Two Excellent Hotel Choices In The Hearts Of Barcelona & Rome

On a recent trip that included a four-night Costa Cruises journey from Barcelona to Rome, I had the opportunity to stay in two centrally-located hotels in the hearts of those fine cities. While very different, both would make an excellent choice for your clients seeking to explore two iconic urban areas.

Arriving by taxi from BCN on my first international trip since the beginning of the pandemic, it was a bit of a shock to see tens of thousands of people assembled in Plaça de Catalunya, a huge square considered the heart of the city and where Barcelona's old city and the 19^th-century Eixample (Expansion District) meet.

Turns out it was Catalunya National Day, a public holiday that was part celebration and part protest. The Olivia Plaza Hotel was right in the centre of the action and steps from La Rambla, the 1.2 km, tree-lined pedestrian street that connects the square with the city's port area. The Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca described La Rambla as "the only street in the world which I wish would never end."

My comfortable, modern room looked out on the square, but was surprisingly well-insulated from the noise. It featured a spacious bathroom with waterfall shower, a seating area by the window and a very comfortable bed. Reading lights and accessible power connections added to the comfort.

The optional breakfast included a small buffet of meats, breads, cheeses and more, along with fresh-squeezed orange juice and self-serve Nespresso machines. Dishes could also be ordered a la carte. Guests can sit on a placid terrace behind the hotel that seemed miles from the thongs of locals and tourists out front.

The hotel is also home to the Nineteen Restaurant, which is very well-reviewed and was completely booked during my two-night stay.

A bus and train hub was directly in front of the hotel, making transport simple, although many important Barcelona attractions were within walking distance, including Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia, about a half-hour away on foot.

Located close by Termini Roma, the city's major train station, and a short walk from the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and other attractions, the Hotel Quirinale was built in 1865 along with the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma - Rome's Opera House - which you can actually enter through the hotel.

It's a charming, atmospheric place, with Imperial style furniture and antique decorations in all public and private rooms. My room was spacious and elegant, with high ceilings, period furnishings, tea and coffee supplies and a large bathroom with marble floors and waterfall shower. With 209 rooms, the property is much larger than it appears from outside, and the antique paintings and décor in the halls and stairwells make you feel like you've stepped back in time.

Despite my short stay and early morning departure, the Quirinale Hotel is one of those places that will live on in my memory for years to come. It would make a terrific base for a few days for your clients exploring the Eternal City.