Spain help
Sep 14, 2018, 8:44 am
#1
Original Poster
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Spain help
My teenage daughter is going to be an exchange student in Alicante on the Costa Blanca next summer. The rest of the family is planning on meeting her over there on the tail end and spending a week or 2 in Spain. I am sad to report that I haven't been to Spain in many years. It seems like Spain doesn't get a lot of love on this forum, but I was hoping to get a little assistance here.
1) What are the top hotels in Barcelona?
2) What are the top hotels in Madrid?
3) Are there any top notch coastal resorts?
Thanks so much folks.
1) What are the top hotels in Barcelona?
2) What are the top hotels in Madrid?
3) Are there any top notch coastal resorts?
Thanks so much folks.
Sep 14, 2018, 10:33 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: Germany
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You find a lot vos the search...
Madrid is difficult, as the former best option MO Ritz seems totally worn down. Stayed years ago at IC, also nothing to return.
Barcelona Mandarin Oriental, even if I'm not a big fan.
Coast: Hope Finca Cortesin, will see in 2 days.
Madrid is difficult, as the former best option MO Ritz seems totally worn down. Stayed years ago at IC, also nothing to return.
Barcelona Mandarin Oriental, even if I'm not a big fan.
Coast: Hope Finca Cortesin, will see in 2 days.
Sep 14, 2018, 2:00 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,151
I recently grappled with a couple of these choices as well.
For Madrid, I didn't like the location of Villa Magna (we're not interested in shopping, far more interested in sightseeing) so went with an Exec Suite at the Westin.
For Barcelona, I wanted to be in/near the Gothic Quarter, narrowed our options down to Hotel Neri, Hotel Mercer and The Serras, and went with The Serras.
After December, I'll be able to report back.
For Madrid, I didn't like the location of Villa Magna (we're not interested in shopping, far more interested in sightseeing) so went with an Exec Suite at the Westin.
For Barcelona, I wanted to be in/near the Gothic Quarter, narrowed our options down to Hotel Neri, Hotel Mercer and The Serras, and went with The Serras.
After December, I'll be able to report back.
Sep 14, 2018, 3:31 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2003
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For Barcelona, take a look at the new Almanac Barcelona. Good location near the Majestic and MO, contemporary design. Book with Travel Leaders Select amenities:
- Complimentary Breakfast
- Free WiFi
- 30 minute massage for two
- upgrade if available
- early check-in, late check-out if available
Sep 14, 2018, 5:30 pm
#5
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,854
There are plenty of threads on both Barcelona and Madrid on this forum. To find then, use the search function on the right side, go to advanced search and do two "title only" searhes; one on Bardelona and another on Madrid. Then you can pick the thread most relevant to you.
I suggest this thread going forward be limited to coastal resorts, not including any in Barcelona.
Thanks,
RichardInSF, moderator, luxury hotels and rravel
I suggest this thread going forward be limited to coastal resorts, not including any in Barcelona.
Thanks,
RichardInSF, moderator, luxury hotels and rravel
Sep 15, 2018, 7:23 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,265
I have already booked a bunch of domestic flights on IB for next April (Easter holiday). Lets say that the IB 90k Avios was a good incentive to use this as a grand tour of Spain 
We have multiple cities included but did not get around booking our hotels yet. I will make sure to update in this thread.
I would think that you could also keep in mind that Spain in general is very well connected (trains and short flights).
We have multiple cities included but did not get around booking our hotels yet. I will make sure to update in this thread.
I would think that you could also keep in mind that Spain in general is very well connected (trains and short flights).
Sep 17, 2018, 2:55 pm
#9
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Sep 17, 2018, 7:12 pm
#11
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In Madrid, the Westin Palace is excellent and has a great location across from the Prado museum. But do go to the Ritz, almost across the street, for a drink in their outdoor area.
Sep 20, 2018, 4:05 pm
#12
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Checked out at Finca Cortesin today. Still not enthusiastic but overall it was a good stay. I liked the suite and the resort itself. Very nice place. What I disliked was thhe balcony which lacked privacy, the closure of the beach club every tuesday and the breakfast. Also don't really know why I paid for the sea view. If you come for a beach go elsewhere, it's useless (unless you like jellyfish marks). Beach club itself is nice. Service was with minor points very good, while restaurants were mediocre (OK, Kubiki Raw was good) but quite expensive.
I will report more details in a few days.
I will report more details in a few days.
Sep 21, 2018, 8:23 am
#13
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Checked out at Finca Cortesin today. Still not enthusiastic but overall it was a good stay. I liked the suite and the resort itself. Very nice place. What I disliked was thhe balcony which lacked privacy, the closure of the beach club every tuesday and the breakfast. Also don't really know why I paid for the sea view. If you come for a beach go elsewhere, it's useless (unless you like jellyfish marks). Beach club itself is nice. Service was with minor points very good, while restaurants were mediocre (OK, Kubiki Raw was good) but quite expensive.
I will report more details in a few days.
I will report more details in a few days.
Sep 21, 2018, 12:44 pm
#14
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Thanks for the review. That is certainly not a ringing endorsement especially of the beach itself. I have looked a little at Belmond la Residencia on Mallorca as well but it appears to be sold out on a lot of dates next summer and the rates appear to be astronomical anyway.