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.

October’s latest news from IBEROSTAR’s Grand Mencey hotel

By Luke Durden in gastronomic hotels

This month of October is packed with news from the Mencey’s Cookery Classroom. Summer has come to an end, making way to an always melancholic autumn. However, there is no reason not to enjoy this time of year and the Iberostar Grand Mencey hotel and its Cookery Classroom, are the perfect place for it.

Begoña Rodrigo, the winner of the famous TV contest TOP CHEF 2013, will visit Mencey’s Cookery Clasroom to offer an exclusive cooking course. The event will take place on Friday the 10th of October, priced at 60€ per person. The chef and owner of the restaurant La Salita in Valencia, will delight attendees with a “gastroshow” where she will present exclusively some of the delicious dishes served at her restaurant.

IBEROSTAR Grand Mencey Cookery Classroom

IBEROSTAR Grand Mencey Cookery Classroom

Some of the popular dishes of this course, include rice plankton with octopus carpaccio and Mary aioli sauce, or the paratana with pigs trotters juice and sweet and sour vegetables. The wine pairing will include the wines from the Bodegas Masaveu, including wines such as the Fillaboa 2013 or the Murua gran Reserva.

However, the cooking courses of this iconic gourmet hotel in Santa Cruz de Tenerife don’t end here. On Thursday the 9th of October, led by Chef Richard Andrade, you’ll discover all the secrets of Japanese cuisine. The class includes how to cook the perfect rice for sushi, as well as learning to make makis, shushi, niguiris and the sauces that go with it. You can book here your cooking class in Tenerife.

One of the most demanded courses among those attending the previous courses of the Mencey’s Cookery Classroom was a whiskey tasting. The time has come, and all thanks to Mencey’s bartender Chema Vicente. The course will be held on Wednesday the 15th of October, from 17.00 to 20.30, and it is priced at

Gold and spa, the perfect combination for autumn

By Loren in Uncategorized

We have the perfect excuse for receiving the autumn with the same attitude we receive summer. Which? A relaxing golf and spa getaway to the Andalusian coast, to Majorca or Tenerife. You choose the destination and we propose some of the most complete golf and spa hotels and the most interesting discounts!

If you have chosen Majorca as destination for enjoying an autumn to getaway and escaping from the routine, we propose you a different hotel, away from the typical beach accommodations and the classic family hotels in Majorca: a golf resort next to Palma, with a complete spa environment, including holistic area and personalized massage menu. It is a 5 star hotel featuring two golf courses and an excellent gastronomic service. One night costs approximately 165 Euros for Room Only Accommodation, double room (2 adults). Another interesting option is to book a spa hotel in Santa Ponsa (Calvià coast) or a spa hotel in Playa de Palma.

Iberostar Son Antem golf hotel in MajorcaIberostar Son Antem, hotel de golf Mallorca

If you prefer the Canary Islands, you have many excellent alternatives:  a spa hotel in Tenerife, a spa hotel in Fuerteventura, or an Adults Only hotel in Gran Canaria.

Any of them will give you the possibility of enjoying the pleasure of taking care of yourself next to some of the best beaches in the island. Besides, peace and sun are guaranteed in the eternal spring of the Canary Islands. One night at these hotels costs around 100 Euros, including accommodations and breakfast in a double room.

The Andalusian coast is another of the classic destinations in autumn, there we always find a pleasant weather until November and enjoy a health and sports therapy. Our accommodation proposal in the Andalusian coast will leave you in the Golf Valley and its surroundings. Our recommendations are a spa hotel in Marbella and a spa resort in Chiclana, next to La Barrosa beach.

Without going away from this destination in the south of Spain, you have the option of staying in a resort for golf lovers: a golf hotel in Isla Canela or a golf hotel in Chiclana, both of them offer prices per night from 40 Euros per person on half-board.

