After staying a few days at the Hotel Ritz, Madrid I was excited to visit El Palace. Prior to the change of name (2005), this hotel was also the first Ritz hotel. In fact, the nameplate – reading Hotel Ritz – is set in the sidewalk as you enter the hotel.
The hotel first opened in 1919 and has been considered Barcelona’s most iconic hotel for more than 90 years. Salvador Dali once lived in the suite that now bears his name. The hotel was totally refurbished and opened again in 2009 as a grand – and beautiful – luxury hotel. There are still the Ritz traditions you would expect: liveried doorman in top hat and tails, red drapes in the imperial lobby, gilded columns and moldings, and a massive chandelier.
El Palace Hotel is located the center of Barcelona, close to Paseo de Gracia and Las Ramblas. It’s close to many of the sites of Barcelona, the main Gaudi buildings, and the Gothic Area. It’s easy to reach by public transportation and less than 15 minutes from the port city. From this hotel, all parts of Barcelona are easily accessible.
After the renovations were completed, the hotel reopened with 42 suites and 83 rooms. The pictures we took don’t do these rooms justice (click on the links below to see the rooms on their website). The room renovation and design were very well done, complete with state-of-the-art technology. But there were also the original fireplaces and Roman baths, just as they were created in 1919. And they’ve done a very good job of blending these two time periods.
- Classic Deluxe
- Classic Deluxe with Roman Bath
- Junior Suite
- Coco Mat – Junior Suite
- Privilege Junior Suite
- Suite
- Salvador Dali Suite
As you would expect, the hotel restaurant feature delicious international cuisine. We had a wonderful dinner (see photos above) in the Caelis Restaurant, awarded a Michelin Star. There’s also the recently renovated 19/NINETEEN Restaurant. You can get a British Tea Service; there’s a wonderful Bluesman cocktail bar and just recently El Palace opened Diana’s Romantic Garden and Winter’s Garden, located on the Rooftop terrace.
And if you have special requests, El Palace Hotel Barcelona can meet your needs. Services include, but not limited to, private transfer service, a pillow menu, a business center with complimentary access to the Internet, 24-hour housekeeping service, same-day drive cleaning, laundry service, and an excellent concierge team.
El Palace Hotel Barcelona is a Virtuoso hotel and through our affiliation with Brownell, a Virtuoso agency, we are able to provide you these Virtuoso Amenities when booking through Ron Phillips Travel:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests served in Garden Room (a special supplement of 14 Euro per person is offered for Buffet Breakfast, tax included)
- Guest choice of: $100 USD Equivalent Food & Beverage credit, pay per stay (valid for use at Nineteen Restaurant, Garden Room, Room Service or Minibar only) OR $100 USD Equivalent Spa Services credit, (valid for spa treatments of 50 minutes or longer at Mayan Spa). Not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full.
El Palace Hotel, with the recent renovations and additions, is a wonderful 21st century hotel yet continues the traditions and service standards you would expect from a hotel with its background. We would love to coordinate your stay at El Palace Hotel.
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