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Review Casanova by Rafael Hotels Barcelona
Casanova by Rafael Hotels sits proudly on a street corner on Gran Via in Barcelona city centre. The building is large and grand, with wrought iron balconies and sandy stone bricks. Large sheets of glass display the building’s interior, where huge white paper lanterns and flower displays lurk inside. On entering the building there is a general bustle. On the day of my visit this was largely attributed to the conference that was taking place in the bar area of the lobby of the hotel. The décor in the lobby is unconventional whilst still remaining stylish – a lime green back-lit front desk is far more attractive than its description may suggest. It sits well amongst the comfy low black couches, squidgy brown cushions and black marbled floor. The lighting in the lobby is low and relaxing. The bar area takes up more than half of the lobby. At weekends it is open until 03:00 and is popular amongst guests and locals alike for its cocktails and DJs. Hotel Facilities:Despite the hotel’s luxury status, it does not offer a pool or a fitness centre. However, it does have a spa area on the second floor. This offers massage showers, massages and stone treatments. During the summer there is a small garden area, for customers to have their massages outside. A massage must be booked and are an additional cost. The hotel has a restaurant on its first floor – ‘Mexiterranae’. It creates a mezzanine over the lobby area and serves Mexican – Mediterranean fusion cuisine. They offer a set menu (Menu del Dia) at lunchtime and an a la carte menu in the evenings. Continental buffet breakfast is also served in this restaurant. It costs 20 euros per person and is served from 07:00 – 10:30 on weekdays and from 07:30 – 11:00 at weekends. The bar area in the lobby of the hotel also serves a small range of snack food including salads and sandwiches. The bar is open from 11:00 – 01:00 from Sunday – Wednesday and from 11:00 – 03:00 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. No pets are allowed in the hotel. Business Facilities:There is a 400 metre squared space in the hotel for meetings and conferences. This can be divided into a maximum of 10 smaller spaces. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. It costs 9 euros for 1 hour or 15 euros for 24 hours. There is no business centre in the hotel, however, if guest do not have their own computer they can borrow a laptop from reception. Facilities for the Disabled:There is one room per floor (a total of 7 rooms) that has been adapted for wheelchair use. They have widened doors and special showers. There are lifts to all floors. Rooms:There are a total of 124 rooms in the hotel over 7 floors. All rooms are either doubles of twins, however, a third bed can be added to some rooms. Rooms are categorised as: Suite, Junior Suite, Superior and Deluxe. Those wishing for the best city views should request a room at the front of the building from the fifth floor upwards. Rooms at the front of the hotel provide balconies. Those hoping for a quiet night’s sleep should request rooms at the interior of the hotel. All rooms provide a safe, a mini-bar, a television with satellite and a bathrobe. Rooms on the fifth floor of the building are smoking. The rest of the hotel is non-smoking, including the bar area. Hotel Location and Facilities:The hotel is located on one of Barcelona’s largest and widest roads – Gran Via. This road links Plaza de la Universitat, home of the Univerity of Barcelona to Plaza de Espanya, home of Barcelona’s palace and the convention centre – Fira de Barcelona. This makes the hotel’s location very useful for those attending one of the numerous conferences that take place in the large conference space. It also ensures that guests are a ten-minute walk from one of Barcelona’s touristic centres – the Ramblas and Plaza de Catalunya. Plaza Espanya offers more than just a convention centre and would also be of interest to tourists. Particularly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights when there is a free Magic Fountain show at the Palace. For more information, please see our article on the Guide to the Magic Fountains
The hotel is placed a five-minute walk, straight down Gran Via, to Casa Golferichs, at number 491. It is a beautiful building, designed by one of Gaudi’s followers and very much in his style, with colourful tiled walls, wooden arches and elaborate wrought iron finishes. 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 Passeig de Gracia in 25 minutes. You can either use the T10 transport ticket from the airport (T10 costs 7.70 euros for 10 separate journeys on Barcelona public transport) or you can buy a single fare ticket for 2.80 euros. You then change at Passeig de Gracia onto the Purple Line metro and travel one stop to Universitat. Your hotel is then 5 minutes walk from the metro. Via Bus: Take the 'Aerobus' to Plaza de Catalunya from directly outside the airport. The Aerobus generally runs every 10 - 15 minutes and the journey time is 30 minutes. The hotel is 25 minutes walk from Plaza de Catalunya, or 10 minutes in a taxi that will cost about 6 - 8 euros. Alternatively, you can catch the metro from Plaza de Catalunya to Universitat on the Red Line, which is just one stop. From here, the hotel is a 5 minute walk from the metro.
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