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Home » Spain Hotels

Spain Hotels

A Tale Of Two Cities: Madrid and Toledo.

December 19, 2019 by Conference Desk

We were lucky enough to be invited away recently on a trip to Spain. Naturally, we wouldn’t dare turn down such a generous offer, or pass up on a chance to escape the office for a couple of days! So, a few weeks ago I found myself headed up to London, preparing to jet off and visit a part of one of my favourite countries that I had never been to before.



Arrival

After touching down in Madrid, I was quickly whisked away for a short, but comfortable ride to the hotel. I would be both inspecting and staying in for the next two nights, the stunning, Eurostars Madrid Tower. Although it was dark by the time I had landed, it was still easy to appreciate just how impressive a building the Madrid Tower is. The first thirty floors of the tower are operated by Eurostars, and during the day they grant guests some stunning views.

Introductions were made and dinner was served. We dined later then we are used to back in Britain, but one must always adhere to the customs of the country one visits! The menu was comprised of both classic Spanish and local dishes. My hosts were overly generous with the wine, causing my memory of the food to be rather foggy, with one marvellous exception. Carrot Cake is not usually my first choice for a dessert, but when served with the deliciously decadent, passionfruit twist that was our meals finale, it’s fair to say I have converted!


A Trip to Toledo

Thanks to a rather jam-packed itinerary for the next two days it was an early breakfast before setting off for Toledo. I was equally as curious to visit this stunning fortress-city as I was to visit Madrid itself. A fairly acceptable drive of about 40 minutes was all it took to put the capital behind us and bring us to Toledo’s stunning cityscape. I’d never seen an image of Toledo before we stopped off at the historic city gate. As a former Citadel, much of the interior layout to the old-town is still preserved, although the once thick curtain-walls are now broken in some sections.

Toledo is protected by the Tagus river on all sides. It’s an impressive natural defence but also a beautiful landscape feature. The view from the surrounding hills across the Tagus of the city is simply magnificent. The most beautiful landmark in a city filled with them has to be the cathedral at its heart. A stunning assembly of baroque and neo-gothic architecture. Filled with frescos, gold, and other precious objects that catch the eye as you wander around the cathedral’s vast expanse. I could have wandered around the cathedral, and indeed, most of the city itself for days. But, duty called, and after a brief tour of the local Eurostars site, it was back to Madrid.


An Evening of Entertainment

Following another brief tour of another property, and a very quick shower, the evening’s entertainment could now take centre stage. We were taken to a quiet street, just across from the cities cathedral, and entered one of the most packed restaurants I’ve ever been to. A legion of smartly clad serving staff attended the few hundred diners who occupied almost every inch of floor space. A podium took up one small corner of the restaurant, the stage as of yet, unoccupied. Soon, after gorging ourselves almost into a stupour the clock struck ten, and the real reason we had arrived at this establishment became obvious.

The Flamenco is one of the most passionate, intense, and fierce performances in dance that the eyes can witness. The crash of every step. The echo of every chord and note. It is both visually and audibly intoxicating to watch. I found myself in awe of the performers, both the musicians and the dancers. It is easy, in our mostly digital world we now occupy, to forget the power of a live performance. Our most-kind and generous hosts had provided a surprise well worth the journey.


More Of Madrid

We departed the restaurant for the more relaxed and less crowded environment of the Madrid Tower. A few drinks and friendly chats were had but there was nothing that could possibly top the earlier performance. We retired once again quite early, for we knew that although the next day was our last, we still had much todo. Another early start saw us take a walking tour of the city centre of Madrid. Our Tour guide was a chap named Sean, one-half Irish, the other Spanish. I can safely say he was the best tour guide I’ve ever had. The tour was slightly hurried, given our busy schedule, but Sean provided more than an insight into the history of the city.

Sadly, we left the beating heart of Madrid and ventured back to the tower. They really had saved the best until last with our final site inspection. The hotel boasts some truly first class meeting and breakout rooms. They have good reason to be proud of their property. It is no wonder why it remains so popular with everyone from foreign dignitaries to the giants of football. Liverpool FC stayed at the Madrid Tower during last years Champions League final in Madrid. I’m told any team who spends the night in the property before a match always wins the next day.


