Dann hotels and the new hotel form in Latin-America

By Luke Durden in Colombia

Exquisite gastronomy, design spaces, large bedrooms and a varied list of services thought to offer you completely different new experiences all in one place, gathering all kind of guests, that’s the Dann hotels style, one of the most advanced hotel chains in Latin-America, a new generation of hotels that adapt to a new generation of travellers with an accommodation for each one of them.

Distinguished, with a classic style, and a remarkable service this Colombian hotel chain doesn’t leave its characteristic tradition away, its true north charms the regular guests and the new ones discover a place that looks just made for them, like the  Dann Bogotá Hotel; Casa Dann Carlton Hotel & Spa in Bogotá; and the Dann Bogotá Norte Hotel.

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Most of them offer the typical urban services, thought for short stays to go out to know the places of interest or shopping or long stays for health or business related. This way, all of them offer you relaxation areas (some of them even have a Spa centre, beauty salon, beauty treatments, sport centre), meeting hall for large activities or little halls for corporate meetings, restaurants and lounge bars, with all the local style and taste, with the best quality, all of this with the most personalized service for all kind of guests.

The Casa Dann Carlton Hotel & Spa in Bogotá is an example of the exclusive areas, like the amazing terraces with a panoramic view to the city, located close to the 93 park. The bedrooms and suites in the centre of the north district of Bogotá and to the deluxe apartments for long stays make this hotel the perfect accommodation regardless your travel reason. It is the hotel chain flagship, the most cared and luxurious of them, it even has a conference centre with 16 halls to host all kind of high class celebrations and events.

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More discreet, but still luxurious, the Dann Avenida 19 is a hotel in La Candelaria neighbourhood, a charming place with a classic decoration, with a baroque touch, and a restrained air, with some areas oriented to the businessmen, with with spice and colour in the rest of it. It is a 4 star hotel in the centre of Bogotá, greatly evaluated (and still does) for both the Colombian travellers and the Americans and Europeans which are the usual guests.

Despite most of their large hotels are located in Bogotá, The Dann hotel chain also offer they cared service in Medellín, Cali, Cartagena and Ibagué. The last one, the Dann Combeima is actually a renowned hotel for events in Colombia since it has several meeting hall with specialized services for businessmen and some different areas in addition to that, from business halls, to executive bedrooms, restaurant with catering service and a Gym.

The hotel chain has a corporative website and several individual sites specialized according each hotel, each site has a special area of online offers that allow you to find accommodation packs, with the best price and quality service, it’s recommended to check both the corporative website and the individual one since both usually offer very competitive prices.

 

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.

 

Garden Hotels: new summer beach clubs

By Loren in Resorts

Beach clubs are in fashion. They are taking the lead of 2015 summer events focusing the attention on all those who plan their holidays in beach areas in Spain. With important models in clubbing areas such as Ibiza, they are now situated in all tourist areas in Spain, specifically in the best beaches, leaving behind the traditional beach bars characterised by their fried fish, beer and sandwiches and that were the summer kings in Spain until now.

We like them because of their design, style, music and relaxed ambience, their cocktails and magnificent sunsets.  Many private clubs of family companies or chains have established in the coast, renewing the beach bars and turning them into authentic chill out music palaces.  Many of them belong to hotels that have taken advantage of their location in front of the sea to captivate their customers and attract locals and tourists that, although they do not stay at these hotels, can enjoy their music and cocktails.

One of the last chains that have joined this trend of beach clubs in Majorca is Garden Hotels, which has just opened the Samsara Pool Beach with a high level event (with the irreverent Mario Vaquerizo at the top of the poster) promising a summer full of themed parties in Playa de Muro, where it is located.

Garden Holiday Village Hotel is also located in Playa de Muro.  Its modern beach club in Majorca is situated right in the pools and gardens area of the hotel and is directly connected to the sea. It offers live music with some of the most renowned DJs in the island and an excellent drinks and cocktails menu.  Likewise, it has a complete events calendar including themed parties open to the public and special advantages for those who book a room in their hotel in Playa de Muro.

Its design is inspired by simple, fresh and very Mediterranean lines, with exotic details.  Its lush gardens surrounding the chill out area blend perfectly with the atmosphere. Very close you will find other beach clubs, so you can always opt for a tour around Muro and reserve the weekends of the next months.  You will never have enough time to make the most of all.

 

What’s new in the IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Mencey

By Luke Durden in gastronomic hotels

This June the Tenerife Island will have lots of news and activities to enjoy with family and friends.  The arrival of summer increases the number of proposals available on the island. Here we have some of these activities you shouldn’t miss this month.

During the weekend of June 13 and 14 the 4th edition of Mencey Fashion Room will take place in the IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Mencey turning it into an authentic concept store in the city of Santa Cruz in Tenerife. The hotel will change 50 bedrooms into luxurious fashion boutiques, jewelleries and decorations. The Mencey fashion room will be open for everybody, besides the fashion show, guests will enjoy the best live music and the gastronomic area Gastrolounge, specialized in high cuisine and the most amazing cocktails.

