Catalonia Barcelona Plaza Hotel, Barcelona

Hi, I hope this review is of help to you in your choice of hotel. I have worked in the travel Industry for over 20 years now, so would say I can be quite critical.

Ok, well I guess the best place to start is the location ...........

************LOCATION***********
This hotel is based in the Sants neighborhood of Barcelona. This area marks the city's southern boundary and has excellent public transport to the ...
...from Barcelona. What I really noticed was the narrow streets and the small houses. In this area is the Sants Station, which is in front of the Plaça dels Països Catalans. Also close to the Plaça de Sants is the Les Cotxeres, which is an old tramway deposit that has been converted into an exhibition centre or dance hall, depending on the occasion. The nearest Train Station is the Espanya.

************HOW TO GET THERE************
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Hi, I hope this review is of help to you in your choice of hotel. I have worked in the travel Industry for over 20 years now, so would say I can be quite critical.

Ok, well I guess the best place to start is the location ...........

************LOCATION***********
This hotel is based in the Sants neighborhood of Barcelona. This area marks the city's southern boundary and has excellent public transport to the centre. Centuries ago this quarter was a village separate from Barcelona. What I really noticed was the narrow streets and the small houses. In this area is the Sants Station, which is in front of the Plaça dels Països Catalans. Also close to the Plaça de Sants is the Les Cotxeres, which is an old tramway deposit that has been converted into an exhibition centre or dance hall, depending on the occasion. The nearest Train Station is the Espanya.

************HOW TO GET THERE************
I thought I'd add this in as I know this is the question everyone needs answered, yet nobody seems to be able to give a definitive response. So here goes .........
METRO STATION - The closest Metro station is the Espanya which is literally a stones throw away. I didn,t come in from the airport this way but it is so handy for exploring Barcelona.
AIRPORT - The Airport is only 12 Km from the hotel and I suggest you take a taxi to/from it. It is only about 20 euros each way and it really takes the hassle out.
CITY CENTRE - The city centre is about 2 Km away and a taxi will only cost you about 8 euros each way.

***********THE HOTEL************
I really did like this hotel. It gave me a feeling of light and spaciousness. When I first looked at it from the outside it sort of resembled an old castle with its grand clock-face set in the middle of the tower. (Behind it there's a luxurious suite !!!).
Enough about the outside, it's the inside that I loved. It is simply pure luxury. The staircases are fabulous and made of marble, the wood used internally is excellent quality hardwood and even the ceilings are fabric-covered.
This hotel was built in 1992 to increase the amount of accommodation available for the Olympic Games. But it's popularity has never lowered. (TIP - Make sure you make your reservation well in advance. It's pretty unlikely you'll get this in a late deal).
There are 347 rooms in this hotel and it has 10 function rooms (1 of these can actually cater for up to 900 people !!!).
Also for those of you who haven't used up every last bit of energy on touring the city and shops, there is a fully-equipped gym and a beauty salon offering massage services. (I must say I didn't use these but got speaking to a couple who raved about the massages).

***********ROOMS************
Of the 347 rooms, 9 are suites that are out of this world. In particular, it has the suite known as El Reloj. This is a luxurious two-storey room with amazing views over the architectural complex of Plaza España and Montjuïc (sorry to say I didn't stay in it !!!).
However I cann't complain about my room. It had air-conditioning, a direct phone line, a beautiful marble bathroom with a hairdryer, a satellite TV (you can get pay-per-view films), a mini-bar (TIP - bring your own drinks into the hotel as the mini-bar costs a fortune), a safe and even Wi-Fi Internet access if I needed it !!!!

************RESTAURANT*************
We had our superb buffet breakfast in the Gourmet Plaza restaurant. The choices where excellent - fresh fruit, cakes and buns, cold meats or your good old hot breakfast. They even catered for people with special dietary requests. You can have breakfast from 07:00-10:30.
There are several other restaurants in the hotel .............
The Restaurante Gourmet Plaza which is Mediterranean cuisine and is open between 13:30 – 15:30 and 20:30 – 22:30.
The Cafetería La Oca which is open between 12:00 – 23:30
The Piano Bar which is so relaxing is open between 20:00 - 02:30

**********FACILITIES**********
Ok so I thought I would say about some of facilities I checked out while I was there................
Firstly I have just got to tell you you about the pool. It is outdoor with a solarium and a large terrace overlooking the Plaza España and the Montjuïc but in the winter it is covered and heated. Absolutely perfect.
There is the normal laundry and dry cleaning service that you would expect in a hotel of this calibre. There are parking facilities at the hotel if you feel the need to hire a car and explore. I didn't (have a hard enough problem driving over here !!!) but I know that you can get special rates on car hire through the hotel. Last but not least is the gym as I've said.

************COST***********
The normal rate for a twin/double room in this hotel is around £95 per room per night, (TIP - try hotelconnect.com they are alot cheaper, shush don't tell anyone )

Well thats about it for this hotel. All thats left to say about it is - "a class of it's own"

I thought I'd give you some suggestions on sights and attractions in Barcelona. An absolute must is a walk along Las Ramblas de les Flors with its incredible mix of cultures, sounds and fragrances. Also take a walk around the Gothic Quarter and down Paseo de Gracia. Also I would recommend you see the Sagrada Familia cathedral and Güell Park. I really enjoyed this hotel and all that Barcelona had to offer. I hope you do too.

Thanks for taking the time to read my review and I really hope you enjoyed it. I would appreciate your rating and any comments you have. Thanks again. 

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