have tapas and drinks next to the harbour.  It is the meeting point of hundreds of people to begin the night.

The sunsets in its coves or in any of the chill out bars situated next to the sea, such as Café del Mar or Kumaras, are a must-live experience. At morning, the perfect plan is to enjoy a traditional breakfast with olive oil toasts and then discover the wonderful towns of the island: Sant Antoni, Sant Josep and, especially, Santa Eulália, which is one of the most beautiful and cosiest towns, ideal for those who travel with family and want peace and rest.

Markets and terraces located in the centre of Ibiza city are an excellent alternative to combine with a shopping tour close to the harbour. Later, you can visit the old quarter, the castle, walk the harbour and contemplate the beautiful yachts in summer, have an appetizer in a flat roof in Dalt Vila or visit a beach to sunbathe and get away from it all.

 

The best All Inclusive in Spain

By Loren in All Inclusive

All inclusive hotels in Spain are some of the most complete ones in the world. Although most of the hotels have specializing in specific types of travelers, the truth is that they have not left behind this type of board that allow us to enjoy a holiday full of comforts and and a fixed budget.

The advantages of All inclusive are clear: avoiding sudden surprises, get better rates and special discounts, specially those who travel with family or with a group, expenses control, complete services, access to almost all the facilities of the establishment (there are certain areas that need an extra charge, as for example the spa and beauty areas), entertainment and parties…

There are also disadvantages: they are usually related to low-rated hotels, with a lower quality service, with limited access to special areas or to VIP services, in some hotels you cannot book a superior room or a suite in an All Inclusive board…

Fergus Hotels in Majorca

Fergus Hotels in Majorca

Bearing in mind this, an All inclusive holiday is still one of the favorite options of travelers in Spain, specially those who come from other country or travel with children.

For all those who still prefer an All inclusive, some chains have designed a more complete and sophisticated service, with the same high quality of other boards, and prices really affordable and advantageous. This is the case of the best All inclusive in Spain: Iberostar Anthelia a spa hotel in the south of Tenerife, located in Costa Adele and offering all the facilities of a 5-star accommodation in Tenerife, with special packages for families, couples and groups of friends.

This is not what we say, this is what, after 3 consecutive years, the Tripadvisor’s users have said after visiting this hotel: on their opinion, it is the most complete All inclusive among all the hotels offered by Spain.

Nevertheless, there are many other options in other destinations that have also received good reviews of their guests.  We are talking about, for example, Iberostar Son Antem, another 5-star hotel of Iberostar chain, located in Majorca, very close to Palma; Fergus Style Pollensa Park Spa or Fergus Style Cala Blanca Suites, both of them belonging to Fergus chain and situated in two of the main areas in the coast of Majorca.

The best way to save money when booking an All inclusive is by taking advantage of early booking deals that almost all the accommodations in Spain offer. Before March, prices and rates could have up to 30% off. Besides, this offers you the advantage of choosing among all the rooms and services of the hotel, since hotels are practically available in their entirety.

 

Barcelona and modernism

By Loren in Barcelona

We couldn’t talk about Barcelona without mentioning the word modernism two hundred times per mite. Yes, we exaggerate. Nevertheless, The Catalonian capital is one of those few places in the world where you can enjoy an artistic style in all its essence.  This, along with the excellent ability to present its attractions as a tourist destination, have turned Barcelona into one of the most famous and visited cities in the entire world.

 

The modernism attraction has not end. Or, at least, it seems. Years go by, there are more and more visitors, but it is still one of the most appreciated elements for those to visit the city -whether they go for the first time or they are tourists in love with the city, those who repeat every year-.

 

Museums, art centres all around the city, temporary exhibitions, guided visits to ancient palaces and houses of the Catalonian nobility… All the tourist circuit related to the modernism is reinvented every year, it grows, changes and adapt to the tastes, trends and whims of the new century travellers. An ability worthy of recognition to the city, people and its institutions. Everyone, in a joint effort, have always understood what their guests are looking for and have met their needs.

 

Modernist puppet shows; sunsets from the Palau Güell; international art exhibitions related to the modernist aesthetic; complete refurbishing of the programs offered by key centres such as the Art Museum of Catalonia, which launched its new program the last September; the yearly meeting of the Modernist Fair of Barcelona… Dozens and dozens of plans whose common factor is the art and made up one of the best elaborate tourist calendars of the country.

 

Accommodation in the modernist route

One of the most interesting experiences offered now by Barcelona is the possibility of staying  in one of the most emblematic modernist houses in the city. The ancient Casa Garriga Nogués, now turned into a 4-star hotel in the centre of Barcelona, is the perfect trip plan for art lovers and those who want to really enjoy this representative aspect of Barcelona.

