lincasanova

fabulous. Pool? Better ask the size. I think there is a spa, but pool for laps?? Not sure abut that one. maybe they put in a pool since I visited.

Love this hotel. it is in a historic building and they did a beautiful job remodeling it. One of the top restaurants, oscar torrijos, used to have his restaurant there. not sure if he is still there though.

It is a pleasant walk to many areas of the city.. more like 20 minutes strolling to the cathedral.. but it will seem like 10-15 because you will be walking past many intersting buildings, taking a different route every time, if you please.

You just CROSS a bridge and you are on calle colon. Buses nearby for further spots. The wonderful bike-able riverbed at your doorstep. Wonderful hotel. valencia is very small. Will be calm and quiet. Lovely courtyard. True luxury. Those rooms are very much better than all the others you have mentioned, next down would be the Ayre.

Do not miss the art deco mercado de colon which is no longer a market, except for the gourmet delicatessens in the lowest level, but rather a nice place ot have a beer or coffee. admire the tiles.

also, el alto de colon is there on second tier overlooking the market space below.

the westin would be my top choice in valencia anyway.

see if you can find some expedia or hotels.com promo coupons online to bring the price down 10-15%. ( I just did on my London booking at hotels.com. )

I posted the coupons on here somewhere. look at my topics.

You might check www.trivago.es to see if there are other local websites offering the westin cheaper.

or rumbo.es, or utell.com, gtahotels.com is now dhr.com.. I always check all those.

Good luck. I think you will be happy there.

lincasanova

Just checked out their website. They said when I called they have always had a pool. I guess I wasn't show the pool or i am thinking now that since it was the night of the grand opening, it probably wasn't finished, because I KNOW I never saw it.

ekscrunchy

You are an incredible help! I did find better prices on Rumbo, with breakfast, and have not yet checked the others. It does make me a tad nervous to use those third-party agencies that require you to pay in full in advance, though...


The hotel pool appears to be run by an outside concern, but my e-mails to them were bounced back. I did write for details to the hotel but have not heard back yet. But from what you say, the location is good and the hotels is steps above the others I mention, so..

If the Mercado Colon (one of the first places I intend to visit!) is now more a place to eat, what would be the best regular food markets?

I think that I should start a new thread about Valencia--will do that perhaps tomorrow...

lincasanova

Mercado colon is not for eating. it is for coffee-ing. nearby, though, is a very well known delicatessen bar/café, plus there are a lot of NICE places within a 15 minute walk.

The price may not change much on that third party website.. maybe you can wait to book.. or get trip insurance.

I, personally have not had that much luck with Rumbo being the cheapest, so unless you have tried them all.. keep looking.

ekscrunchy

Lincasanova: I am sorry to bother you about these details, but do you happen to have the name of a person at the Westin hotel that I can communicate with? The e-mail to their health club was bounced back and yesterday I sent two e-mails to reservations and have received no response, either on my inbox or the spam folder. I will try writing to them again, perhaps to the main Westin office..

IS there a large, covered food market (where regular people do their food shopping,) somewhere nearby the hotel or near the center city? (I am interested in shopping for foods to bring home, and for just looking around!

lincasanova

Of course, the central market. (Mercado central de valencia) ALso has an amazing gourmet section. Not far from cathedral area.. and a fun cooking school!

Take a look at www.foodandfun.es because I know you are a foodie, and if one of the Michelin star chefs is in town when you are.. would be a great evening out. They will give you an interpreter if you call ahead of time requesting one.

Raul from Ca'Sento is one of them.

Fun Thai/Asian cuisine is Bonnie from Team Appetite (no M.*..just good food)



The person I used to know at the Westin has moved on, but I just spoke to them and they say to send an email to

[email protected] and they will direct the email to the correct department.

Good luck

ekscrunchy

You are fantastic!!! I received a response from them; it turns out that although they mention on their website that their pool is 20 meters long, it is actually 12 meters long (!!!). The person who responded to my e-mail told me that I would be better off swimming in a public pool near the hotel since the hotel pool is mostly used for "relax!"







I did find a list of those public pools, but cannot figure out which is them, if any, is near the hotel; do you happen to know any of these?

http://valencia.angloinfo.com/af/544...ing-pools.html

I seem to have gone off on a tangent about the swimming...once I have the pool info, I will put the matter to my friend and let her weigh in...but I think the Westin does sound much nicer than any of the other places. The room does not come with breakfast but I am sure we can find a cafe nearby, right??

Again, a million thanks for your help....

ekscrunchy

....I think I figured it out: this pool looks nice and appears to be close to the hotel:


http://www.deportevalencia.com/insta...alle.php?id=13

lincasanova

yes, that one is next door to the hotel. or actually a half block in front of it.

Yes, there are cafés nearby. You'd have to swim three times longer after a Westin breakfast anyway!

opaldog

Here is a link to a small article in the NYT about Valencia http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/01/23...tml?ref=travel

lincasanova

raul, from ca'sento 's ( Michelin * chef) cooking class at foodandfun has been changed to the 7th of february if you are here. I m not missing that one. If you are here, drop me a line at my screen name at yahoodotcom.

ekscrunchy

Lincasanova: Again, a million thanks! I have not been feeling well so the planning has stalled a bit. Still working out the last details on the Barcelona rental flat.

Our dates are from either 23 or 24th Feb. until Sunday the 27th. On that day, we plan to take the train to Barcelona. (I cannot even think of the RENFE site right now, but will look at the booking link you provided on another thread).

Valencia hotel is still up in question. I am leaning toward the Westin for its great pay-in-advance rate, but I would probably have to share a room with my friend if we stay there.

Some hotels were booked on the SAturday night; among them, the Acta de Carmen.


Vinci Lys gets good reports; do you have any ideas on that hotel?


More soon.....

lincasanova

Vincci Lys is a nice place, also. Everyone I know who has stayed there has been happy.almost smack in the middle of town. Westin is at least 30% more posh.

I see on trivago.com the Ayre for 62E single room. And the very nicely situated ( near the Ayre) SH Inglés across form the ceramic carved facade fro 68. These are really good prices.. and very nice places perfectly situated. Sh Ingles' rooms may be smaller. But for this price, I think you can't go wrong with either. I keep coming back to the ayre.. their prices are so good, I hope I am not even confusing you more.

then u have vincci lys, melia plaza and vincci palace for more (80 some euros/night.) All very well located. good luck and get well!

ekscrunchy

I thought I should come back and thank everyone for their extremely helpful advice on the apartment/hotel front. We ended up having a difficult time trying to decide between the two Barcelona apartments.

Both the owner of the Born apartment and the owners of the Destination BCN flats (links above) have been delightful to deal with so far.

In the end, we went with the GHOST apartment offered by Destination BCN, which is just to the west of Placa Catalunya and to the east of Placa Universitat on Ronda Universitat; it is not available on our final night so we will switch to another apt in the same building for the one night.

Lincasanova: I will book the hotel in Valencia this week, finally!

virginiafish

This thread is extremely helpful! We want to go mid-May, if there are any other thoughts. Need apartment for 2+1 adults. Thanks all

ekscrunchy

Virginia: I will let you know how our place works out. There seem to be SO many apts available, it is q question of poring through all of the online sites...

virginiafish

Thanks!