Quito: the magic of a different destination

By Loren in Colombia

When you plan your holiday, the first questions are where, when and _who _, we want to help you with those questions and invite you to discover a different destination, one of those places that, a priori, we would not search on the map. Quito, the wonderful capital of Ecuador. Are you ready to visit it?

From Madrid, you can find flights with many companies, offers of more or less 300 Euros  and usual prices of almost 800 Euros (return ticket) The accommodations offer various prices depending on the place you choose to book a hotel in Quito. Our recommendation is to opt for a room in the financial centre of Quito, close to the commercial area, although the old quarter is ideal for staying some days and enjoying the most authentic Quito.

Dann Carlton Quito Hotel

Precisely now, Quito is more fashionable than ever, It is now one of the finalists in the selection of the 7 wonder cities and it was in the past the first city declared World Heritage by the Unesco, thanks to its historical richness.

The capital of Ecuador, located in Pichincha, is in the most western part of the Andes . Its height requires to stay a couple of days, especially those who travel from other continents, in order to get used and avoid tiredness

Temperatures are very similar to the north of Spain, with significant changes between day and night, with 25 degrees at day and 10 degrees at night. The most important places to visit are, besides the historical centre, the called Mitad del Mundo, the rural parishes, and La Mariscal, as well as its surroundings.

In the old quarter, the must visit places in Quito are:

– La Ronda street: the best place for finding the perfect combination of fun, local cuisine and traditional crafst of Quito.

– El Panecillo: ideal place for enjoying the best views of Quito.

– San Francisco de Quito Square: the heart of the city.

– Corondelet Palace: it is the presidential palace, located in the mythical Siete Cruces street.

– Quito Cathedral: it is considered one of the oldest religious buildings in the whole continent.

 

 

 

The charm of the coast of Barcelona

By Luke Durden in Barcelona

From Montgat to Magrat de Mar, where the river La Tordera flows into the sea, runs the entire coast called Costa de Barcelona o the Maresme coast, one of the most well-known coasts in Catalonia for its spectacular beaches and the charm and essence of its small fishing villages. A traditional national tourist destination, it counts with the name of places that breath summer and that have become a reference for many families in Spain, such as Caldetas, Calella, Santa Susanna…

One of the best towns to find accommodation in Maresme region is Calella due to its magnificent urban beach, Port Bo. It is one of the most authentic of this coast, and it maintains the tradition of fishermen clouding the coast with small colourful boats. It stands out for its quiet atmosphere and for providing adequate services for tourists.

Esglesia Street is the busiest commercial street in Calella de Palafrugrell, an excellent place to experience the beauty of this traditional family holiday destination: souvenir shops, beach bars, restaurants, bars, children’s playgrounds.

Nearby is the lighthouse of San Sebastian, an area of cliffs and rocky coves where you can enjoy a romantic escapade away from it all, and with a charm that gives the town of Llafranc, one that still remains intact, away from mass tourism. Here you can see one of the best sunsets on the Maresme coast, and sample some of the tastiest seafood dishes of this region of Catalonia.

If we move onwards, we find several touristic villages where it is relatively easy to find a good accommodation at very low prices. Hotels in Santa Susanna, for example, offer full services, a privileged location facing some of the best beaches on the coast of Barcelona like the Llevant beach, Les Caletes beach and the beach of Les Dunes.

If instead of booking Santa Susanna you book a hotel in Lloret de Mar, you’ll enjoy the last village in the Maresme region, located right next to the river Tordera, that borders with the coast of Girona. Its great beach of 7 km in length is one of its main attractions, which has led it to be one of the most tourist destinations in the Maresme. However, Malgrat de Mar is much more than beach. It is worth visiting Monte Castell, from where you can see the whole town and its surroundings including, the church of St. Nicholas, also called the Cathedral of the Coast, due to its location and large size, bearing in mind that Malgrat is by no means one of the largest towns of the coast of Barcelona.