Petit Palace Opera Garden Hotel

Petit Palace Opera Garden Hotel

Very close, you can find comfortable hotels of the same chain (Petit Palace), ideal to enjoy the charm of the centre of the city, but without the special benefits offered by a museum hotel such as the before mentioned.  Now, if you travel with a group, some of these accommodations could be the most suitable place to sleep: Petit Palace Ópera Garden, or a hotel close to La Boquería stand out for its functional rooms for families and groups.

 

Next to the Petit Palace hotels in Barcelona, Catalonia chain is another of the most recommended options to stay in the centre of the city. Modern hotels in areas such as Las Ramblas or close to La Sagrada Familia, offering the perfect combination of design, service and location: Catalonia Ramblas, Catalonia Atenas, Catalonia Sagrada Familia…

 

Although, as we can see, most of the hotels are situated in the centre of the city, and the best option is usually booking an accommodation next to Ciutat Vella and L’Eixample, it is true that the price is higher that in other important areas of the city.

 

There are affordable hotels in 22@Barcelona, close to Plaza de las Glorias, combining good price, large spaces (even larger than in the hotels of the historical centre) and excellent connections with the main tourist attractions of Barcelona. They are hotel focused on business tourism but they have services adapted to those who visit Barcelona in search of leisure and relax.

Confortel Barcelona Hotel

Confortel Barcelona Hotel

One of the most outstanding accommodations is, for example, the Confortel hotel with free wifi in Barcelona. Although, as we have mentioned before, it is a hotel with meeting rooms next to Plaza Las Glorias, it is worth it for price, location and service if you want to enjoy an affordable and comfortable trip to Barcelona with all your family.

Plan your 2015 holiday now!

By Loren in Destination

Dreaming of the beach in January? Relax, all we are dreaming of. Holiday seem to be so far but we already have the possibility of using our imagination to bear the winter. But to satisfy our thirst, we propose you to start from now. Yes,  star your holiday plan now!

First. Choosing the destination. This 2015 some Andalusian places are a must visit, for example Cádiz, Cáceres which will be the gastronomic capital of Spain during the entire year, the omnipresent Madrid, which has reinvented the tourist plans and has become an ideal destination to travel all the year round. Of course, we could not miss the classic Majorca, Ibiza or the Canary Islands, specially the south of Fuerteventura or Corralejo and Lanzarote.

The coast of Barcelona in summer or Cabo de Gata in Almería. Fuengirola for families, as well as the north, with Bilbao as the big capital where we can find music, gastronomy and nature everywhere. Which you prefer?

Barcelona coast

Barcelona coast

The next step is choosing a hotel. If it is clear that our first holiday destination is Madrid, we propose you some of its 4-star hotels in Madrid de los Austrias, the emblematic Posada del Peine, Petit Palace Mayor Plaza or a hotel in La Gran Vía close to everything you need.

If, on the contrary, you are still dreaming of beach, take advantage of the offers and book now your Holy Week in any of the islands: 5-star hotels in Majorca have wonderful deals during this first period of the year, so you can pamper yourself without many expenses.

Another beach holiday alternative is booking a resort in Jandia for couples or families, depending on the type of holidays you are planning. Jandia is the southern area of Fuerteventura, a place with paradisiacal beaches and really affordable prices.

Corralejo, in the north of the island, is a bit more expensive, since it is considered as one of the top destinations in the last years, so it boasts a high demand. Nevertheless, it is really worth it: it is an oasis of peace and tradition where you can enjoy the quietness as a couple, an amusing trip with your friends, you can practice windsurf, hike with the kids… Everything at your disposal.

Have you chosen Tenerife? Here the most recommended is to stay in a family resort in Costa Adeje, so you do not have to give up anything and you can travel with a fixed budget and everything within reach. This part of Tenerife, even though it is very visited, is also a perfect location to discover and visit the main tourist attractions of the island, to travel with children, with friends or as a couple, to enjoy all types of sports and to taste the best of the gastronomy from Tenerife. The capital is another accommodation option.

If you have a more flexible budget and you want to enjoy an authentic holiday, a hotel like Grand Hotel Mencey could be a choice that you won’t regret. Although it is a 5-star hotel in the centre of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, it has interesting accommodation deals if you book on the website and, additionally, it offers trip plans that you cannot enjoy in any other place: its cooking classroom in Tenerife is an authentic gastronomic luxury to make part of culinary courses. Plan an original trip and book an accommodation with cooking courses for couples or families.

