Checking into the Fairmont Barcelona hotel, Rey Juan Carlos I, the first thing that hits you is the sheer scale of the place. Sure, there are bigger hotels all across the world but, outside of Vegas, you are rarely able to peer up to the rooms several floors above. The vastness of the marble-floored lobby impressed me every time I stepped back into the hotel and, as you are shuttled up to your room in a glass elevator, it’s fascinating to peer back down below at the ant-sized guests that populate the bar and restaurant.
My room for the trip was on the Executive floor. Thirteen floors up, it offered incredible panoramic views across the city, from the Camp Nou to the left, to Castell de Montjuïc on the right. After picking out several landmarks, my attention turned to the room itself. Every detail was accounted for and the room itself was huge. Each Fairmont Barcelona Executive Junior Suite comes equipped with great furnishings and a marble spa bathroom with separate shower and bath tub, so you instantly feel at home. The pillow was soft and the duvet warm; a dangerous combination that almost convinced me to hibernate in the room for the duration of the trip.
There were plenty of amenities on offer in the hotel during our stay and, while I’d love to say that the fitness facilities and pool were well-equipped (which they most probably are), most of our time was spent in the restaurant and bar. In the morning, we had an impressive variety of foods for breakfast, and in the evenings we were welcomed to the bar by the very welcoming bar staff. Hotel bars are a great place to network or, if you’re a late-night blogger like me, a good option to take your laptop and get some work done. The Old Fashioned cocktails here are great though, so don’t work yourself too hard.
I’d highly recommend checking out the hotel if you’re looking to stay somewhere in Barcelona that is a little more relaxed and not in amongst the tourists of La Rambla. It’s only a few minutes’ walk to the nearby Metro and taxis to and from the city centre were relatively inexpensive. Plus, you’re staying in a Fairmont hotel fit for a king, so the tagline almost sells itself…
