InterContinental Barcelona by IHG — Hotel in Barcelona

We arrived very early, around 9 a.m., after our NCL cruise from Le Havre. We were warmly welcomed, and a room was ready, but it was not the upgraded one, a King Classic with sofa bed(pricewise a bit higher) that I had received on-line. We were given Room #630, a King Classic with minimal view. We could see some of Sagrada Familia in the distance, but otherwise, it was just the local neighborhood. I am not really complaining since we did get a room so that we could nap and prepare for our 4 days in Barcelona. We had a king bed with sectioned sofa. The room was decent size and very clean. Each day I would let the front desk know when we were leaving, and the room was cleaned each time! On the last full day, our big towels weren't restocked, but we were only gone for about an hour so we may have interrupted the schedule. I mentioned this in the Club Lounge, and the towels were restocked while we were there. Upon entry into the room, there was a second door just past the bathroom on the left. It could be confusing when going there in the middle of the night, but I didn't walk out in the hall by mistake or at the next hotel where there was no additional door! The bathroom had separate tub and shower plus the sink and a separate area with the toilet & bidet. The room had several closets, one of which had a safe. There was the aforementioned sectional sofa with coffee table in front plus a desk with minibar and coffee station. There were also drawers, and one closet had an iron and ironing board. My only issues with the room were 1) the pillows were too soft (but we probably could have requested firmer ones, 2) the mattress seemed to be memory foam and really sank on the edges so I almost fell out of bed one night, 3) there was noise from the outside even though we were on the top floor (not counting the roof deck/pool)-we could hear festival music, kids playing at school nearby, and occasional street noise). We ate breakfast each morning in the lounge and had attentive table service plus a buffet. We usually like to try the main restaurant as well but were told there would be an additional charge (even though I receive complimentary breakfast for my IHG Diamond status) for menu items (omelets, Eggs Benedict, waffles, etc.). In the Club Lounge, these were included. The Club Lounge buffet was limited but had scrambled eggs, bacon, and other hot items as well as pastries, cheeses, cold cuts, and many jams. We got a good breakfast each morning, although some of the daily chef specials were odd. We had lots of water, juice (I got bottle of tomato juice on the lounge drink bar each morning), plus coffee or tea, either from the staff or the coffee station with more varieties. I would like to have seen if there were a bigger variety of buffet items in the main restaurant but didn't. The Club Lounge happy hour was from 15h(3 p.m.) to 17h(5 p.m.) with cold items and pastries and then from 17h(5 p.m.) to 19h(7 p.m.), there were 2 hot items each day. In my opinion, the food could have been better. It was mostly bland, meatless items! We still were able to make an evening snack/meal so that we could avoid eating out each evening and save some money. Besides the very satisfying breakfast each morning, we would have a late lunch at a local restaurant to fill us up. All happy hour items were removed at 19h or very soon after. Light snacks and mints were available at all times as was surprisingly, liquor, mixers, beer, wine, champagne so one could drink a gin & tonic from open to close? Check-out went smoothly and there was no bill since I had used points (4th night free) for this stay. Taxis were available at the front every time we passed, and we arrived in one from the port plus took one to the airport to fly to our next destination, Germany. Prices seemed to be fair. I did have one major issue with the hotel itself about the number of smokers standing just outside the front door. It was impossible to avoid the second-hand smoke and nasty ashtray smell. There should be a separate area at least 20m from the door. In conclusion, this was a very good hotel. I was a bit concerned at first about the location, but it was actually nice to be away from the touristy area of Las Ramblas. We walked one day to the port on Avinguda del Parel-lel, then to the top of Las Ramblas, and then back to the hotel via Plaça d'Espanya. It was about 7 km/4 miles, but we got to see many things. Sagrada Familia was too far for us to walk. When/if we return to Barcelona, this will be our 1st choice. The staff, especially those in the Club Lounge and at the front desk, went above and beyond. Please accept my issues as constructive feedback. I just always to try to point out the pluses and minuses. I will also post several...