 

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…

 

Andalucia, an autumn that smells like summer

By Luke Durden in Andalusia

Andalucia, especially its coastal destinations such as Cadiz and Malaga, are the best reference to enjoy an autumn of golf breaks, well-being, gastronomy and culture. As one of the regions with the best climate all year round in Spain, it also offers a wide range of recreational activities along with all types of services, specialized and targeted to audiences of all ages, and with different travel motivations. So, booking an All Inclusive hotel in Torrox – Costa, can be a very good option to prolong the summer with the family during these first days of September, while the spa hotels in Marbella are ideal if you are looking to charge with extra energy before returning to the daily routines from work, your home and going back to school.

The Andalusian culture is a perfect companion to the landscape and climate benefits that this community has in southern Spain. Beyond flamenco music and singing, Malaga is one of the main cities that has very strong ties to Spain’s cinema industry, together with San Sebastian, and is also, home to Pablo Picasso’s museum. The best to quietly enjoy everything in the city is to choose a hotel in the centre of Malaga and organize a cultural break with family or friends. Malaga is also the perfect destination to take advantage of autumn’s nights with a drink in the open air at Larios Street.

Iberostar Malaga Playa

Iberostar Malaga Playa

To take advantage of the sun and the beach and enjoy a different view, with no crowds, and with spectacular locations where you can practice all kinds of outdoor sports, Andalucia has several possibilities, but without a doubt, one of the most valued are the holidays in Huelva. In this province, beach and nature are blended in a unique way, creating places such as the marshes of the Guadiana and its traditional culture can be felt in every corner of their beautiful villages, like Ayamonte, which is near the border with Portugal and the tourist destinations of Isla Canela and Isla Cristina.

Sports and relaxation are two of the main motivations that attract travellers who decide to spend a few days in this area of Costa de la Luz. Many are those who book golf hotels in Isla Canela, beachfront hotels for surfing and wellness resorts that are perfectly integrated into the landscape, and invite you to disconnect for the whole weekend, without to many troubles, and prices are actually very competitive.

In Cadiz, the main attraction is the pristine waters of its beaches, the unspoilt coastline and its excellent traditional cuisine. The so called Tacita de Plata is always a success if you plan an escapade with your partner or with a group of friends, as it offers the right amount of culture, entertainment and nightlife along with a unique heritage and eating options.

Staying in the city of Cádiz is a good alternative if you are looking for hustle, art and cultural events in general. If what you want is to enjoy the beach and rest before going back to school, the best option would probably have to be a spa hotel in Chiclana or a golf hotel in Chiclana, as this town is one that has the best services for visitors and some of the most beautiful sceneries in the whole coast of Cádiz. For a romantic escapade, we recommend choosing a hotel in Calas de Conil, as here you can find the quieter beaches on the coast.

The new cooking courses at the Mencey’s Cookery Classroom

By Luke Durden in gastronomic hotels, Uncategorized

September begins with in full glory at Mencey’s Cookery Classroom, after a summer filled with news and special nights in this idyllic setting. The IBEROSTAR Grand Mencey Hotel is one of the most prestigious gastronomic hotels, with a long gastronomic tradition in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Her cooking classes, many of which are gourmet courses in Tenerife with internationally renowned chefs offer you the chance to become a real chef for a few hours.

On Thursday the 18th of September, the first cooking course of the season was held, and was centred around the “hot and cold around Appetizers served around the table“. This cooking course is designed to surprise family and friends in our homes, with some extremely creative appetitive and appetizers, very easy to prepare, and will definitely delight our guests. Some of the recipes that will be prepared include a Smith ham roll, Caesar salad snack, cauliflower pure with a crispy prawns and red fruits sauce.

Cooking lessons at Mencey's Cookery Classroom

The Cocktail Bar Iballa will continue to offer during the month of September the emblematic nights of the Mencey Lounge. The Mencey Lounge combines the best culinary proposals and the best live music, in a unique and incomparable space. Come and enjoy a perfect night at the Mencey!
On the Friday the 19th of September, the Mencey Lounge will offer a selection of gourmet tapas and pintxos, including mini Spanish avocado omelettes and tuna, fried morcillas with caramelized onions…

NOCHES MENCEY LOUNGE A IBALLA COCKTAIL BAR

On Friday 26th of September, the nights of the Mencey Lounge will surprise you with a delicious sushi and a wide selection of hot and cold snacks. The selection of tapas will be paired with local and national wines, and of course, the delicious and exotic cocktails from our bar.

