Alexandra Curio Barcelona review: free upgrade to suite

The Curio sign in the Hilton family indicates hotels that offer a highly curated and personalized experience are generally (almost) never large facilities.

In this case we are in the heart of Barcelona within walking distance of La Rambla and the iconic sites of Catalonia's capital city, but far enough away from noisy places that might disturb guests' peace and quiet.

Reservation

The best way is to book directly, via app or website, so you get all the benefits provided by status in the Hilton Honors program. The Gold level, included free of charge in the American Express Platinum give away breakfast for two at all Hilton properties worldwide, at this hotel means save about 35 euros per night If you stay as a couple.

I have the Diamond level and, in addition to the free breakfast, I was also emailed the news that I would receive a free upgrade. This new system of giving all Gold and Diamond members the upgrades is very practical, since the notice arrives a couple of days before arrival at the hotel.

Whenever possible and if there is not a big price difference, I always book an X2 Points fare. This allows you to double, net of any other promotion, the amount of points you normally accumulate. In this booking, for example, I was able to accumulate a total of 7,307 points HHonors against an expenditure of 129€. In this case the difference was 11€, a small expense that allowed me to accumulate 1,269 more HH points.

To better understand its value, let's take an example: with a little more than double the points obtained from this stay you can sleep for free at the DoubleTree in Milan or to Phuket.

Check-in and room

I arrived in the evening, having just landed from the last leg of my first miles run in 2022.

The lobby was deserted, while some guests were in the bar that occupies part of the ground floor of the hotel. Paperwork procedures done very quickly and less than 3 minutes later I was in the room.

When I received the upgrade notification, I did not go to browse what room I had been assigned, so when the receptionist informed me that I would be staying in one of the hotel suites, I was very pleased.

The Sense Suite is located on the second floor, the same as the small gym. In fact, the second floor is dedicated to Hilton Honors clients. Which is reminded at each door with the appropriate plaque.

The room is very nice and tastefully decorated. In the center is, of course, the king-size bed. Normally a suite is defined as a room consisting of at least two rooms, a sitting room and then the actual bedroom. Let's say this could be (perhaps) a junior suite. Also because the cost is more than double that of a standard room.

Considering that this was a free upgrade, I don't feel like nitpicking about it.

The room has a terrace overlooking the street, it is not too noisy but still if you are a light sleeper the cars and all other noises can be heard quite a bit, also because the windows are not the best in soundproofing.

Very nice idea of dividing and hiding the bathroom behind the bed.

In fact to the right is a small bathroom with only a sink and toilet.

On the opposite side, however, is the bathroom with a sink and, behind a sliding door, an immense walk-in shower and a whirlpool tub.

In front of the bed is a comfortable sofa where you can relax post sightseeing tour in the city. 

You can't miss a big TV and all the rest of the classic offerings of Hilton hotels in this category.

Of note is the Marshall bluetooth speaker, which is really of very good quality.

Services

It is a boutique hotel that offers everything, and perhaps more, at a price that is also competitive with other Hiltons in town.

The gym is more of a fitness room with only three pieces of equipment, which are quite dated.

However, there is a small sauna and it is open H24.

On the second floor of the hotel is a patio perfect for relaxing after a busy day out and about in the city, and before jumping into the Catalan night you can cool off in the pool.

Pool that is accessible year-round, although it is not heated. It is located on the roof, but does not get much light since it is surrounded by very tall buildings.

Food & Beverages

The hotel has a restaurant on the second floor, which offers breakfast in the morning.

Perhaps breakfast was the least appropriate for the hotel's category and membership in the Hilton chain. Also considering the extra charge that is charged for a reservation that includes breakfast. In my case it was free, however, these are things that carry weight in a final evaluation of the offer.

The room is not very large, so I have no idea how it can hold up with high hotel occupancy.

The offer is a buffet, but it must be admitted, it is a very poor proposal. In some Curio's I happened to find not a buffet, but an a la carte menu where I could choose from a few proposals. A solution that I appreciate especially when it results in a higher quality of the offer. Here, on the other hand, there is a small buffet, everything is selfservice except for hot drinks that can be ordered from the staff. The room is dark and gloomy, not at all inviting.

Then on the ground floor there is a taperia, a bar where you can have something to eat and is open to everyone, even non-hotel guests.

In conclusion

The hotel is in the heart of Barcelona, the Hilton guarantee allows you to sleep soundly on a top-of-the-line mattress (and topper). I have no idea if the breakfast is low profile because of the pandemic or if it has always been that way.

In any case, given that it is often very cheaper than the other hotels in the group in the city, is definitely a good choice if you are loyal to Hilton Honors.

This is just one of many reviews you can read on our site, covid and restrictions permitting. Every Wednesday we publish a review of a lounge airport, while every Friday you can read the review of one of our flights or a hotel where we stayed.

• Hilton Honors