Every Saturday after 11, guests can enjoy the Mencey’s aperitif at the Iballa Cocktail Bar terrace.

During the night the Mencey Lounge Nights will continue this month with themed nights full of spice. The first night will be this Friday 5 of June at 19, where the theme will be ceviche and tartars. Guest will have the opportunity to enjoy a tuna tartar with mustard by 5 euros only,  accompanied with Peruvian cocktails and Cuban mojitos.

On Friday 19, at the same hour as before, the second night of Mencey Lounge nights will take place. This second evening will be theme with Andalucia’s flavours, like fried fish, Andalusian Calamari, shrimps tortilla, salmorejo, etc., drinks will be Andalusian of course: Chamomile, summer wine and the rebujito.

Regarding the cooking courses in the Mencey  cookery classroom, this June it will offer two cooking courses. One of them about  fresh potatoes and Italian sauces, given by the Italian chef Paola Soggiu, 1stplace winner in the VI Regional event of Canarian chefs. The course will be on June 22 from 17:30 to 20:30, with a 38 euros price.

The second cookery room will be on June 29 from 17:30 to 20:30, it will be about a banquet recipe for special occasions. This course will teach you how to cook snacks, canapés and fruit Sculptures, etc.). By the hand of Alberto Nieto we will learned how to surprise your family and friends with a delicious summer banquet.

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!

Popayán, the white city of Colombia

By Loren in Colombia

Popayán is a dazzling city to get lost between its colonial buildings that lead you through time to this beautiful settlement origin. Capital of Cauca’s department. Located in the Pubenza valley, one of the oldest and well preserved towns of the American’s continent.

This antique town, known by its white facades that gives the image of a city cover by a white cloak, where it got the White city name. Some of the older buildings were remodelled and used as hotels, like the Dann Monasterio Popayán Hotel: an antique Franciscan monastery from 1570 which has a unique colonial architecture, turned into a luxury hotel in Popayán.

This Colombian city is an interesting destination thanks to its architectural heritage, with some singular religious buildings such as the Belén, Carmen and Francisco chapels, and other places of worship like the Ermita or the religious art museum. To visit these places, travellers can make a reservation in any hotel in the centre of Popayán which also have an incredible architectural wealth.

One of the best season to visit Popayán is during the holy week, when the whole city change in order to show its devotion in the festivities. Each years the city gathers many visitors that come to see the holy week processions in Popayán, declared oral and immaterial masterpiece of world heritage by the UNESCO.

The city not only shines by its architecture but its delicious gastronomy as well, in fact, it was declared city of Gastronomy by the UNESCO in 2005, thanks to its tasty, and varied cuisine, and for being itself a legacy from the traditional Colombian cooking methods.

The gastronomy from Valle del Cauca is consider Colombian’s world heritage, it has a variety of dishes made with a mixture of local ingredients and other brought from Spain, some of these traditional dishes are the caratanta, the soups, pumpkin seed tamale, pumpkin seed empanada, or the vegetables recipe like the huerta fríana potatoes.

Some of the best hotels in Popayán, offers a very rich Colombian menu, making a whole new experience to the guests, what’s better than touring Popayán to get fancy with the traditional cuisine, places like Humilladero bridge, located between the centre of the city and the Bolívar neighbourhood, other beautiful places to know are the Casa Mosquera museum, built in the XVIII century, o the Negret museum of modern art where the artist Edgar Negret Dueñas lived, and we can appreciate their whole life work where.

You can also visit some monuments like the Clock tower, built between 1673 and 1682, the pantheon of the heroes or the historical district which is considered a national monument.

The best season to visit Barcelona has begun

By Loren in Barcelona

Barcelona in May, is a luxury, and those who ever made a reservation during spring in this Mediterranean capital know it. The design, fashion and trend city shines radiantly this time of the year, when the heat rises and the sun can be enjoyed since morning.

So if you’re able to extend your stay a few days from the weekend, we recommend you a short trip to Barcelona and enjoy every single thing. In order to do that we have a tip list to enjoy it the most, keep reading and take notes.

1)    Accommodation in Barcelona. First of all, start right away to look for a hotel in Barcelona, an Airbnb accommodation or a hostel, since the accommodation is very crowded on this month thanks to the events (festivals, fairs, concerts, etc) and the prices will rise along with the market demand until June.

You already read our advices like a million times: book in a hotel in the centre of Barcelona if you have the chance. You really don’t need a car to move in the city, unless you want to know some towns from the Barcelona’s coast. The public transportation is perfect to move around the capital and it save you money and time.

Some of the featured hotels in Barcelona are in the Ramblas and Boquería zone, at the beginning of Eixample y Gràcia. However, another option would be opt for hotels in Plaza de las Glorias, the Pobre Now, and near Forum since they’re more affordable.

Prices may not be cheap, Barcelona is an expensive city, even more than Madrid, at least in accommodation, but the quality services are excellent, a high level service.

