Claris & Group (Claris)

Member Name: andrewv

Product:	Claris
Date:	30/09/01 (52 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good location, Excellent Service

Disadvantages: Price - but worth it

The Claris is a 5* deluxe hotel - & not at all 'stuck up', the doormen never batted an eyelid when we turned up in shorts and tatty T-shirts.
Staff are very professional and multi lingual. Public areas very swish and the whole hotel is centered round an internal courtyard/ atrium.
Rooms are very well appointed - although some are small for the money. One of the best bits is the rooftop area where you can sunbathe and dip in the (small) pool - this is very handy for getting away from the heat and the streets - it's not often that you get outdoor facilities like this in the centre of Barcelona.
The owner is an art collector and puts his collections on display for all to enjoy - the collection in the Claris is Egyptian and very interesting (it's actually listed in some guide books).
Location is hard to beat - just off the Paseig de Gracia and so most places can be walked to.
The hotel is part of a small group called Derby hotels. The others are cheaper and still have very good locations and set up.
I have also stayed at the Balmes, which also has a small pool and garden for guest use - again very handy.
The other hotels are Astoria, Gran Derby and Derby. Based on what I have experienced at the Claris and the Balmes - I would be prepared to use any of the others.

Andrew

Summary: