Category: Industry News

The Portuguese chain, currently in the process of internationalising the brand in Europe, will be operating the luxury hotel in Plaza Mayor for at least 40 years.

Casa de la Carnicería stands in the centre of the south side of Madrid’s iconic square, Plaza Mayor. The four-storey building is topped by angular towers on the sides, a gabled top floor and an arcaded ground floor. It is very similar to Casa de la Panadería, just opposite, although the latter’s walls are decorated with frescoes, whereas the walls of Casa de la Carnicería are red. Nobody knows exactly how far back the original building dates, but it is thought that it was rebuilt in 1631 after a fire.

Hotel group Pestana has submitted the best financial proposal for the competition for awarding the contract for managing the future 5-star hotel based in Casa de la Carnicería, owned by Madrid City Council and situated in Plaza Mayor.

The Portuguese chain, currently in the process of internationalising the brand in Europe, will be operating the luxury hotel in Plaza Mayor for at least 40 years.

Casa de la Carnicería stands in the centre of the south side of Madrid’s iconic square, Plaza Mayor. The four-storey building is topped by angular towers on the sides, a gabled top floor and an arcaded ground floor. It is very similar to Casa de la Panadería, just opposite, although the latter’s walls are decorated with frescoes, whereas the walls of Casa de la Carnicería are red. Nobody knows exactly how far back the original building dates, but it is thought that it was rebuilt in 1631 after a fire.

Hotel group Pestana has submitted the best financial proposal for the competition for awarding the contract for managing the future 5-star hotel based in Casa de la Carnicería, owned by Madrid City Council and situated in Plaza Mayor.

The Portuguese chain, currently in the process of internationalising the brand in Europe, will be operating the luxury hotel in Plaza Mayor for at least 40 years.

Casa de la Carnicería stands in the centre of the south side of Madrid’s iconic square, Plaza Mayor. The four-storey building is topped by angular towers on the sides, a gabled top floor and an arcaded ground floor. It is very similar to Casa de la Panadería, just opposite, although the latter’s walls are decorated with frescoes, whereas the walls of Casa de la Carnicería are red. Nobody knows exactly how far back the original building dates, but it is thought that it was rebuilt in 1631 after a fire.

Great Hotels of the world now have 109 4 & 5* properties in their collection, they have recently added the UK Morgan Group which includes the Mondrian Hotel.Great Hotels of the world is an alliance of luxury hotels and resorts. Each hotel in the group is carefully selected for its dedication to excellence in hospitality and its exceptional facilities for both business and leisure travel.

The iPrefer guest loyalty program from Preferred Hotels & Resorts extends points redeemable for cash-value Reward Certificates, elite status, complimentary benefits, and other special benefits to members upon eligible stays at more than 550 participating hotels and resorts worldwide. In January 2015, Preferred Hotels & Resorts introduced the company’s first-ever meeting planner incentive program for US-based meeting planners. Following an introductory period, the company will move to implement a similar incentive scheme worldwide. 

Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest independent hotel brand, representing more than 650 distinctive hotels, resorts, residences, and unique hotel groups across 85 countries. Every property within the portfolio maintains the high quality standards and unparalleled service levels required by the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Integrated Quality Assurance Program. 

The iPrefer guest loyalty program from Preferred Hotels & Resorts extends points redeemable for cash-value Reward Certificates, elite status, complimentary benefits, and other special benefits to members upon eligible stays at more than 550 participating hotels and resorts worldwide. In January 2015, Preferred Hotels & Resorts introduced the company’s first-ever meeting planner incentive program for US-based meeting planners. Following an introductory period, the company will move to implement a similar incentive scheme worldwide. 

This new hotel is in prime position on the corner of Terreiro do Paço, right in the heart of Lisbon, where the ships used to dock.  It is a historic building with period features, chandeliers and vaulted ceilings and a domed inner courtyard which has now been restored and transformed into a luxury, boutique hotel.

For meetings there are two rooms: the Salão Nobre (pictured) with capacity up to 154 people and the Sala Terreiro do Paço for 143 people.

Pousada de Lisboa has 90 bedrooms and there is also a spa, swimming pool, sauna, treatment room and fitness centre.  There are two bars and on the ground floor the restaurant, with seating capacity for 80 people, has views overlooking Terreiro do Paço – Praça do Comércio. 

Last week I was lucky enough to visit Dubrovnik with a stay at the Dubrovnik Palace Hotel, courtesy of Mason Rose. See below for my report on the city as a destination, and the site visit for the hotel:

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is located on the South coast of Croatia, across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, and is a very old and charming city, so much so it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The idyllic city feels like it should be in a Disney movie, surrounded by walls, between the mountains and sea, full of restaurants, cafes, shops, churches and museums.

The temperature in May was in the mid-20’s, while June/July/August (peak season) is even hotter, and the flight is roughly 2 hours and 20 minutes from the UK, and the city is 1 hour ahead of the UK. Croatia is currently a member of the EU (easy for travelling) but not currently in the Euro, instead they use the Croatian Kuna (HRK), which currently works out very roughly to 10 HRK = 1 GBP. From a cost point of view the city is slightly cheaper than the UK, for instance a dinner for two with cocktails right by the harbour in the old city comes out cheaper than Pizza Express in the UK. In terms of costs the peak season is very busy and rates reflect this, but April/May and September/October could be ideal as rates are a little lower, the city is less crowded, and the weather is still very pleasant.

The airport is modern, and is about a 30 minute drive from the city, but frankly you don’t mind the drive as the view from the taxi is mountains and sea.

Most of the hotels are located outside the old city, but buses and taxis are frequent and cheap, so you can enjoy the perfect mix of a quiet hotel but within easy reach of the old city. I would say that Dubrovnik is close to what you would think of for a European city, in that there is history around every corner, and part of the fun is just mooching round soaking up the atmosphere, people-watching, sipping ice coffees and enjoying the Italian-ish cuisine (my favourite part!)

USP’s

• The old city
• The atmosphere
• The sea
• Competitive alternative to Italy or Spain

Hotel Dubrovnik Palace 

The Hotel Palace Dubrovnik is a large purpose-built hotel in the Lapad district of Dubrovnik, and is built onto a hill-side with the entire hotel enjoying sea-views. The hotel’s reception is based on the 9th floor, with meeting rooms above, while the bedrooms, restaurants, bars, swimming pools and private beach are located below. The hotel has a wealth of options of guests, including indoor and outdoor pools, and a private beach. There are three restaurants on-site, one serving Mediterranean a la carte, one serving world cuisine buffet, and the last serving a health-themed menu. The hotel is large and spacious, and on every floor an effort has been made to really maximise the sea view, which is stunning. The hotel faces the Croatian coastline and the Adriatic, with small islands, lighthouses, and ships going to and fro. The meeting space is light and airy, and is self-contained with a dedicated private entrance if required. The hotel can also offer a VIP private beach for private dinners, which would be amazing, and which have a discreet kitchen for timely food service.

The hotel is about a 45 minute walk from the old historic city centre of Dubrovnik, however the hotel is at one end of a bus line running directly to the city centre. Also the hotel has plenty of space for coaches and taxis for private groups and transfers.