X3Skier

The two times we stayed there we really enjoyed it, especially drinks in the Main room with the Stained Glass ceiling. Upgraded both times as a SPG Gold.

One benefit that came in handy I did not expect. We were there when one of the frequent demonstrations was taking place, this one about Catalonian Freedom, and the street was blocked off. As we did not wish to be dragooned into the protest or hauled off to the police station, I showed my room card to a police officer manning the barricades. We received a police escort to the hotel.^

Cheers

DJMeatBall

I have a reservation set for about 3 weeks from now (in conjunction with the SVQ Boo Doo, which I'll attend a few days later). Any helpful hints for a SPG Gold staying here for the first time? It sounds like the service & amenities are amazing. I'm looking forward to seeing what the buzz is all about.

1) my rate is right around ~250€, which I managed to score with a SPG50... should I check a couple days prior to arrival to see if a lower rate has appeared on the website?
2) S-Lurker mentioned (back on June 24th) that there may be free movies on demand and/or complimentary internet (gotta get my FT fix, as well as keeping in touch with the bosses back home) on the executive level. But nowhere else on the thread are these amenities mentioned. So would this be a proven possibility or something I need to discreetly ask for at the front desk? I definitely don't want to pay **~$30 per day** for access if I can help it.

thanks!

drron

Well William can relax.Now staying at the Palace.Had read all the reports and so booked an executive room which comes with free breakfast,internet and movies.At checkin the agents brow furrowed and then said the hotel is very full especially the Exec.floor.I didnt say a word.3-4 minutes later he said he had found a nice renovated corner room on the first floor but that I would keep allthe exec floor benefits.
A bit doubtful we went to the first floor.Our room had double doors-good sign.As we opened the door mrsdrrons jaw dropped.Yes the marble entry foyer with a toilet and basin in a small room off to the left.straight ahead a dining/entertainment room.Off that a sitting room then a large bedroom.also off the sitting room a dressing room then a large marble bathroom and a separate room with shower and toilet.
Was offered the plat amenity at checkin.Took the points.Still got a large fruit basket and bottled water.Fortunately we do get free internet and breakfast as internet-E18.75 a day or internet and movies-E37.90 per day.
Ate dinner at restaurant first night.Food good but naturally expensive.Breakfast is great with even a cava-spanish sparkling white(champagne).
Truly impressed with this place and certainly a palace to us.

psychtobe

spg.com shows a rate of 265 euro = $340 USD, 16,000 *points, or 4800 *points+$90 USD per room per night. Seems like the cash+points is quite a steal, do you agree?

biggestbopper

I certainly agree with the cash points rate being a good deal. So much so that I spent ten nights at that rate at the Palace this Summer.

It was an even better deal when the Euro was at $1.60 since it allowed locking in the rate in devalued dollars. I loved the espresso machine in the upstair lobby.

If only they had a swimming pool ...

By the way, if you get the chance, the Terra Mundo, a couple of blocks away, has a really wonderful lunch for 10 Euros including wine. An organic oriented Galacian restaurant.

psychtobe

thank you for the feedback ^

cohighcountry1k

Stayed here this past weekend on a pay for 2 nights get the 3rd night free. My experiences:
- Upgraded to a Junior Suite on the 2nd floor automatically. I did not have to ask.
- Room was very comfortable with a nice bathroom and living room (although the shower had an angled wall that made the space seem small)
- SPG complimentary bottled water left in the room each day
- Concierge very helpful making dinner reservations and suggestions for sightseeing
- Very good location, with easy walking distance to major sites
- Starbucks in the hotel building, but you must go outside and walk around to the very front to access it
- Decent (if expensive) chineese food restaurant in the hotel (while I love Spanish food, I was craving some stir fried veggies!)

Overall, a nice stay and I would stay here again.

Lofwyr

Do Plats receive free breakfast at this hotel? I'm staying from December 31 to January 3.

stimpy

Nope. Not unless you have a good corporate deal with this hotel. But there are plenty of nice little cafes nearby where you can get a cheap simple breakfast.

OPebble

However breakfast is in the room rate for quite a lot of rooms these days. Or at least has been for the last couple of months.

drron

Breakfast and free movies/internet are in the exec floor rate.However these are usually(from reports here) not given if upgraded to that floor-I was lucky even though got a further upgrade.
Now that i have mastered the art of posting pictures here are a few-
The sitting room-


The bedroom-


The view from the bedroom-


The view from the sitting room-

cuddihy61

I love this hotel. This hotel has treated me better than any hotel I have ever stayed. Almost each visit I have been given an executive suite with a large lviing room, and two full bathrooms. A few times I took a junior suite, (which is also very nice). I might add that I asked for the junior suite because on these occassions I wanted a view of the Paseo Castellano.

Each time I have received complimentary fruit, water, and a bottle of wine or sherry. I too also suggest paying extra for the breakfast in your room rate. If you are traveling on a corporate account the breakfast is usually included, but it is worth the extra $10-$15 to pay for the breakfast rate.

Lofwyr

One of my nights is an award stay and the other two are at a cheapo corp rate of 189 euro a night so I'm guessing no breakfast. No biggie - we'll just head out and get something in the mornings.

ddavault

There are plenty of breakfast options near by, Vips, a chain, is just downstairs and out the door. The hotel breakfast is very nice, but very expensive.

stc

Also, it is worth pointing out that Vips has English menus available (or at least another one in the chain does for lunch ...)