Carlsberg don't do hotels, but if they did it might be like the AC Hotel in Jerez. It is a modern hotel which was built adjoining the Chapin Olympic Football Stadium on the outskirts of Jerez. OK, it's not Madrid but our six day stay last September did coincide with a fixture against CD Castellon. The large window of our room opened out into the 22,000 seater stadium and the electric atmosphere of the live game. We had a better view than some of the supporters (and we had our free mini-bar close at hand for half-time refreshments. (The hotel provides free soft drinks and beer but they didn't seem to mind us using it for our own purchases - sherry, wine, beer, jamon, cheese, ....) Or we could relax on our large freshly laundered sheets, or use our sparkling en-suite bathroom.
OK, I confess, I'm not that keen on football and we didn't actually choose this hotel for it's location. We did find it a peaceful, safe haven after a heavy day of tapas and sherry. We wanted to visit Jerez during the annual September sherry festival, and as we had stayed in other hotels in the AC group and liked them, we booked into this one. It didn't disappoint. In the large, bright reception area, we were greeted by welcoming staff who spoke excellent English and helped us with maps, booking tickets and using the local bus.
This area also has a comfortable, inviting seating area with full length windows overlooking the pitch. As you enjoy the comfy sofas and air-conditioning you can also make use of the free beans-to-cup coffee machine, mini danish pastries and refrigerated soft drinks.
Unfortunately, the restaurant is also in this large, light open-plan area. Although the menu looked good, we didn't like the idea of people getting out of the lift and admiring our dinner, so we didn't opt to eat in the hotel.
Also, it's in a fairly residential area quite a walk from the bodegas and old town of Jerez. We did work out a route which took about 20 minutes. This is more direct than the bus route which doesn't take you through the nicest areas of Jerez. It is a little quicker though and costs less than 1 Euro.
There is a Champion hypermarket 10 minutes walk from the hotel which is handy for supplies and the Gonzalez Byass Bodega provide free delivery of your sherry to your hotel if you spend enough! (20 Euros,I think)
The hotel has an underground car park (which you pay for) and a free car park in front of the hotel which is barrier-controlled. This hotel was the cheapest of our holiday and excellent value for money, perhaps because this is a town people tend to visit for the day rather than staying in.
This year, a double room in this four-star hotel costs between 47-78 Euros depending when you stay. A bargain! Don't know the fixture list, though.
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It certainly sounds good value, and Jerez is a place I'd like to visit. But a modern hotel on the outskirts - hmm, I might need more than the prospect of being on hand to see Jerez v CD Castellon to reconcile me to that! Duncan
jayne30165 25.03.2006 23:07
Sounds good - and Jerez is a cheapo flight destination so I shall put this one in my long list of places to go........
ben-lloyd 03.03.2006 10:21
Sounds really good. Pity I don't like sherry though :(
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