Trinity Conferences, business unit manager and destination champion for Barcelona, Tory Griffiths reveals her six secrets of the Catalan capital’s hotel scene
IHG has recently opened a Crowne Plaza at the Barcelona Fira Center. It’s the first Crowne Plaza in this region and boasts 276 bedrooms and 12 meeting rooms. The maximum capacity is 900 people theatre-style. There is a Wellness Centre, fitness room and VIP Club Lounge.
Barcelona city centre is only a few metro stops away so you’re within easy reach of Gaudi’s impressive Sagrada Familia and the street entertainers and pavement cafes of Las Ramblas.
http://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/gb/en/barcelona/bcncp/hoteldetail
AC Hotels by Marriott is continuing its European expansion with a recently opened hotel, 15km from Barcelona. The four-star Sant Cugat del Valles is in the business area of Sant Joan. It is just 150-metres from the railway station and 30-minutes by train from Placa Catalunya into central Barcelona so makes an idea value option for groups. The hotel has 152 rooms and nine meeting rooms along with an outdoor pool and gym.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bcnsc-ac-hotel-sant-cugat/
Hilton Doubletree opened the Alexandra in late December 2013. Centrally located in the commercial area of Paseo de Gracia this hotel provides a comfortable and modern base in the heart of Barcelona. It has 116 rooms and five meetings rooms with a maximum capacity of 120 theatre-style.
http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/spain/alexandra-barcelona-a-doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-BCNMADI/index.html
The Mandarin Oriental Barcelona has recently unveiled its new luxurious suites.
With interiors by leading Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola, the rooms and suites are amongst the most luxurious in Barcelona. This hotel has two meeting rooms for 50 theatre-style, which can be divided into smaller sections.
http://www.mandarinoriental.com/barcelona/
Future openings include Grand Hyatt taking over Barcelona’s Torre Agbar (affectionately labeled the Barcelona Gherkin). North American Hyatt is ploughing 35 million euros to transform the 145-meter-tall building into one of its grand luxe hotels, with several restaurants and a view point open to the public.
Finally, one to watch - Soho House has announced plans to open a new members club in Barcelona, at the end of 2104. It’ll be set over six levels of a 19th century apartment block on Plaza Medinaceli, adjacent to the port and will include events space, available for hire.
Article by
Mike Fletcher