Our recent stay at the Eurostars Grand Marina hotel in Barcelona started out, as you would expect from a five-star hotel, perfectly. Our stay however included some unexptected surprises…
As we approached the Eurostars Grand Marina Barcelona a friendly doorman greeted us and politely offered to carry our bags inside. He handed us a bottle of cold water, which we very much appreciated in the hot Barcelona summer, and escorted us to the reception desk.
As we stood in line we gazed around the large bright marble lobby with its distinctive circular staircase and large blue abstract painting above the reception desk.
Having welcomed us to the hotel the receptionist asked if we would like a glass of champagne or orange juice. Realizing it could be considered impolite to refuse this generous offer we gladly accepted the refreshing glass of bubbles.
The receptionist then started something that seemed to be more like a scavenger hunt than a quick check-in and, after a few minutes, apologized for not having a room available at that moment. Visibly bothered by this she informed us we would have to wait, for a maximum of two hours, for a room to become available. Not really happy with this we informed her that we had a meeting two and a half hours later and would appreciate it if she could contact us as soon as a room became available.
We handed our luggage to the concierge and decided to use the time to go for a self-guided tour of the hotel and the bar.
Located within the World Trade Center building hotel Eurostars Grand Marina is surrounded by the private yachts moored in Barcelona’s Port Vell on one side and the large cruise ships that are docked on the other side of the port. The world famous Las Ramblas boulevard is a 5-minute walk from the hotel and Drassanes Metro Station, providing links to the rest of the city, is just 500 meters away.
Guests staying at the hotel can enjoy the best views of Barcelona while taking a refreshing dip in the rooftop pool or sipping on a cocktail at the bar. Also located on the 8th floor are a fully equiped gym, a sauna and a massage therapy room.
Having explored the outside of the hotel, we went back inside and headed toward the hotel bar to enjoy a glass of wine and some tapas, while waiting for our room to become available.
Located on the 1st floor The Corner Bar comes complete with a grand piano and some light reading material making it the perfect place to relax and escape the summer heat.
The bar gives access to the intimate Aire de Mar (Sea Breeze) restaurant, a terrace complete with orange trees and the larger restaurant where the luxury buffet breakfast is served.
Not having received a message from the front desk we contacted them after two hours and learned that our room was ready.
As we entered room 227 we were greeted by an open suitcase and a half dressed man who, clearly surprized and not expecting any intruders, nervously tried to put on a shirt. Half shocked we apologized for walking in on the man and left the room as quickly as possible.
We went back towards the lobby and asked the check-in staff if allocating rooms with half naked people in them was part of their five-star service, but could we nevertheless get a room which wasn’t already occupied. At first the people on the other side of the desk looked at us with disbelief followed by “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry” and nervously trying to find another available room.
Our “new” room (room 624) was a large modern room with wooden flooring and light-coloured soft to the touch fabrics. An average sized flat-screen TV with satellite channels and spacious work desk on one side, a king sized bed on the other. In front of the floor-to-ceiling windows were two comfortable chairs and a coffee table.
Some of the amenities in the room included two bottles of complimentary water, coffee and tea making facilities, slippers, bathrobes and a pillow menu.
The large marble bathroom featured a large vanity area, toilet, bidet, bathtub with hydromassage jets and a selection of luxury bathproducts.
We have always wanted to stay at the Eurostars Grand Marina hotel in Barcelona and were looking forward to spending the night and enjoying the amenities and services the hotel provides. Though the hotel doesn’t have that impressive wow factor other five-star properties offers, we have to admit to trully liking its minimalist modern design which gives the hotel an airy and fresh feel.
Unfortunately, due to the stuation with the roomkey, what should have been a great experience turned out to be a rather unpleasant one. Staying in a hotel, in any hotel, means putting your trust and safety in the hands of someone else. Giving strangers access to an occupied room, even unintentionally, is a total breach of that trust and is completely unacceptable.
Planning a trip to Barcelona? Have a look at Hotel Indigo Barcelona for a cool stay on the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, TWO Hotel Barcelona by Axel if you are looking for a heterofriendly stay or Hotel Barcelona House for affordable accommodations footsteps away from the Gothic Quarter and Placa Reial.