bigguyinpasadena

Deac83-while I was less than wowed by the treatment given to me as a Plat at this property(we were in 126 for five nights-a nice roomy suite above the service/garbage entrance so I know what you mean about the noise)I think comparring treatment of a chain you have no status with versus one you have top status with is not going to lead you to any conclusive results.

I just saw two reports on tripadvisor.com of folks upgraded to wonderful suites-at $600 a night!

I think getting upgrades using status at this property is going to be tough now that the renovations are nearly complete.

deac83

Of course that's why I disclosed my relative status so people can fairly judge my comments.

I will say that higher up is much more quite, in 425 the air cond didn't seem to work. Also they have a motion sensor system for 'night lights' which in 125 worked in 425 did not work at all. Even tried to figure out if there was a switch to turn them on.

On the plus side we had an issue with a 'running toilet' in 425 and at 8pm they had maintenance up there to fix it in less than 5 minutes.

As a side note it's interesting that the major chains don't try and figure out who the elites are in other chains since it's a rare chance to try and steal them away.

Never expected an upgrade but the majority of the 'reviews' in this thread gives no indication that some rooms are a lot better than others (outside the whole Las Ramblas issue).

One last point, I was SPG Plat at one point in time but I'm a nobody now. SPG has been very accommodating since I've been moving Diners Club points over to 'pay' for my rooms. In this case they took the reservation before the points were posted so that is a big positive. Also I love their policy on room availability (i.e if the hotel is not sold out your can book an award room).

wintermom

Just back from three nights at this hotel. I really liked the room, nicely
renovated and great bathroom with soaking tub - perfect after a long flight.

I am only gold and this was a points stay. I reserved a room to accomodate
three people (did it over the phone with SPG). Sure enough the room had
a futon type chair that made into a bed for our daughter. However the hotel
charged me 50 euros per night for the extra person. I don't really understand
that since clearly the room was designed for the exta person but I paid it.
We really liked the hotel, location is key but the hotel on its own was very
nice and modern. The bathroom for a European hotel was outstanding, lots
of water pressure. As someone else mentioned the little coffee service in the
room was a big hit. They were also very accomodating on a late check out.
Nice place.

Starwood Lurker II

Hi wintermom,

Thank you for your compliments.

When you proceed to make an award reservation over the phone, have you been informed that there will additional charges for extra rollaway(child in this case)?

Most of our properties in Europe require you to pay for the 3rd person in the room.

Thank you and have a great week ahead.

[email protected]

fabulousflygirl

Thanks for posting your trip report and pics. I found the information very helpful as I am booking a stay there in January '09.

wintermom

Thanks Lurker II

I always like to give an update on properties since I use this board for
information on where to stay. No, over the phone I was not told about
the extra charge for an extra person. When I made the reservation and
was quoted the points rate I stressed I needed a room for three. I was told
this room would accomodate three people (and indeed it did), there was
just no mention of the 50 euro per day charge. I thought it was a good
deal at the time of booking, still not a bad deal with the Euro rate what it
is but I was surprised about the extra charge.

In London last week at the Sheraton Belgravia I booked on points too and
it was an upgraded room for the extra person but no extra $$ besides the
points. In that room there was no extra bed but they had set up a roll a way.
There would have been no room for a roll a way in a standard size room.

CandymanJim

Just stayed here 3 nights ago. We had 2 rooms booked on points. Since we checked in early (9am) we did not expect to get our rooms, but they did have a club level room in the back availible (411) so we took it to put all our bags in it so we could go see the sites. We were told at the time they were completely sold out for the night and probably would not be able to accomodate any upgrades. Upon returning around 4pm I tried to check in for our second room. A nice smile and upgrade request got us room 806, a large two room suite overlooking Las Ramblas with a huge balcony with lounge chairs and a great view. Mind you, the lobby was completly full and I continually heard them turn down other requests for upgrades. I guess I got lucky.

