Hotel Colón by Jenny Pidgeon
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The main draw of the Colón is, of course, it’s location. Bang opposite Barcelona’s imposing cathedral in the centre of the Gothic quarter, tourists visiting the historic city can’t get much more in the centre of things (although it is less convenient for business travellers and shopoholics, who might prefer to lodge further up the Passeig de Gracia). The cathedral square is lively and bustling, and guests sitting at the shaded tables running along the hotel’s front or leaning out of their balconied windows can enjoy a bird’s eye view of goings on. As well as the ubiquitous buskers, beggars and drunks, these often include the more agreeable sights and sounds of brass bands accompanying the middle-aged folk of Barcelona engaging in a spot of traditional circle-dancing. Visitors to Barcelona in Summer 2004, please note that the cathedral is entirely boarded up in scaffolding (quite an architectural marvel in itself but probably not worth flying halfway round the world for) at least until the Autumn.
The enviable location means that room rates are high, although prices are somewhat more justified since the 2002 renovations improved standards of both guestrooms and public areas. The spacious salons and café/bar on the ground floor are quite grand with well-stuffed sofas, period artwork and decorative furniture pieces. The space feels rather unused though, with most guests preferring to seek the sunshine outside in the square where they can quaff their drinks al fresco. In the morning, guests are led downstairs to a large subterranean breakfast room which enjoys very little natural light (although bright yellow walls and plenty of green plants do their best to make up for this). There is an impressive hot & cold buffet on offer, only let down by pre-brewed coffee which stands, mulling, waiting to be brought to your table with a flourish.
Upstairs, pleasant corridors featuring painted antiques and well-chosen art, lead to the 145 bedrooms. Best (and most expensive) are the newly-renovated rooms facing the cathedral, nine of which have private terraces. Rooms on the 6th floor are particularly recommended and guests should pay for the highest room category possible, as side-views and standards tend to be rather bland. Matching fabrics are taken to a new level with bedcovers, chairs, walls and curtains all co-ordinating. Bathrooms are large and amenities include a/c, satelite tv and modem.
Whilst the staff in general is friendly and eager to help, too-many oversights included a half-used bottle of shampoo in the bathroom on our arrival, a butt-laden ash-tray (not ours) lingering on our balcony throughout the 2-night stay and a mysterious mini-bar charge on check out, which was only semi-courteously waived upon questioning. Whilst the predominantly middle-aged American and English clientele seemed happy, readers might consider staying at the much more reasonably priced sister hotel Regencia Colón which is located just behind the Colón. Whilst it doesn’t offer the same views or a 24hour service, accommodation standards are only slightly below those next door and represent better value for money at the present time.
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