Author: Bob Cartwright
Britains Independent newspaper has reviewed the Casanova Hotel in Barcelona, pointing out that there is a good reason for its terrible name - the hotel sits on the junction of the Gran Via de les Corts and Carrer Casanova.
The location means that, while not in the very centre of the city, it is within walking distance of Placa Catalunya and La Rambla. The review says the hotel seems to be the location of choice for the style-savvy, saying: "Once inside this 19th Century limestone townhouse, guests are greeted by a row of church candles arranged like organ pipes, their soft glow setting the mood. "
"The reception", it adds, "is discreetly tucked to one side, leaving the rest of the large opem space for low-slung crushed-velvet sofas. But it's the neon- lit bar that is the main draw....at weekends, Barcelona's bright young things venture here to be entertained by local DJs."
The review praises the hotel's Mexiterranee Restaurant which, as its name suggests, serves Mexican-Mediterranean fusion dishes. The small Stone Spa is also enjoyeded.<p>
The reviewer, Helen Georghiou, says her junior suite was flooded with natural sunlight and while the view was "nothing to write home about", the lounge, bedroom and bathroom all interconnected and were decked out in natural hues, with wooden flooring and retro-modern furnishings. The bed was immense. Smaller rooms feature the same decor but do not have a lounge.
Standard doubles start at €137 (£114) and junior suites at €260 (£217). The closest metro is Universitat on the red line.