Story and photography by Melanie Votaw

 

Duquesa de Cardona Hotel, Barcelona
Paseo Colom, 12
08002 Barcelona, Spain
www.hduquesadecardona.com

One of the prime locations in Barcelona is at the waterfront, and while visiting the city, I had the good fortune to stay right across the street from the water at the lovely Duquesa de Cardona Hotel, a small boutique four-star Epoque Hotels property. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a friendly desk clerk, and I felt very welcome.

Cardona is the name of the family that originally owned the building, which was built in the 16th century but has been completely redone. Despite the age of the building, the décor inside the hotel is contemporary. It isn’t at all cold like some modern design can be, however. It’s furnished with cozy velvet fabrics in oranges, browns, and lavender.

With just 40 rooms, the hotel feels very intimate. My floor was square with rooms in the corners and a small lounge area in the center with a computer and printer. I loved being able to check my email in my sweats and slippers. Most business centers require that you go down into the lobby or basement to access a computer.

The Duquesa de Cardona has six classes of rooms: Classic, Deluxe Harbor View (on the upper floors only), Junior Suite, Triple, Family, and Accessible. I had a Classic room, which was small but very comfortable and elegant with a lavender velvet bedspread and matching chairs. My large bed was actually two smaller beds pushed together. That isn’t my favorite arrangement, but I found this to be quite common in Spain.

My room contained a desk, two chairs, two end tables with lamps, an electronic minibar, another table for luggage, and a small flatscreen TV that received some channels in English. There was a small safe in the closet, and I was provided with slippers and a bathrobe.

The bathroom fixtures were very modern with a sleek and slender but wide sink. Amenities included body lotion in a sandalwood and rosewood scent, as well as combination body and hair gel in mint/eucalyptus, both made by Keisi, an Italian brand.

The restaurant, La Duquesa, is in an area off the lobby that was once a stable, but it has been turned into a lovely dining room with high ceilings. A comprehensive buffet breakfast is included with the room, and lunch and dinners are also served. The breakfast buffet included meats, pastries, eggs, juices, coffee, tea, and more.

On the hotel’s top floor, the Terrace Brisa Del Mar gives you a beautiful view of the harbor, a swimming pool, a cocktail bar, and tapas. Breakfast is served there as well, and cocktails and snacks are served from noon to 11:30 p.m. You can enjoy live music there in the summer (June to September) on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

The hotel also contains a small lounge called the Cardona Social Lounge, which is on the basement floor of the hotel. It contains Internet access, a large plasma television, and bar service.

The property offers comprehensive Concierge services to help you choose activities in the city, including arrangements for a helicopter ride.

Technically, the hotel is located on the maritime promenade called “Moll de la Fusta” which is a street filled with upscale cafes, restaurants, and bars. This area is also within walking distance of the Gothic Quarter and La Rambla, Barcelona’s most famous street. Across the street from the hotel, the waterfront contains L’Aquarium, which is the largest aquarium in Europe, the Olympic Village, the Maritime Museum with wonderful reproductions of antique ships, an IMAX theatre, and – when I was in town – a traveling circus.

Even though the hotel has no driveway of its own, it was easy for a taxi to pull in and drop me off at the entrance. I also left for the airport from the hotel and was able to get a taxi immediately with the help of the doorman.

I love cozy, intimate boutique hotels like the Duquesa de Cardona. You can leave the hustle and bustle of large hotels behind without so many people walking in and out. At night, the hotel was very quiet, and I especially found the décor of this hotel to be very inviting. Plus, in a hotel of this size, you can be sure that the staff will remember you, which helps you to feel more at home. I wouldn’t hesitate to stay at the Duquesa de Cardona again during my next visit to Barcelona.

 

 

 

© June 2010 LuxuryWeb Magazine. All rights reserved.

 

Issue:
January
2012