Crowne Plaza Barcelona Fira Center Master Thread
Dec 7, 2015, 1:33 pm
#61
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 25
Bad areas around CP?
We are booked here for 2 nights before our cruise. I am very excited. Someone on cruise critic mentioned that the Poble Sec area is still rough. The poster said it is much better now but that there can be sketchy areas late at night...
"While the hotels in the zone are very nice, you need to be aware that many of these hotels are just one block off a main avenue. Certain criminal elements sometimes take advantage of the opportunity that these type of hotels present. You just need to be very aware the last block toward the hotel or take a taxi if returning to the hotel late at night. "
Any thoughts on any areas to stay out of?
Dec 8, 2015, 3:57 am
#62
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,053
We are booked here for 2 nights before our cruise. I am very excited. Someone on cruise critic mentioned that the Poble Sec area is still rough. The poster said it is much better now but that there can be sketchy areas late at night...
"While the hotels in the zone are very nice, you need to be aware that many of these hotels are just one block off a main avenue. Certain criminal elements sometimes take advantage of the opportunity that these type of hotels present. You just need to be very aware the last block toward the hotel or take a taxi if returning to the hotel late at night. "
Any thoughts on any areas to stay out of?Some people might feel a bit more intimidated by the parts of Poble Sec much closer to the waterfront, around the Bagdad sex club / Paral-lel metro station. This is a good 20-minute walk from the hotel.
Barcelona is a big city. Simple common sense rules apply. If you don't like the looks of anywhere, don't walk through there. Watch your belongings. Take a taxi to the hotel front door. In fact, given that the location of this hotel is not really walking distance to many areas, most people probably will be taking the metro to Plaza Espanya / Poble Sec or a taxi to the hotel anyhow.
In Barcelona you need to be aware - the pick-pocketing capital of Europe - but otherwise it's a very safe and well-policed city - no reason to be concerned.
Dec 29, 2015, 1:25 am
#63
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: USA
Programs: IHG/Spire Amb., Hilton/Diamond, SPG/Gold, Marriott/Gold, AA/Plat, Southwest/CP
Posts: 270
Recent data point on club access
Staying in CP Barcelona FC through NYE and received a pretty nice upgrade to a junior suite. Access costs for Club Lounge are still 20 Euro per person as Spire Elite, same as has been reported for Platinum. I asked about the cost for non-members and she said 25. Considering adding it later, maybe for the back half of our stay once we have explored a bit.
Last edited by LaphroaigAndRibeye; Dec 29, 2015 at 2:21 am
Dec 29, 2015, 5:31 am
#64
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Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: PARIS (France)
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Staying in CP Barcelona FC through NYE and received a pretty nice upgrade to a junior suite. Access costs for Club Lounge are still 20 Euro per person as Spire Elite, same as has been reported for Platinum. I asked about the cost for non-members and she said 25. Considering adding it later, maybe for the back half of our stay once we have explored a bit.
Dec 29, 2015, 9:19 am
#65
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: USA
Programs: IHG/Spire Amb., Hilton/Diamond, SPG/Gold, Marriott/Gold, AA/Plat, Southwest/CP
Posts: 270
Weird... Just as Spire, or SA? They were adamant about the fee despite recognizing the status and providing the sick upgrade. When were your stays? Maybe it has to do with us being here over the new year...though it does sound like the norm for many people.
EDIT: Looking from non-mobile now, looks like you're Spire RA... maybe they look at that differently for club purposes. But I do wonder with the crowd in there tonight how many actually are paying for it.
EDIT: Looking from non-mobile now, looks like you're Spire RA... maybe they look at that differently for club purposes. But I do wonder with the crowd in there tonight how many actually are paying for it.
Last edited by LaphroaigAndRibeye; Dec 29, 2015 at 1:14 pm
Nov 8, 2016, 5:05 am
#66
Join Date: May 2015
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Korean Air Morning Calm Premium Club
Posts: 69
I am planning a last minute holiday in BCN during xmas.
Anybody stayed here recently? Did anybody without RA status received lounge access here? Plan to book King room with sofa bed.
Anybody stayed here recently? Did anybody without RA status received lounge access here? Plan to book King room with sofa bed.
Nov 8, 2016, 7:19 am
#67
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ZRH
Programs: LH SEN, BA Gold, Bonvoy Plat, IHG Spire RA
Posts: 580
even with RA status I've never received lounge access. However in Barcelona they are plenty of good restaurants, which provide definitely a better local experience
Apr 3, 2018, 2:50 pm
#68
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: DFW
Programs: OWE AA EXP;*A TK Gold; Marriott LTT; Hyatt Globalist; IHG Plat; National VIP
Posts: 3,097
As a lowly Platinum, what can one expect in terms of lounge, breakfast, upgrade?
Apr 4, 2018, 6:17 am
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,053
That said, my OH does claim that she received a suite upgrade (no lounge or BF though) as a Gold a couple of years ago, so YMMV.
Apr 4, 2018, 9:48 am
#70
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MRY/SFO
Programs: UA Platinum; IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 458
As a Platinum, I think it's perfectly reasonable to expect an upgrade at a Crowne Plaza. It may not be a suite, but an upgrade nevertheless. Have a great time & report back.
Apr 4, 2018, 12:46 pm
#71
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: DFW
Programs: OWE AA EXP;*A TK Gold; Marriott LTT; Hyatt Globalist; IHG Plat; National VIP
Posts: 3,097
Apr 5, 2018, 6:51 am
#72
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
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Definitely NOT my experience at this hotel and some other CPs I've been to... But I'm sure somebody will claim that a higher floor or similarly pointless difference constitutes an "upgrade".
Apr 5, 2018, 9:10 am
#73
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MRY/SFO
Programs: UA Platinum; IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 458
That's fair to speak of your own experience at this specific hotel. I have not stayed at this particular Crowne Plaza, but I'm going by my experience at various European CP's (Milan, Lyon, Paris Republique, Brussels). I've never not received an upgrade, some better than others (a suite @ Republique) and once did receive free club access @ Lyon. I actually do have a stay booked at this hotel in early August, my first stay here (I've only stayed at the Indigo in Barcelona before, and yes, I also received a room upgrade), so I'll experience for myself.
May 30, 2018, 10:15 am
#74
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: World
Posts: 1,647
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Last edited by mster; Apr 25, 2019 at 8:41 am
Jun 15, 2018, 11:55 am
#75
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 19
Stayed in September on points, Wisked up to the lounge for check in. very large room not sure if it was a club room but given lounge access, breakfast, canapes and drinks available all day long