One final announcement to make, the following month of October there will be a special guest, Begoña Rodriguez, the winner of the TV show Top Chef 2013. Guests will be able to enjoy a degustation menu with many surprises…

Sports that you must try while in Fuerteventura

By Luke Durden in Water sports

Fuerteventura is one of the favourite destinations for all those who practice water sports, like surfing or windsurfing. Its excellent winds and spectacular beaches that extend along miles of virtually unspoiled coastline, make this island a paradise to venture to learn or, for those who are already active fans, to escape to and enjoy the excitement of the ferocious Atlantic waves. In fact, it is in Fuerteventura where every summer the World Windsurfing and Kiteboarding Championship is celebrated.

If you have planned to travel to Fuerteventura this Autumn, and you are a windsurf enthusiast, book a hotel in Corralejo and challenge yourself to try the incredible waves created in this northern coast. The best beaches to practise windsurfing are Mats Blanca, El Burro, Piedra Playa and Butihondo, and close to them (or very close to) you find schools dedicated exclusively to this sport, with intensive courses for those spending a few days on the island.

Iberostar Playa Gaviotas Park

Iberostar Playa Gaviotas Park

Diving is another water sport that you can enjoy on Fuerteventura like in no other place. In this case, the best advice is that you choose a hotel in Playa de Jandia or a hotel near Matorral beach, as it is here, at the southern end of the island where you find the calmer waters, and the immersions allow greater visibility, as well as an additional level of safety.

For those that prefer ground sports, it is always a good alternative is to choose a hotel in Jandia and organise trekking, Nordic walking and hiking trips in the area surrounding the coast, where you can find stunning beaches like Cofete beach.

Parasailing, water skiing, climbing and canyoning, caving… Fuerteventura lends itself to almost any sporting whim that visitors have, and prices are quite affordable. Also, if you do not want or cannot move your sporting equipment, there is a good number of shops and nautical schools that rent out all necessary equipment without problems.

Jandia in September

By Luke Durden in Fuerteventura

Traveling to the Jandia peninsular in September is one of the best options if one wishes to enjoy all the charm of this area in the south of Fuerteventura without suffering the extreme heat and an excess of tourists, which is normal in the high season but without renouncing the great summer atmosphere in this holiday paradise.

Book a room by Jandia beach or choose a good family resort in Playa Gaviotas, it is more economical at this time at the end of the summer and the climate is still mild,  slightly windy but without causing discomfort and it is ideal for practicing sports such as surf and windsurf, the top activities on the island.  The hotels near to the beach of El Matorral and Costa Calma are amongst the best that can be found in the south of Fuerteventura and have the advantage of being very near to the delightful Morro Jable village, where concentrated are a large part of the cultural and gastronomic offer of this beautiful natural peninsular.

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Forming part of the municipality of Pajara, is one of the most spectacular natural areas in Fuerteventura – until recently with the category of Jandia National Park – and it is an ideal destination for hiking and September is one of the best months, with very agreeable temperatures, the hours of sunshine continue until late in the afternoon and the routes are less populated.

During September in this area, are celebrated the “Octopus fiestas” at nearby Puertito de la Cruz, which also includes a traditional race between the lighthouses of the Punta de Jandia.  Athletes both professional and amateurs attend from all over the island and every year there are more foreigners participating.  Gastronomy, sport and diversion for all ages, the highlights of summer.

If you are travelling with the family and book a children’s hotel in Jandia, rent a car and visit some of the theme parks available, such as the Oasis Park La Lajita or the Acua Water Park and some of the interior villages where the kids can enjoy the authentic Canarian atmosphere.