Departure

After a fantastic lunch, it was time to be on our way again. Despite having just over an hour until the flight home, I did have a nervous glance at my watch anticipating traffic en route to the airport. I needn’t have worried. The journey once again, lasted barely 20 minutes, and still left time to quickly browse duty-free! During the flight, I reflected on the last two days and all that I’d seen during my enjoyable, but brief stay. You can never spend enough time away on trips like these. But of course, the whole point of the trip was to leave me wanting more.

Our hosts were fantastic. The itinerary was put together in order to give us as much to see and do as possible. In that, it definitely delivered, as did our fantastic Eurostars hosts in showing off their properties. Both Madrid and Toledo have much to offer any visitors. For myself, I’ve found another part of Spain to love, and explore. Hopefully, I won’t be waiting too long to return there.

To read more about other destinations, check out our blog, or to view the Eurostars Madrid Tower click here.

Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: Conference, corporate travel, Incentive travel, Madrid, Spain, Spain Conferencing, Spain Hotels, Toledo, work trip

Hotel Focus: Asia Gardens

November 20, 2019 by Conference Desk

The typical trip to Benidorm is not one where the word “luxury” may spring to mind straight away. The towering skyscrapers and the sizeable number of apartment blocks that dominate its skyline are more reminiscent of Las Vegas then they are of a seaside city on the Costa Blanca. The famous Hotel Bali may look impressive thanks to its considerable size, but is this the place you would choose to go for immersing yourself in your surroundings, or for holding a conference? Fortunately, just a few short miles into the hills away from the Playa Levante, we find the hidden oasis of the Asia Gardens.


The Gateway to The Orient

Oasis is the exact term I would use to describe my first thought upon visiting this other-worldly hotel. Once you make it through the rather spectacular lobby and atrium the fun really begins when you see the start of the signature gardens. Bamboo trees line the perimeter of the entire hotel, conveniently shutting out any intrusive buildings, encasing you in a jungle-like environment. There is a vast network of connecting paths that take you through over 150,000 immaculately maintained shrubs and bushes. On your travels, you will constantly traverse alongside countless ponds and other water features. Shangri-La, as it turns out, does exist after all. But instead of the dense jungles of south-east Asia, you can find it on the Costa Blanca.


Business or Pleasure, The Asia Gardens can be enjoyed at your leisure.

It is fortunate that some of the larger ponds come with signs to advise you not to swim in them. Thankfully, the hotel boasts an impressive amount of pools. Seven larger ones, as well as a host of smaller ones used for treatments and adults only. Most of the pools are heated also which makes swimming outdoors available almost the entire year. The food as you may have also guessed is exquisite. Eight restaurants, offering not only traditional dishes from both the Orient and the Mediterranean, but also a wonderful assortment of gastro and fusion in other restaurants. Each dining area also presents a different environment and theme in which to gorge yourself senseless in.

The Spa at the Asia Gardens is also worth mentioning. I say mention. What I mean is it should be the first thing you incorporate into your trip itinerary. Every professional on the Asia Gardens Spa team has trained at the Wat Pho temple in Bangkok. Why such a big deal? It is one of the oldest in the city and considered the first University ever established in Thailand. Each professional on the team is a master of technical practice that has been passed down and taught for two and a half thousand years. I feel relaxed just writing about it. Booking in advance is mandatory as the demand for treatments is naturally very high!


More Than A Hotel: An Incentive For Experience.

The Asia Gardens is so much more than a hotel. It is one of the most perfect destinations for any kind of event or corporate trip. It offers considerable space, with over 300 Balinese style rooms for guests. The impressive conference and meeting room facilities can hold up to 800 delegates. The atmosphere is tranquil and intimate, yet open and engaging at the same time. The region around the hotel has plenty of options for exploration and travel with Alicante being a half-hour drive away, and the coastline up to Valencia is worthy of exploration. But on a short trip of two-three nights, you will struggle to fully explore all that Asia Gardens has to offer.

The Asia Gardens is a truly remarkable experience for any type of stay. The hotel has an uncanny ability to replicate the surroundings of its oriental inspiration. You will feel like you have been transported into another world during your stay there, and with its impressive facilities and staff (who I have not mentioned nearly enough but are all wonderfully accommodating and friendly). It is a sure-fire winner for any event or occasion.

For more Infomation about booking the Asia Gardens and to view Conference-desks rates and enquire about bookings, click here.

Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: Asia Gardens, Conference, conference-desk, corpor, corporate events, events, Hotels, Incentive travel, Spain Conferencing, Spain Hotels

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