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Review AB Skipper Hotel Barcelona
AB Skipper Hotel is one of Barcelona’s newest five star hotels. However, it has the look and feel of a hotel ready to take on its more established competitors. On approaching the building you may be forgiven for thinking that it was an office block, rather than a hotel. The bright and stark lobby area also has a corporate feel. This may not appeal to those who enjoy hotels with history, however, there is a distinct impression that the hotel are looking to offer something different. As a modern hotel, it has been built with modern requirements in mind- there are two pools, a spa, a rooftop gym and copious business facilities (detailed below). Various specific requirements are catered for, with services such as macrobiotic cooking, yacht rental and babysitting services. Situated on the beach and harbour, it is a perfect location for those looking for sea-views, beach and boating holidays and relaxation. However, located on a major road, it does not provide the same immersion into Barcelona life that hotels in the city centre offer. Its interior is light and airy, with high ceilings and much glass in the restaurant and lobby areas. There are 235 rooms over 8 floors, giving the hotel a lively and bustling atmosphere. However, this may not be suited to those hoping for a more personal, boutique hotel experience. Hotel Facilities:AB Skipper Hotel is a modern-thinking hotel, clearly aiming to offer as many facilities as possible to an international clientele.
There are two outdoor pools in the hotel. The first and largest is on the ground floor and is not heated. It is surrounded by sun loungers, an outdoor bar (open from June to September) and tables and chairs where you can order breakfast. The second is on a terrace overlooking the beach and Port Olimpic. Sitting alongside the iconic golden fish structure, known well by all Barcelona sun-worshippers, the sky-line is impressive. The terrace pool is heated and sits next to a Jacuzzi that bubbles all year round. There is also a small bar that is open in the summer months (June to September), unfortunately only open until 21:00. Adjacent to the pool is a rooftop gym, available for usage by all clientele. This is one of the benefits of the newness of the hotel. Older hotels have often added gyms as an after-thought, relying on less desirable spaces for their fitness centres. AB Skipper Hotel´s gym is a small but impressive space, with glass walls, allowing for a view of the sea whilst exercising. There are two restaurants and three bars in the hotel. The two restaurants are on the ground floor. The Malbeck is large and airy and aims to offer fast and light international food that is generally Mediterranean in style. It is in this space that both breakfast and lunch buffets are available, though not included in the room price.
The Syrah Restaurant is a more intimate space, seating approximately 40-50 people and offers a more classical fine dining experience. The restaurant’s head chef is from a background at El Bulli and this is reflected in the experimental and interesting style of the menu. An evening tasting menu is on offer, however, a sixty minute lunch menu is also available. The hotel is aiming to earn a Michelin star for this restaurant, so it may be worth a visit before it is impossible to get a table! On the eighth floor of the building is the hotel’s spa. This is a small space that would hold a maximum of about ten people. It can be booked out in its entirety for groups of approximately five people. Alternatively, individuals can make appointments for treatments such as massages, skin treatments and hair and make-up sessions. The space is inviting, with dark wooden floors, low lighting and a Jacuzzi in the centre. It has large windows overlooking the city’s skyline- timing appointments to coincide with sunset could reap a picturesque reward. Business Facilities:
AB Skipper Hotel is a venue that has clearly been built with a business clientele in mind. On my visit, an international company were using the venue as a conference space. Plasma screens throughout the ground floor of the hotel screened the company’s logo and further information. There was also a welcome desk constructed exclusively for members of this company. This may be something that does not appeal to people wishing to visit the hotel purely for recreational purposes. The basement floor of the hotel is devoted entirely to function rooms. There are five meeting rooms and seven smaller syndicate rooms. The largest room is 684 metres squared and the smallest is 20 metres squared. These rooms cater for everything from cinema style presentations to small and impromptu meetings. On this floor there is also the ‘Business Centre’ where there are five PCs with internet connection, software programmes and colour printers. There is also a photocopier and fax machine. There is also internet access in all rooms and Wi-Fi in all public areas. Even the restaurants cater for business people, with the Malbeck Restaurant’s focus on offering healthy food that can be served at speed and the Syrah Restaurant offering a sixty minute three course lunch menu (this menu must be ordered by everybody at the table). Facilities for the Disabled:There is wheelchair access to the building and lifts to every floor. Each floor has one room that is the closest room to the lift – there are eight disabled rooms in total. These rooms have widened doors for wheelchair access. The rooms have a shower with a special seat. The pools in the hotel have a special chair lift for access into and out of the pool. Rooms:There are six different categories of room in the hotel (listed below in rack rates). All rooms offer wide-screen televisions, CD and DVD players. They also offer internet access and work desks. The more expensive rooms offer various options as to how you would like the room to be laid out. Some also have their own terraces. The hotel offers family rooms. These are suitable for families of more than four and have their own entrance hall. There are also various room options for couples looking for a romantic break. They offer options such as flowers, strawberries and cava on arrival; a late 15:00 check-out time and a bath prepared with rose petals and tealights. A well-chosen room could offer stunning views of either the sea or the city’s skyline. It is worth asking about room views when making a booking. Hotel Location and Facilities:The hotel is located on the beach and is perfect for those looking for a beach style holiday. Directly behind the hotel is the Port Olimpic- home to some of Barcelona’s glitziest casinos and night clubs. Night clubs such as Shoko and Catwalk often host big name DJs in glamorous surroundings. Some of the nearby beach side restaurants may also be an interesting alternative to the hotel restaurants. Bestial, at 2-4 Ramon Trias Fargas, is a popular restaurant serving Mediterranean food with a terrace directly on the beach. It is open until 02:00 at weekends, serving cocktails on the terrace. Escriba, at Ronda Litoral 42, is also a well-renowned ‘chiringuito’. Chiringuitos are the small shacks that line Barcelona’s beaches, serving food and drinks. Most simply serve standard fare at tourist prices. Esbcriba offers quality seafood at reasonably high prices, on tables overlooking the seafront. It is worth a trip there for the pastries alone, served from the Escriba bakery! For those looking for a city break in Barcelona, the hotel may not be perfectly located – it is closer to the beach than the city centre. However, the hotel is a mere five minutes walk from the El Born area. This is an attractive part of Barcelona’s old town and is full of bars and restaurants. It is also the home of the popular Picasso museum, at Calle Montcada 15-23. The hotel is a fifteen minute walk, along the harbour, to the base of the Ramblas. It is not particularly well located for general amenities such as supermarkets and pharmacies, although much of these can be found by taking a stroll to the local Barceloneta area. How to Travel from the Airport to the Hotel:Via Taxi: A taxi from the airport should take about 25 minutes and cost around 25 – 30 euros depending on traffic and luggage. Via Train: The RENFE train leaves the airport every half an hour and will take you to Estacio de Franca in about 35 minutes. A single ticket costs 2.80 euros. The hotel is about 15 minutes walk from the station. Alternatively, you can a taxi from Franca Station if you have lots of luggage. This will take about 5 minutes and cost about 7 euros. Via Bus: Take the 'Aerobus ' to Plaza de Catalunya from directly outside the airport. The Aerobus generally run every 10 - 15 minutes and the journey time is 30 minutes. From Plaza Catalunya take the green Line to Passeig de Gracia and change here for the yellow line to Barceloneta. Alternatively the hotel is 15 minutes in a taxi from Plaza Catalunya and will cost about 10-12 euros.
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