Barcelona recommendations

[pilotoui]

Look to book 3 nights in Barcelona. There are 3 hotels under IHG that look good. Anyone had any experience with any of them as Diamond Ambassador?

Kimpton Vividora Hotel
Intercontinental
Hotel Indigo Plaza Catalunya

[Michael C]

Just to point out that the IC is in no way as near a “desirable” location as the other two!

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

The Kimpton is in the gothic area and is inaccesible by car unless you pre-book a pickup with the hotel for a crazy price. May be of note if arriving late at night as you’d have to drag luggage from the nearest car drop off point

[davefl]

Stayed at the Vidora last year for 2 nights. Amazing service, lovely room, even got a pre-call to see if I had any requests. Was checked in at 11am even though I’d just stopped by to drop my luggage. (that was as Platinum/Amb and using my free night certificate)

Taxi can take you to with 100 yards and you walk down the pedestrianised street. Not really an issue unless you have a massive amount or have mobility issues, I dragged my luggage all the way from the Alexandra Curio.

Indigo PC would be good for public transport but noiser and busier. Wouldnt stay at the IC, it’s in a bad location.

[cercwc76]

Stayed in IC using my ambassador weekend night award last year. It is close to the music fountain and approx. 5 mins walk to the subway. Enjoyed the stay with no problem at all even went back at night.

[AnotherUser]

The IC location is maybe slightly less convenient for most sights (bar the magic fountain) and eating out, but I’d have no qualms about staying there. Taxis are pretty cheap and easily available in Barcelona if needs-be.

I’ve not stayed in any of these hotels. The Kimpton said they’d give me a 1 category room upgrade as Diamond (subject to availability) when I was considering staying there. If you’re paying cash, it’s also worth checking out alternatives in the city that aren’t part of one of the big chains – even with free breakfast at IHG, on previous stays I’ve always found other 4*/5* places better value. Appreciate that you may have different preferences to me, though!

[Dace]

Only stayed at the IC. I found it to be a good hotel that has been renovated recently with a decent champagne in the lounge and good service. Getting round was also not an issue with the subway so close.

[BJ]

Faced with the same choice I picked Indigo as research from multiple sources suggested it was the best option. Our stay was the weekend before last and it did not go well! I booked a suite, hours before arrival this changed to King Premier on my app, then after arrival we were told our selected room was unavailable so we were being upgraded to a larger room. This was despite the fact I let them know a week in advance that our arrival would be around 9pm and requested they hold our room. The so-called upgrade was to a room that was partly below grown level with the window at ground level itself such that all you see are people’s feet and legs moving past. There was a whole row of such rooms. All were under the festaurant and noise disturbance from scraping chairs continued into the late hours and restarted with the breakfast service in the morning. I complained immediately but reception were unable to relocate us as the hotel was fully booked. I suspect others were given our booked room earlier in the day following complaints regarding the rooms I just described. We were moved to a King Premier the next day which was a nice room but still nit the suite we booked. I asked to discuss issues with duty manager but was informed none were available during the weekend. I made my complaint in writing and followed it up with a second one regarding safety shortcomings. A week has passed since we checked out with no response to my complaints. If none is forthcoming by Monday I shall escalate it to IHG. Note that room descriptions suggest a stocked minibar is included: you will find it empty on arrival with a price list if you want them to stock it. Rooms advertised as having a jetted tub do not all have one. Reception staff were professional and polite but nit welcoming. I was aware of other guests complaints the weekend we stayed. On the plus side the location is excellent, you can walk just about anywhere from the hotel. The airport express bus stop on Pmaza Catalunya is only 5 minutes walk away. Tme rooms were very nice with comfortable beds. Breakfast selection was good, and no drama over availability to Diamond members.