Hi all,
We spent 11 days/nights in Spain right after the new year. This group was incredibly helpful in planning my trip. I am posting this in hopes in can help other travelers.
Our group: Two families. Our family of four (parents in early 50s, son 23, daughter 20). Son’s longtime girlfriend, 23, and her parents, also early 50s.
This was our first trip to Spain. We have been to several countries in Europe and are experienced in train travel, making our trip etc.
Hotels: We chose all 4-star hotels, included breakfast and picked locations central to what we wanted to do.
Madrid: Hotel Catalonia Puerta del Sol. Great location on Atocha street very close to Sol. It was central to Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace and Cathedral in one direction, and the Museums and Retiro Park in another. This had the best breakfast in my opinion. Churro and waffle station, different kinds of bread, cold water and juices, champagne and juice for mimosas, cheeses, cold cuts, cereals. In the hot items there were always scrambled eggs, some type of roasted veggies, some type of sausage, bacon. They also made eggs to order. Breakfast is not cheap (23 euros pp) but we opted to pay for hotels breakfasts for convenience. They allowed us to remove it from the last day since we had a 7:00 am train (offered a picnic as well, but we dad a train fare with breakfast included. Smallest of the hotels we stayed in.
Granada: NH Collection Granada Victoria. Also great location. This was our favorite in terms the vibe, rooms, etc. The breakfast was also very good. Also had eggs made to order. Great price (it may have helped we were past the holidays by this time).
Sevilla: Soho Boutique Catedral: This was also an awesome location. This one had the least amenities. They did not allow us to remove breakfast on the last night. They also charged out travelling companions for a pick-up service that is third party and was cancelled by us a week prior. Breakfast was good, but again our least favorite. Since they did not allow us to remove breakfast, they made us picnics. Since we had breakfast on the train, we saved them for lunch. In the bags they put a ham and cheese sandwich, an orange, bottled water, bottled juice, 4 mini pastries, and three “polvorón” type cookies.
Barcelona: H10 Universitat – this was also a good location, close to Plaza Catalunya. This hotel had the most amenities. The one thing I did not like was the glass doors on the bathroom. They had texture but were not really private. The bathroom was to one side, so it wasn’t terrible, but fot it being a Jr Suite with three adults it wasn’t ideal. Breakfast was pretty good. In the hot things it had Jasmine Rice. They put fresh croissants on all of the tables. Weren’t offered eggs made to order.
Transportation -
Alvia to Toledo – short ride, very easy. On time, and easy to pick up a taxi to town.
AVE to Granada – we travelled in first class, which included breakfast at the table. We all chose the hot breakfast, which was an omelette and pototatoes. There was also bread, a croissant, jellies and butter, juice and fruit. Here they gave us a beverage menu and we got to order from this menu.
ALSA to Sevilla – We chose the bus because it provided the most direct route. Tickets were around 19 euros. The bus ride was decent. We put our luggage under the bus, but kept our personal items. My backpack, which is rather small, did not fit on the top compartment, and there was no room under the seats. So I had to have it for three hours on my lap. Beware of this if you choose this option. Bus left and arrived on time.