5 star hotel in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

5 star hotel in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

 

If you prefer the south but you do not want to leave the Peninsula, we recommend you the coast of Almería. It is one of the most unknown places and in recent years has significantly improved its leisure and accommodation options, providing one of the best trip alternatives for families, active tourists, sports lovers and those who want to relax under the sun. The hotels close to Cabo de Gata, in areas such as Retamar or El Toyo, have refurbished their spaces and renewed the entertainment programs.

Huelva is another of the main holiday alternatives for 2015. An striking landscape along with inexhaustible options: beaches, activities for children and, the novelty, dream hotels for couples such as the Adults Only accommodation in Flecha del Rompido, belonging to Garden Hotels chain which has created an authentic summer oasis one the banks of some of the few pristine beaches in Costa de la Luz.

In the list of southern destinations, we could not miss Cádiz. This 2015 seems to be the year of the hotels in Calas de Conil, Roche and the centre of Cádiz, also called Tacita de Plata.

Although if you want to visit and enjoy Cádiz, there are a thousand options: hotels in front of La Barrosa beach, one of the most incredible beach areas in this coast, spa resorts in Chiclana…

And, to close the list, we go to Lanzarote. Romantic holiday? In this island we find a wide range of bungalows and luxury villas in Montaña Roja, ideal to get away from the routine and take a break as a couple in any time of the year.  Family trip? Hotels in Playa Flamingo or accommodation in Puerto del Carmen, whatever you choose, you can enjoy your summer 2015 with your loved ones as never before. Comfortably, with affordable budget and no surprises.

Are you ready to make your dreams a reality? We are!!

The latest news from IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Mencey

By Luke Durden in gastronomic hotels

A new year has begun and at the IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Mencey they have prepared a number of events and activities for this 2015 not to let anyone undecided. This boutique hotel in Tenerife, has years of history and boasts the most amazing stories and guests of all kinds and nationalities.

For those who are planning a holiday of total relaxation in the company of your partner, friends or with the whole family, we list some of the novelties present in the Grand Hotel Mencey.


Spa Sensations
Unrivaled facilities in an incomparable setting, the Spa Sensations of this IBEROSTAR hotel has the most modern facilities to enjoy all the pleasures you expect from a Spa of this category. For only 65€ per month you can enjoy unlimited access to all facilities and activities Spa.

Gourmet Brunch
Sundays without a brunch are not a real Sundays, and if you visit the restaurant and terrace of The Menceyes, much better. A traditional brunch on the terrace of the restaurant, which is part of the Cookery Classroom of El Mencey, has become a social event in Tenerife, that looks to consolidate in the winter months. For just 27€, all those who come to enjoy brunch will enjoy a real gourmet treat at an unbeatable price.

Mencey‘s appetizer
Every Saturday, starting at 12:00am, everyone that would like to do so, can enjoy an aperitif at the Iballa Cocktail Bar Hotel Mencey. At the same time, you can enjoy a range of gourmet tapas, such as bluefin tuna with wasabi caviar.

Mencey‘s Cookery Classroom
We can not forget Mencey’s flagship in terms of gastronomy. Do not hesitate to visit the website of the Mencey’s Cookery Classroom and check all the available cooking courses and the dates that they will be held in this gastronomic space. While designing the courses, they have taken into consideration the excesses committed by the majority of people during Christmas and New Year, so with the cooking courses, we will be able to enjoy light, healthy and surprising dishes to share with your families and friends.

Literary Madrid

By Loren in Uncategorized

It is one of the hearts of Madrid, one of those places where time and space have stopped, where the most authentic essence of the capital is preserved, its art, history and the pages written by some of the most representative Spanish authors.  Dotted with traditional bars, it is arranged in around ten small streets with names of mythical poets and writers that lived and stayed in this area of Madrid close to La Gran Vía and Congress of Deputies.

 Panorama of La Gran Vía in Madrid

El Barrio de Las Letras comprises Calle de la Cruz Jacinto Benavente Street, the emblematic Paseo del Prado, Atocha and the mythical Carrera de San Jerónimo. There are situated historical places such as Plaza del Ángel, Quevedo street and a bar with the same name, one of the must do tapas tours in Madrid, Huertas street and the pleasant Santa Ana square, perfect to have an aperitif in the terraces under the winter sun of Madrid.

The name of this neighbourhood is recent, but its origin is ancient. In a certain way, it is a tribute to one of the golden ages of the Spanish literature, specifically to Madrid throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. In these years, El Barrio de Las Letras in Madrid boasted so illustrious neighbours such as Quevedo, Cervantes, Lope and Góngora. Streets such as Calle del Mentidero -whose name comes from El Mentidero de los cómicos (The comedy club)-  Calle de Francos or the before mentioned Calle de la Cruz were places full of poetry, theatre, comedy and prose.

