THE HOTEl: AC Barcelona, Paseo Taulat,
278, 08019 Barcelona, Spain. The hotel is two minutes walk from the ultra-modern CCIB exhibition centre in the business quarter of Barcelona. The stylish four-star property has 368 guestrooms.
THE CHECK-IN: I arrived early evening and was welcomed by two receptionists wearing smart dark uniforms. Check-in was speedy and I was informed of the hotel facilities and dining arrangements.
THE ROOM: My Junior Suite overlooked the convention centre, facing the sea. It was equipped with two single beds and the seating area featured a sofa and armchair, small desk, flat-screen TV with more than 20 channels and wifi internet. A vestibule had a wardrobe and chest of drawers but no ironing board. There was a free mini-bar containing beer and soft drinks but no tea or coffee facilities. The bathroom had a huge bath and double shower room stocked with Algotherm toiletries. Surprisingly, there was no safe.
THE BUSINESS: There is a small business centre on the ground floor with free use of computers for guests. Event facilities can hold up to 500 delegates or be sectioned off into break-out rooms for smaller meetings.
THE FACILITIES: The hotel has a business centre, 24-hour room service and laundry service, a spa, fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool, Turkish bath, a sauna and solarium, all free to use for hotel guests.
THE RESTAURANT: The Dia & Nit restaurant is open 24 hours a day with a Mediterranean menu of salads, pasta, risotto, vegetables, meat and fish. Breakfast is around £15 – room service should be avoided at £5 for a cup of tea! In the lobby balcony, El Café serves drinks and Spanish canapés until midnight. During the summer months the Natura Café beside the swimming pool serves a menu of fresh products and sandwiches.
THE VErDICT: An efficient and friendly business hotel ideally suited for exhibitions and conferences at the CCIB Centre. A busy motorway between the conference centre and seaside makes for a noisy night if you prefer your windows open.
THE DETAILS: The hotel is one of six AC properties in Barcelona. Rates are from 280 euros (around £248) for a standard room
and 504 euros (around £446) for a suite.
Tel: +34 93489 8200; see: www.ac-hotels.com Jo Austin
