Luxury Hotel Report 4
 

Barcelona: Hotel Ritz. A very good value for a nice hotel. Again, friendly staff, we had a room upgrade from AX again, but it was a Jr. suite with 2 baths and although nice, you couldn't lay in bed and watch TV. They gave us champaign and chocolates on arrival, and were friendly and helpful. The hotel was a typical large hotel. When we returned from Majorca we stayed in a Superior room that I liked much better with a fireplace, roman bath and a city view. The hotel was very well situated and very nice. They had one of the very best breakfasts of the trip. They also gave us afternoon tea as part of our AX package and when we came back for one night before we left for home, they gave us another bottle of champaign and chocolates again. I would stay here again too!<BR><BR><BR>Majorca: La Residencia. A beautiful property in Deia. We enjoyed relaxing here before heading home from our trip. The food was very good, the grounds beautiful, fabulous views, very nice staff, but customer service wasn't up to par. I had booked one of three suites that has a private pool. Except it wasn't private. About 10 rooms look out over this private pool and it was like being in a fish bowl. The pool was supposed to be heated, but wasn't warm enough to swim in until the 3rd day (I asked the pool man to turn up the heat the 2nd morning and I am sure the heat wasn't even on until then) I called the desk a few hrs. after arrival and told them I wanted to change rooms the next day because the pool was not private. At a window right above our pool and patio, a woman sat in her window looking down at us! I was told they had a room with a private terrace, but I would still have to pay the premium for the suite because I had guaranteed it. So I could move to a room that was $300 night less with no pool, but I would still have to pay the extra $300. So I stayed where I was, but it left me feeling like I had been taken. After staying at many luxury hotels on the trip, this one was the only one where I felt "ripped off."<BR><BR>I also detailed some of my trip on a report titled "Trip Report from Positano" and "More Trip Report from Positano" Some of the above information may be repeated.<BR><BR>What I forgot to take: My grease pencils for my maps and a hat<BR><BR>What I used a lot: My "dirty" denim jacket and my pashimina<BR><BR>Europeans are wearing designer jeans and jackets everywhere. Lots of those shoes that look like bowling shoes.<BR><BR>We also had a very nice day with Debbie. She was recommended on this forum and can be contacted at [email protected]. She is an American living in Barcelona and gave us a very enjoyable tour. I highly recommend her.<BR><BR>I won't be taking any trips for a while, so I look forward to reading your trip reports! Take care, Kay<BR>

Thanks for the report Kay... while you were in Barcelona, did you happen to see the new Marina Hotel? If so, what can you tell me about it. We're booked in Le Meridien Hotel on Las Ramblas in August but are thinking of switching to the new Marina Hotel. Any info you can provide on either of these hotels would be greatly appreciated.

I didn't go inside Le Meridien, but it looked to be very nice from the outside. Debbie, our guide, said it was her first choice. It was ideally located. We did not see the new Merina Hotel. I definitely would want to be near the Las Ramblas area. I chose the Ritz even though the Meridien gets better reviews because on the web the rooms seemed nicer at the Ritz. I think it all depends on the room you get. I should have requested a different room the first time we stayed. I ran into some folks that were offered a Jr. Suite upgrade like us and they refused it and got the Superior room that we liked so much when we returned. Although our first room was fine, it wasn't as nice as the other one. I think you will be fine, the Meridien gets great reviews and is in a great location. Just don't accept the room unless you like it. I would suggest you post a question specifically about the Marina Hotel and see if anyone know anything about it, or you could email debbie. She can tell you if she has seen it. We were delighted with Barcelona and really enjoyed it except for the late night, long meals. I am just not used to that. We didn't encounter any problems and did not wear our money belts. I just took one credit card and some cash out of the safe each day when I hit the streets. We ate at a place twice that we really liked called 4Gats. Try their onion soup! Have a great trip! Kay

Oh please keep your trip report together in one thread. Also please break it up into short paragraphs so it will be easier to read. <BR><BR><BR>

Someone has kindly consolidated this report for me under European Luxury Hotel Report. Please post your reply there. Thank you.