Nowadays, it is possible to walk around its streets and enjoy some of the traces of that time: the House-Museum of Lope de Vega, Convent of las Monjas Trinitarias Descalzas, San Sebastián Church… It is clear that not very much has been preserved, but the spirit is present in every corner and these street are still a must visit in Madrid.

The best option to know in depth El Barrio de Las Letras in Madrid is to book a hotel in La Gran Vía, close to Cibeles and Paseo del Prado. Your will be one step away from Puerta del Sol and Callao, and right next to the Golden Triangle of Art, La Latina and near to Lavapiés. The prices in this area are really affordable if you consider the price-quality relationship. Additionally, there is a wide range of alternatives, from guest houses for short and affordable trips to 3, 4 and 5 star hotels which are an authentic luxury. Here is a short list for those who are planning to escape to Madrid in these winter or spring months:

●       Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII

●       Iberostar De Las Letras

●       Petit Palace Art Gallery

●       Catalonia Las Cortes

●       Petit Palace Cliper Gran Vía

●       Posada del Peine

 

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.

 

Come enjoy the Mencey wine tasting festival

By Loren in gastronomic hotels

La Cocina del Mencey has prepared a special event to all the good wine lovers and those who want to learn about this fascinating world as well. It’s about the I Mencey Wine & Gourmet Festival, a wine tasting celebration with the exhibition of more than 30 different wines, like white, pink and cava.
The wine tasting will be in charge of professional staff from the Gusto por el Vino, Vinófilos and Bodegas Chivita. Not only aimed to wine connoisseurs but also to the haute cuisine and gourmet products lovers, as there will be a local, national and international wine exhibition, a delicacy sample will take place as well.

To be precise, the wine will be served with a meticulous Iberian selection brought by Montesano, as well as smoked fish and grilled meat brochettes from Vara del Rey, the chef masters from La Cocina del Mencey will also cook a luscious selection of cold and hot tapas for the occasion.

To complete this experience a beer bar will be open brought by Heineken and a Chill out with the Ginebra Premium Ish, a gastronomic day with ambient music played by the DJ from the restaurant of Grand Hotel Mencey in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

The event will take place on December 20 starting at 12:30 to 22:30 at the Iballa Cocktail Bar’s roundabout. Don’t miss the opportunity and come enjoy with us the good wine and the Mencey high cuisine. You will not only taste delightful wines and products, but be assure that you will spent a pleasant day in the best environment.

 

Luxury Adults Only Hotels that will not dissappoint you

By Loren in Luxury Hotels

It is not a secret that the sector of Adults Only hotels has established as one of the best administered businesses. And we should not be surprised about it because they have a large public that prefer this type of accommodations, a public seeking peace and spaces “free of children” during their holiday.

Luxury hotels are also joining this type of accommodations by ensuring to the guests that they will rest placidly in all the spaces of the hotel provided with, of course, 5-star services and facilities.

IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Trinidad

IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Trinidad

Iberostar is one of the chains that is taking advantage of the potential of this business sector and is investing in it. This company has a series of luxury Adults Only hotels that can captivate any customer.

In the Canary Islands, for example, the chain has several accommodations where they offer spaces intended to be wellness oasis exclusively targeted to adults. Iberostar Grand Hotel Salomé is one of them. It is a 5-star Adults Only hotel in the south of Tenerife, equipped with the most complete and luxury facilities.

In the same island is also located Iberostar Grand Hotel Mencey, a 5-star Adults Only hotel in Tenerife. Spacious rooms designed for well-being, luxury suites, haute cuisine… Everything a customer could imagine and, specially, the peace and quiet that only an Adults Only hotel could guarantee.

IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Mencey

IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Mencey

The chain has also in the same island the Iberostar Grand Hotel El Mirador, an elegant and luxury Adults Only hotel in Costa Adeje, in the south of the island. It is probably one of the best 5-star hotels in Tenerife. A place especially designed for those customers who are seeking pleasure and relax without worries.

But the Canary Islands are not the only destination where this Majorcan company has invested in this type of accommodations.  It has also opened hotels with similar characteristics in many other cities, such as Cuba. There the chain has the Iberostar Gran Hotel Trinidad, a 5-star Adults Only hotel in the centre of Trinidad.

They all share similar characteristics: luxury, elegant facilities, personalized services, gourmet gastronomy, dream locations and… peace. They offer the comfort and relax customers are seeking for their holiday, ensuring they will not feel bothered as sometimes happens when children are close.