2)    Interesting routes. Besides Borne, the Gótico, the modern routes, the commercial areas and the best tapas y tascas zone, Barcelona has a variety of alternative touristic routes that you shouldn’t miss. The GoBcn offers us different activities, such as the hidden Raval route or the hidden Gracia, that will change the way you see this peculiar neighbourhood in Barcelona. This tours usually cost around 14 euros per person, they are in the morning and includes a vermouth and aperitifs. The web Turisme,is the entity that promotes the city tourism. You also have the opportunity to know the centre of Barcelona, both the classical and the modern areas, one of them is the Contemporary Barcelona which makes an itinerary of the city through its architecture from the xx to the xxI century.

3)    Downtown tapas Barcelona has thousands of excellent places to go and have some tapas and fresh cañas right in the centre of the city. The atmosphere in both the street and the buildings will captivate you, we recommend the Quimet I Quimet, the Esquinica (typical aragonese cuisine), the vermouth in the Xampanyet, the best cañas in El Vaso de Oro, the unique environment in the Gata mala and the unmissable San José Market (Boquería)

4)  Music and more music. May is the month of music in Barcelona, with international concerts with the best bands such as AC/DC, and to end the spring we will have the Primavera sound with the best independent groups nowadays, an excuse to come to the city and enjoy with your friends.

 

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.

Chiclana, a surf lovers paradise

By Loren in Andalusia

Chiclana de la Frontera is one of the best surf spots that gather surfers from all over the country and the world too, just to ride those perfect waves. This town, located in Costa de la Luz, between Cádiz and Tarifa, is the right place to start a trip through southern Spain and enjoy the surf spots as well as the touristic destinations.

Chiclana de la Frontera beach

Chiclana de la Frontera beach

The best seasons to surf in Chiclana are in October and May since the waves increase significantly thanks to the winter storms in the Pacific Ocean. It’s also ideal to go on a trip to Chiclana with your couple, family or with friends since you can enjoy the warm weather and go to the beaches without worrying about the heat.

The perfect weather and wave conditions makes it one of the preferred surf destinations in Cádiz, but surf isn’t the only sport practiced there, the kitesurf and windsurf are popular too. The reason might be that wind blows assiduously, perfect for those who love sailing.

Chiclana isn’t just for experts, is a good option for those who want to learn to surf too, you can find several schools across the coastal area that will give you surfing lessons practically during the whole year. Amateurs begin where the waves are gentle, moving to better places as you improve your surf skills.

On the other hand, the accommodation shouldn’t be a problem since there are many seaside hotels in Chiclana with services that will complement your holiday.

So if you want to learn how to surf but you’re travelling with children, Chiclana is your destination, since you will find many family hotels in Cádiz near the best spots to surf.

IBEROSTAR Playa Gaviotas Park, beach, children and relaxation

By Loren in Fuerteventura

There’s no better place for summer like the Canary Islands, and today we are going to add a must-visit hotel in our summer 2015 list. The IBEROSTAR Playa Gaviotas Park, a family hotel in Fuerteventura, a special place for family holiday, for those who like to spend time in family and enjoy the free time.

This hotel is a deluxe destination, located in the Gaviotas Beach in Fuerteventura and close to the Matorral beach, a family resort in Jandía stands out thanks to its special service for family holiday, the affordable prices and its cuisine, the menu is wide and varied, something unusual in these types of hotels.

Additionally, its adult services are worth to mention, with the Thai Zen SPAce wellness centre, that offers Asian health and beauty treatments. This is the oasis where you are going to relax and enjoy since is reserved for over 16 years, while children play at the playgrounds or the kid pool area under the staff protection.

Many guests usually return thanks to the child care staff and security that the IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts always offers. A renowned hotel in the family segment, that always know how to leave the guests expectations satisfied, as the reviews in Tripadvisor support it.

Location

The hotel location is ideal. A resort next to the Jandía beach, one of the most important beaches in the southern Fuerteventura. It’s also close to the famous El Matorral beach, that has a family area and a hidden area for nudist lovers (smaller every year)

The Morro Jable town is near too. A small fishing area where you can enjoy the great atmosphere, the daily and night activities and its local cuisine, specially the bars and restaurants near the docks, where you can find the most delicious fishes and fish stews.

Amenities and services

The Playa Gaviotas Park hotel, like the IBEROSTAR Playa Gaviotas (next to the hotel), offers an all-inclusive service, kid pool areas, and adult pools, a wide solarium around the pools, bars, restaurants, snack bar, playgrounds, lounge areas, live performances, bowling alley, babysitting, breakfast service the whole morning, sports and direct beach access.

Rooms

The rooms in the Playa Gaviotas Park Hotel are something worth to mention. They all are suites or junior suites, some of them have a view to the sea, a true holiday paradise. Guests also like the spacious facilities and the furniture, all of them are more than 30 square metres long, and have private bathroom and terrace.

Some of them even have a living room with comfortable sofa, TV inside and outside the room, its designed for family trips, but you can make a couple reservation and enjoy all the place for the two of you, with an affordable price of course.

Reservations

The reservations for the IBEROSTAR Playa Gaviotas Park can be made directly on their official website, or on the hotel chain page. You can be sure that both sites offers you the lowest price online.