This was a Mediterranean cruise that departed from Barcelona, one of
the major ports in Europe. A beautiful city with stunning architecture, Antoni
Gaudi’s work alone is worth a visit. I stayed two nights before the cruise, and
two nights after. I picked two different hotels, both were centrally located.
The first hotel in Barcelona, and one I would highly
recommend was Hotel Casa Fuster; an intimate hotel with fewer than a hundred
rooms, built in the Art Nouveau style of architecture, located in the center of
town on 132 Passeig De Gracia.
Service was incomparable, room was beautiful, the roof top
had spectacular views of the city, and a sumptuous breakfast that included eggs
any style, Spanish ham and cheeses, excellent bread and a selection of coffees,
made the stay perfect. I’m a breakfast person. They even had an industrial strength
Nespresso machine. I started with a pot of coffee and hot steaming milk, and
finished with the self serve Nespresso coffee.
The one thing that made the stay exceptional was the
service. I stopped and asked about a visit to La Sagrada Familia, and was
informed it is better to book a tour, otherwise the wait would be rather long.
They called and reserved the tickets, and all I had to do was walk to the Julia
travel agency near the church; about a twenty minute walk from the hotel. The
agency was well known and had many offices in the city. It worked out perfectly
well, and the guide was informative, and we had plenty of time to stay on our
own after the tour ended. The hotel staff was right about the long wait.
The second hotel, the Majestic, also on 68 Passeig De
Gracia, was contemporary, all marble and glass. As I got out of the taxi, I was
asked by the porter in a top hat, if I had reservations. I didn’t want to be
rude, so replied that yes, indeed I had reservations; however, an entirely
different response came to mind. Not a good introduction to hotel, and it didn’t
improve.
I requested an early arrival, and the hotel agreed, at least
according to the travel agent. I checked in and was told that checkout was at
noon, and I was early. They gave me a slip for the luggage, and told me that
check in was at three.
I then asked about a tour to Montserrat, and the clerk at
the registration desk showed me a private five hour car tour, to the tune of
$600 hundred dollars. I said, I didn’t think so. I asked about a regular tour, she
then tells me they are available, but we have to prepay with cash, or at least
make a cash deposit, this way if we don’t show up, they keep the deposit. No other effort was made-she lost interest
when I declined the private car.
At this point I asked where was the nearest Julia office,
and was told it’s a five minute cab ride. I asked her to show me on the map,
and it turned out to be a ten minute walk from the hotel. I got my ticket, and
off I went to Montserrat.
You could rent a car, and go on your own, but it was Sunday,
besides the narrow road up the mountain was better left to the professionals. I’m
really a quirky driver, and unless I’m in my own neck of the woods, as is my neighborhood,
I leave the driving to others.
The breakfast was delicious, they had the obligatory omelet
station, but the rest of the buffet was tapas style, and the Spanish ham, and
various sausages, and cheeses were delicious. Coffee was excellent. The Majestic also had a spectacular view of
the city from the rooftop.
The rest of the staff at the Majestic was courteous, helpful
and friendly. It’s amazing how first impressions and actions of the staff altered
my perception of the hotel.
More about Barcelona next week.
Cheers,
Margot Justes
Blood Art
A Hotel in Paris
A Hotel in Bath
Hot Crimes Cool Chicks
www.mjustes.com