It started out nicely with a very attentive front desk officer (Marlita??) that was really helpful on explaining the perks of being an ambassador platinum elite member at the premises. but after that, the service started to show cracks in comparison with other Intercontinental establishment. ||||first was very small item. Everytime i call a front office or housekeeping, they somehow couldnt see which room is calling or who is calling. In other Intercontinental establishment, you'd be greeted with your name promptly, this is just not happening. so i have to keep on mentioning either my name or room number. but this is just a small improvement topics. ||||because of the upgrade misunderstanding, the front desk gave me an access to the lounge, of which i appreciate a lot. however the lounge looked so damp and dark, devoid of any sunlight, so we decided to have breakfast at the main restaurant. ||||the waiters at the restaurant during breakfast was great, however the person that manned the egg station needs a training. on both account of our breakfast, he got our eggs wrong. first was missing ham on "ham and cheese", second was missing the definition of sunny side up (the egg that came was more of a cloudy egg instead of sunny). ||||but the icing of the cake for the reason of low rating was on our last day, due to the poor attitude of a concierge by the name of Juan. We were looking for a special brand of olive oil, that somehow we couldnt find at supermarket nearby, then i found it on ubermarket, so i quickly ordered it and have it delivered. I was about to explain the situation to the concierge since we also need to be somewhere else, whether he can accept the package on our behalf, and the thing that strike me the most of the manner he dismissed my request rightaway in a very rude manner. He didnt even bother to look me in the eye. To make matter worse, he was so kind and friendly just before answering to other guests query. the difference was so palpable that i have to conclude some underlying discriminatory reasons was there on his part. Something that i trully cannot accept. ||||then, during check out, i was handled by a trainee by the name of Alex (?), was handlilng my check out. during the process, he casually asked about my stay, of which i started by trying to give a point of suggestions on certain aspect. I started out by mentioning the small things about calling front desk and housekeeping. What startled me the most was his response. He rightaway dismissed my experience, arguing that that is not supposed to be the case. When i called out his attitude by saying that was very dismissive, he retorded to an excuse of being a trainee (manner should not be an excuse of whether you are a trainee or not). the exchange was so unpleasant i had to ask for someone else to take over the check out, of which a very nice lady took over, and everything was ok with her. After the check out formality, we had a conversation, that i raised my experience with Juan and Alex, of which she explained that should not happened and i was being promised that i will get an update. up until now, no update was being given to me.||||||the hotel has good hard components (nice bedroom, incredible and amazing spa), but for me, the soft side of it is far more important. and the behavior of these two gentlemen left a very bad taste. but reading some of reply for "constructive feedback" here, i hope i receive a better update or feedback, be it here or via my private email. More than just the standard template, "We apologize that your recent stay did not meet expectations. We appreciate your comments and will share these with our team so that we can continue to improve our services. We do hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future, so that we can provide a better...

Great second stay at InterContinental Barcelona. We were warmly greeted upon arrival. The lobby is beautiful with a gorgeous eye catching display of flowers.

Checked in at the reception desk but as I have annual lounge membership the staff whisked us to the Club InterContinental lounge where we enjoyed two glasses of Veuve Clicquot champagne whilst being checked in. Wonderful check in experience staff were so friendly the check in process was quick and efficient, we were made to feel so special.

Excellent room was upgraded to a higher floor King classic with City view. Tastefully decorated, spacious and well equipped. Comfortable bed, with linen that was so dreamy with high quality duvet and pillows. Great clean bathroom included a walk in shower and bath, toiletries were by Byredo. The air conditioning worked perfectly.

One of the best Club InterContinental Lounges this lounge adds an extra touch of luxury offering complimentary beverages and food. Service in the Club lounge was very attentive and friendly.

We used the Spa in the hotel the facilities were outstanding and everything was so clean. The staff were exceptional, very friendly and helpful, a perfect way to relax a blissful experience.

173 Rooftop Terrace is great, offers a stunning views you are able to see the whole of Barcelona. We enjoyed our drinks and food at rooftop bar, excellent service and atmosphere. The rooftop swimming pool is a massive bonus a lovely refreshing pool and lounging area. We were really content spending time by the pool but you have to be quick for the lounger’s, the only slight let down was the pool area is rather small and we couldn't get any sun lounges both times we popped up for a swim. A few more sun loungers or bean bags would benefit. There was 2 exclusive areas which I believe the hotel sells experiences for a premium day at the pool with a balinese bed, but during our stay these areas were left empty frustratingly we had to sunbathe on the wooden pool surround. Must mention it’s perfect for sunbathing on the roof as a it’s a sun trap.

Breakfast at Arrel Restaurant was below average. The coffee service throughout breakfast was slow, it took a few attempts to get a second coffee also no orange juice refills offered. I requested a very well cooked omelette but I was not pleased when the omelette made to order was served floating in raw egg liquid on the plate, never seen such a shockingly bad omelette. I complained to the waiter and he said he would send another well cooked omelette out, to which when my second omelette arrived cutting into it raw egg oozed out under cooked again. Probably the worst two omelette’s that I ever have had. This experience ruined...