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Barcelona is one of the foremost city break destinations in Europe. The attractions of the city are numerous and it is well served with the facilities and infrastructure to cope with large visitor numbers. Host of the 1992 Olympics and many other world events, Barcelona hospitality is at the core of the city's success. Within Barcelona, Spain, luxury hotels are at the forefront of that renowned service and hospitality and are well placed for convenient access to the Barcelona's most enduring and popular features and attractions.
Barcelona is synonymous with award-winning and rightly famous architecture, but this is no landlocked urban city sprawl. With no less than seven beaches, Barcelona also enjoys some of what make the Costa Blanca, on which it sits, one of the most popular beach holiday destinations. Add to this the sunny climate, cosmopolitan café culture and lifestyles, excellent restaurants, nightlife and arts and entertainment possibilities, and the appeal of the city can be easily appreciated.
It is the architecture however which, to most people, defines Barcelona. An ancient city, founded by Carthaginian, and father of Hannibal, Hamilcar Barca, in the 3rd Century BCE, the city was subsequently developed by a series of peoples, with Roman remains in particular being evident throughout the city. The old city centre or Gothic Quarter is laid out in typical Roman style and the basilica La Seu Cathedral uses Roman walls in its construction. The Cathedral is typical of the Mediaeval gothic-style architecture of the old city.
While the ancient and mediaeval sights in the city tell of its important history, it is more recent architecture which draws the crowds in Barcelona. The work of the city's most famous local architect is found throughout and its importance is recognized by World Heritage Site Status. The architect is Antoni Gaudi and his most impressive work, the church of the Sagrada Familia, is one the most remarkable and appealing examples of Art Nouveau architecture anywhere in the world.
If Gaudi's work is as much art as architecture, this is typical in a city where walking and exploring is a favorite pastime and the best way to take in the architecture old and new, many dozens of outstanding parks, shopping areas and wonderful museums which include dedicated Miro and Picasso museums and also the Barcelona Museum of Modern Art and National Museum of Art of Catalonia. Both are essential must-sees for those who wish to explore the artistic heritage of the city and region. In Barcelona, Spain, luxury hotels form the perfect base from which to experience all the local flavor, history and culture.
Barcelona is of course also a major commercial and business-oriented city. It has a very large and busy container seaport and many national and multi-national corporations have offices in the city. The commitment to modernism in architecture is most evident within the business districts and in Barcelona, Spain, luxury hotels are mindful of the demands of modern business travelers. Sleek ultra-modern hotels sit comfortable with the progressive culture of the city and some are specifically designed with corporate clients in mind.
Business-oriented hotels in Barcelona will have a full range of services and facilities to conduct efficient business in the city. These may include dedicated business centers, complete with work stations, computer equipment, fax, printing and copying services, and sometimes also secretarial and translation assistance too. Boardrooms and meeting rooms often feature either in business centers or executive floors given over to the needs of business clients. Executive suites and rooms are also popular and generally have additional facilities such as work desks, dual-line telephones and satellite televisions with world news channels. Some of the Barcelona business hotels associate with international exhibition and conference centers in the city.
Within any luxury hotel, guests should expect a high level of luxury services and amenities and within Barcelona, Spain, luxury hotels do not disappoint. Guests will be met with attentive service at all times and can enjoy 24 hour room and concierge services. Air conditioning will come as standard and the rooms and suites will be stylishly furnished and equipped with state of the art audio and visual entertainment systems. Spacious luxury bathrooms will be supplemented with high quality bathroom products and there may also be a terrace or balcony, to make the most of the stunning views.
A popular form of luxury hotel favored by a certain clientele are so called boutique hotels, in which style and service form the main appeal. Barcelona's architectural riches make for some excellent boutique hotel environments and they all give a sense of luxury, exclusivity and the very highest levels of personal service. Other luxury hotels in Barcelona make the most of the beaches and beach life. Often with associated features such as multiple swimming pools, and family-centered services and activities, the luxury beach hotels of Barcelona can compete with any of the most popular Costa Blanca resorts.
Whatever the style, location or facilities of Barcelona's luxury hotels, what guests are assured of is at least one fist class dining facility. The cuisine of Spain and Catalonia is famed for its use of an abundance of fresh, locally sourced ingredients used to create an array of wonderful dishes. Dining environments within Barcelona's luxury hotels will serve a selection of local favorites as well as culinary options from wider regions and the world. Some of the best restaurants of Barcelona are found within its most prized luxury hotels.
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