Review Grand Hotel Central Barcelona
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Grand Hotel Central sits proudly on one of Barcelona's major streets - Via Laietana. The street runs from the port area to the centre of town, close to the top of the Ramblas.
Grand Hotel Central's exterior is impressively large and classical in its structure. However, it does not do full justice to what lies beneath. The lobby of the hotel goes some way to indicating the hotel's style. It is modern, whilst retaining the classical structure of the building - there is a marble spiral staircase with ornate wrought iron rails running through its centre. The lobby area offers dim lighting, relaxing music and candles throughout. The furniture is soft and modern, with squidgy sofas in beiges and brown and chunky wooden coffee tables.
The hotel's amenities are first rate - there is Michelin starred restaurant, a terrace with an infinity pool and a roof-top bar. With facilities like these, this may not be the hotel for those who are looking to tighten the purse strings. It is a special place for those who are looking for style and luxury in a central location.
Hotel Facilities:
Grand Hotel Central Barcelona offers a roof-terrace. The terrace comprises a bar, seating area and pool. The terrace is open all year round, however the bar only opens for the summer months (June - September) and it is worth remembering that the pool is not heated. The pool is small (approximately 10 metres by 4 metres) but it is an infinity pool (meaning that it goes right up to the roof's edge to give a sense that there is nothing between the swimmer and the skyline) and is open from 08:00 - 21:30.
The hotel also has a small gym with weights, a running machine and a cycling machine.
The hotel's restaurant is called 'Ávalon' and is well-known in Barcelona due to its chef - Ramón Freixa, who has been awarded one Michelin star. The restaurant offers traditionally Catalan cuisine.
Buffet breakfast is served in the restaurant from 07:00-10:30 and costs €20.00 per person. Lunch and dinner are also available in the restaurant. An a la carte menu is available, as is a three-course set menu, costing €21.40. The restaurant also contains a small bar.
On your left when entering the building there is an area known as the 'Library'. It is a quiet area with a large desk. There are shelves filled with books - mostly design and coffee table books and magazines, plus various guides to Barcelona
No pets are allowed in the hotel.
Business Facilities:
The hotel has four meeting rooms of varying sizes. Two of the rooms have a capacity for 15 people, one has a capacity for 40 people and the largest has a capacity for 70 people.
There is also Wi-Fi available in the lobby area of the hotel - at a cost of €6.00 per hour or €24.00 for the whole day. In all rooms ADSL access is available at the same price as Wi-Fi. Next to the lobby area there is a small business centre containing two computers with free internet access.
Facilities for the Disabled:
There are 4 rooms that have been adapted for wheelchair use. Each of these rooms had widened doors and a rolling shower fitted. There are lifts to all floors.
Unfortunately, the hotel pool does not have a special lift for wheelchair users.
Rooms:
There are a total of 147 rooms in the hotel across 7 floors. Rooms on offer are Standard, Executive and Superior (which can be City, Loft or Master). City suites offer a late check-out option and a King size bed. Loft suites offer the best city views, a free-standing bath, a King size bed and a late check-out option. The Master Suite offers separate lounge and bedroom areas, a King-size bed and an independent bath.
The Standard rooms are either Double or twin beds. All of the Executive rooms have space for 3 people, as do the Superior Loft rooms. The Superior Master room could also accommodate two small children, as there is a double sofa bed in its living room area.
The windows are double-glazed, however, the hotel is on a main road. Therefore, those who are hoping for a very peaceful night's sleep should request an interior room.
There are various views available, however there are no balconies. The Executive City and Loft rooms offer views of Via Laietana and Barcelona Cathedral.
Generally smoking is permitted in the communal areas of the hotel. The rooms on the third floor of the building are smoking, the rest of the hotel's rooms are non-smoking.
Check-in time at the hotel is 14:00 and check-out time is 12:00 noon.
There is an option for short stay rooms in the hotel at special rates, however this is dependent on availability.
All rooms include a television and DVD player (there is a CD and DVD library available), soundproofing, free mini-bar for soft drinks, bathrobes and 24 hour room service.
Hotel Location and Facilities:
Grand Hotel Central is located on one of Barcelona's major streets. It sits at the top of the area of El Born and leads to the Gothic quarter.
The area of El Born is a desirable area to walk around, with beautiful old buildings, small cafés and boutique shops. If nothing else, it is worth a visit for the delicious home-made ice cream at Cremeria Toscana, located close to the church- Esglesia de Santa Maria del Mar. The hotel is also positioned just up from Taller de Tapas, on Carrer del Argenteria. This is a great spot for those who are new to eating tapas - it offers menus in various languages and friendly staff, whilst still maintaining a genuinely Spanish feel.
For those wishing to do some shopping whilst they are in Barcelona, Via Laietana is conveniently close to the action. A 20-minute walk away, is Passeig de Gracia- a street housing a large majority of Barcelona's major designer shops. And for those interested in more obscure, up and coming designers, the area of El Born is the place to be .
The hotel is located a 10 minute walk from Ramblas. Aside from the touristic activities on offer, this is where it will also be possible to find many necessary amenities. These include banks, cash machines, internet cafés, pharmacies and a large supermarket.
How to travel from the airport to the hotel
Private transfer service - Barcelona airport to your hotel or hotel to Barcelona airportIf you don't speak Spanish and you are unfamiliar with Barcelona booking a private airport transfer is a good option to consider. Once booked, you will have someone waiting to meet you at Barcelona airport to take you to your hotel. They will be holding a sign with your name on it. You need to book this service online before you leave by following the links below.
Private airport transfer service
Mini Van Shuttle Transfer To And From Barcelona Airport
If you wish to reserve a shared mini-van transfer from Barcelona Airport to your hotel or vice versa click on the link below. Note that this service is not a private service for you own group but the mini van will be shared with other passengers.
Shared minivan transfer from Barcelona Airport to hotel or hotel to Barcelona Airport
Public transport transfer options
Via Taxi: A taxi from the airport should take about 25 minutes and cost around €25.00 - €30.00 depending on traffic and luggage.
Via Train: The RENFE train leaves the airport every half an hour and will take you to Estacio Franca in about 25 minutes. A single ticket costs €3.60. The hotel is about 20 minutes walk from the station. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the train station if you have lots of luggage. This will take about 10 minutes and cost about €8.00 - €10.00. You can also take the Metro from Barceloneta, around the corner from Estacio Franca, to Jaume I. These are both on the Yellow line, so they will involve no changes.
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. From Plaza de Catalunya take the red line to Urquinaona station and then change onto the yellow line and get off at Jaume 1. The hotel is a few minutes walk from the metro.
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Reservation Information For The Grand Hotel Central
In a Nutshell:
Gran Hotel Central Barcelona provides accommodation to those looking to splash out on somewhere modern yet classic with a vast array of facilities and services. It is well-located, close to both the cool area of El Born and the touristy Ramblas. Those who don't plan on spending much time in their hotel will find little need for a hotel with all the trimmings.
Grand Hotel Central - 4 Star
Via Laietana, 30
08003 Barcelona, España
Metro: Jaume I (Yellow Line, L4)