Originally Posted by itsaboutthejourney

I've only stayed at the Renaissance twice, but was dissapointed with the breakfast - seemed like cruise ship type guests swarming the buffet like it was going out of business. It was very typical of what you'd have in a suburban Renaissance (plus cold cuts and cheese), no great effort on presentation or unique dishes. Like most Marriotts, there was no significant room upgrade due to status. Decor was bland, standing out in a design-centric city like Barcelona.

It was my understanding that the Renaissance brand was supposed to be Marriott's attempt to cater to people who are interested in a bit more upscale experience from a regular Marriott as well as artsy design, so I thought this Barcelona property was tacky in a failed attempt at that. A lot of beige and typical 'swirl' carpet patterns found at most Marriotts! The outside of the building looks like an office complex that could be in Peoria, IL.

At the LeM, they have a full line of Illy coffee beverages, cava, several Asian dishes and my favorite; churros with hot chocolate!

LeM can vary significantly in terms of room types/upgrades (I've had 20+ stays there), but overall it's a great location, with excellent design (the carpet is a design inspired from the tiles found around Barcelona's sidewalks), a custom scent from Le Labo and curated music in the public areas.

As always, YMMV. I realize not everyone places an importance on aesthetics and food & beverage.