Jim

SkyTeam777

Does anyone have an email address (that actually gets answered) for this property? Ive booked three rooms for a family vacation in two weeks and want to at least get one room upgraded if possible as a Plat. Have seen mixed reviews on here about the amenities, and from what Ive read...no breakfast even for club level, right?

mauld

There is no Club Level here, nor does any Platinum get a Free Breakfast (unless it is included in your rate). From various posts, it appears most Platinums have received some sort of upgrade to suites/views etc. As for amenities for a Platinum, what exactly are you lookiing for? I got a bottle of local wine as my Plat gift, and they do give you one of those cards listing the SPG points you can use for a variety of services/items. I think it depends upon how full the hotel is during your stay, and how long you plan to be at this property. I was there for only 1 night in Feb, and had a suite overlooking Las Ramblas on the 5th fl.

wintermom

Just wanted to say there is a great little cafe for breakfast just outside the
main doors of the hotel. You exit the hotel and turn right (away from
La Rambla ), take your first left accross the street down a small side street
and there are several small cafes with great coffees and pastries, very fare
prices.

CO FF

I had the '06 line, but on the 6th floor. I booked a jr. suite on points, and was told that this was an upgrade to an executive suite.

Floors 6-9 are suites only, according to the hotel's materials. It's 1 elevator to the floor (2 separate elevators serve 1-5), so the wait can be annoying. We had wine & chocolates waiting on arrival.

This was my least favorite of the 3 top *wood properties we booked for a trip to Spain (the others being the Alfonoso XIII in Sevilla and the (Westin) Palace in Madrid). In part, it's due to the location -- being on La Rambla is great if you like that sort of thing, but maybe I'm too curmudgeonly or boring to enjoy it. Also, re the noise that others noted -- the Carrefours grocery around the corner from the hotel gets its trash collected and its supplies restocked from about 11pm-1am each day...it ties up the street and the sidewalk. We didn't have noise issues on 6, though - good soundproofing. Also, the area west of La Rambla and south of the Universitat de Barcelona is just not a great neighborhood -- I'll leave it to others to provide details...

That said, lots of positives: very helpful and responsive staff; the desk manager escorted us to the suite and offered us the choice of that one (with "classic" furniture) or an equivalent room with modern furniture -- it was our mistake to stay with the classic. The sofa showed its age, and there was only 1 visitor's chair. But when we asked her how we could get a power adaptor, she said she'd arrange it; as soon as she stepped out of the room, I could hear her on a phone/walkietalkie ordering it, and someone was upstairs with it in 2 minutes flat.

The hotel restaurant, CentOnze (111 -- the address on La Rambla) was very nice too. The hotel felt like a "W", in that everything conveyed the message of being "too cool for school", but the food was great and the service responsive.

If I were paying, I'm not sure I'd go back -- there are other equal hotels in better locations in BCN. But even when the W Barcelona opens (its location will be harborside, which is worse in my view), I'd definitely go back here on points.

dinise

are there safes in the rooms?

imverge

I just got back from amazing stay at Le Meridien Barcelona. I was there for five days on points and received a beautiful suite as an upgrade. The suite was over-looking Las Ramblas. The location of the hotel is fantastic. Close to many attractions and popular sites.

The best thing about the hotel was the service I received. The Front Office Manager personally greeted me upon check-in and thanked me for my Starwood loyalty. She sent up champagne with a fruit plate as a welcome gift. Throughout my stay the entire staff was professional, friendly and genuine.

The airline lost my luggage the day I arrived and the front desk staff (Vivian)personally called the airline throughout the day to check on the status. Now that's what I call going beyond the call of duty!

Even with The W opening next year, I would stay here again in a heart beat.

chanp

thanks for the recent stay report. ill be there in 2 weeks for 3 nights. ill report late sept when i get back

ghw

how close is this hotel to the center of town/tourist attractions? Quality of the hotel? Best way to get there from airport? Best way to get from there to cruise port?

THANKS!