-
@NorthernLass – I remember hitching to just outside Ciudad Rodrigo from
Asturias one half term in the 80s and then walking overnight into Portugal!As for Madrid, my go-to in the centre is the NH Suecia: fabulous location, amazing
rooftop bar and the “hidden” Hemingway cocktail bar downstairs: chainy and boutiquey at the same time!If you can tear yourself away from the chains with their status benefits, I’ve stayed in this very nice ’boutique’ hotel: https://www.7islashotel.com/es/
Central location tucked just off Gran Via, pleasant lobby/bar area, and really nice breakfasts in a country where breakfast isn’t a big thing.
To me, ’boutique’ hotel means no desk to work at. The last boutique hotel I stayed at had a single socket in the main room and just one more in the bathroom. Since my phone was plugged into the single socket in the bedroom, I had to charge my Apple Watch overnight by plugging it into the other socket above the toilet and resting the watch on the cistern. In the morning I woke to find my brand new Apple Watch had fallen off the toilet, landed on the hard floor and cracked the screen 🙁
I’m happy to stick with the chain hotels.
Except that the chains are also removing work desks. Especially new hotels.
Ha! I remember at that time there was a border guard in a little booth who stamped your passport when crossing the Minho. Going shopping in the fort in Valença was a big day out, lol.
I’ve got a few bookings this year going via MAD so will be re-acquainting myself with the city after 25 years.
@JDB will be overjoyed that there are virtually no chain hotels in Vigo so I have booked a very romantic-looking converted “hermoso molino” for OH and me in August following our deplorable 3 nights at the IC Madrid 😂While we are on the subject of independent chains and Spain, I’ve just finished my program for a trip to Brasil, I wanted to stay at the Grand hyatt, but being in Barra, it was just too far away for our needs, unfortunately.
We are actually staying in a Castle when we arrive for a couple of days (not my idea).
Also staying the Porto bay property in Rio, they have approximately 17 properties, some in Portugal and Spain.
And a stay at the Sanma hotel (for its close proximity, a few minutes walk to the falls entrance) on our visit to Iguazu falls, including visiting the Argentina side.
@JDB did offer some options in Rio a while back, but we chose our properties with budget, location and reviews in mind,The JW Marriott in Rio looked a good option until I read the reviews, not ideal for the price point.
None of our properties for our stay are main chain, so I am fairly well satisfied of my support for the independents.
I think the problem in Rio, like many other cities, is the cost of real estate, that jacks up the prices of properties, especially in the Copacabana beach area.
To me, ’boutique’ hotel means no desk to work at. The last boutique hotel I stayed at had a single socket in the main room and just one more in the bathroom. Since my phone was plugged into the single socket in the bedroom, I had to charge my Apple Watch overnight by plugging it into the other socket above the toilet and resting the watch on the cistern. In the morning I woke to find my brand new Apple Watch had fallen off the toilet, landed on the hard floor and cracked the screen 🙁
I’m happy to stick with the chain hotels.
Except that the chains are also removing work desks. Especially new hotels.
Then I’ll simply avoid any of those, since I hardly ever take a trip that doesn’t involve some degree of remote working.
If you can tear yourself away from the chains with their status benefits, I’ve stayed in this very nice ’boutique’ hotel: https://www.7islashotel.com/es/
Central location tucked just off Gran Via, pleasant lobby/bar area, and really nice breakfasts in a country where breakfast isn’t a big thing.
To me, ’boutique’ hotel means no desk to work at. The last boutique hotel I stayed at had a single socket in the main room and just one more in the bathroom. Since my phone was plugged into the single socket in the bedroom, I had to charge my Apple Watch overnight by plugging it into the other socket above the toilet and resting the watch on the cistern. In the morning I woke to find my brand new Apple Watch had fallen off the toilet, landed on the hard floor and cracked the screen 🙁
I’m happy to stick with the chain hotels.
Except that the chains are also removing work desks. Especially new hotels.
Then I’ll simply avoid any of those, since I hardly ever take a trip that doesn’t involve some degree of remote working.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
