FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Alexandra Barcelona Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton {ESP}
Old Sep 27, 2014 | 8:21 pm
  #32  
nk15
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I was there in the summer and they only offered continental to Golds, but you could upgrade to full breakfast for 10 euro/person.

The location is unbeatable, right on the block between Las Ramblas and Passeig de Grącia, two of the most famous streets in Barca, and 2-3 blocks away from two "must-see" Gaudi properties, Casa Batllo and La Pedrera. The hotel is very good, on the smaller size, but good quality, and quiet.

One complaint about this property is that at check-out they offered me to pay in USD instead of Euro ("Is it ok to pay in USD?"), with a 2% currency conversion mark-up, which I didn't quite understand at the time (and I was also in a hurry to catch my flight). I asked, "is it more expensive to pay in USD"? No response from the receptionist, which in retrospect I thought it was evasive, but in my anxiety to get going I made the rookie mistake and paid in USD (and overpaid). (The 2% mark up info was actually on the screen but I missed it, and the receptionist did not answer my question or explained it).

But I guess this is a pretty standard practice internationally, everyone is trying to make an extra buck from the conversion rates, so you should always insist on paying your bill in local currency (but also make sure you understand what you pay in USD; just use a currency conversion app on your phone right on the spot).

Last edited by nk15; Sep 27, 2014 at 8:30 pm
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