MADRID AND BARCELONA, SPAIN, (August 28, 2006) – The 245-room Rafaelhoteles Atocha in Madrid and the new 126-room Rafaelhoteles Casanova in Barcelona are offering a first ever “Heavenly Holidays Package” with savings of up to 70% off of room rates from December 21, 2006 to January 14, 2007. Packages include different features ranging from gourmet Christmas lunches in Madrid, welcome gifts and wine on arrival, complimentary visitor cards for the best city-wide museums, galleries, attractions; and roundtrip fast train to Toledo to New Years Eve parties in Madrid and Barcelona’s hottest restaurants. The special offer is for 3 or more nights and starts at 304 Euro (approx. US$388) in Barcelona and 480 Euro (approx. US$613) in Madrid (three nights based on two people). Second rooms for children are available at a discounted price of 30% off package prices at Rafaelhoteles Atocha and 25% off at Rafaelhoteles Casanova (child rates are based on children aged under 16 at Atocha and under 12 at Casanova). Rates are exclusive of 7% tax. For reservations contact tel: 011 34 902 100 105 or visit www.rafaelhoteles.com.
In Madrid, the offer is a reduced room rate, which can be combined with any of five holiday options. For instance, a three night Christmas holiday for two people costs 480 Euro (approx. US$613), which includes accommodation, buffet breakfast daily, Christmas lunch, gift, one Madrid Card* per person for one day, and round trip airport transfers. This represents a room savings of 65%. For the best value and most features, travelers stay seven nights over Christmas and New Year’s, which includes accommodation, buffet breakfast daily, Christmas lunch, New Year’s Eve dinner and party in a choice among leading restaurants, roundtrip fast train ticket to Toledo, Madrid Card for two for one day, gift and roundtrip airport transfers. This is priced at 1288 Euros (approx US$1644) for two. This represents a room savings of 70%.
*The Madrid Card allows holders the following benefits: access to the major cultural sites in Madrid, with free entry to over 40 major museums; unlimited travel on the Madrid Vision tour bus; access to the Madrid Funfair, Madrid Zoo and Aquarium; Cable Railway, Faunia and Imax; Bernabeu Tour; discounts at city stores, restaurants and leisure facilities within Madrid.
In Barcelona, the holiday packages are themed and lead in at 304 Euro (approx. $388) for two people, for the ‘Barcelona Discovery’ package inclusive of 3 nights in a superior room; daily buffet breakfast; a welcome bottle of Catalan wine on arrival; two, one-day tickets on the Tourist Bus with discounted entrance valid in over 50 locations plus Aquarium entrance plus late check-out. The ‘Barcelona Cosmopolitan New Year’ package costs 500 Euro (approx $638) for two people and includes 3 nights in a superior room; daily buffet breakfast; welcome bottle of Catalan wine on arrival; New Years Dinner and Welcome 2007 party at the prestigious TRIBECA restaurant; two, one-day tickets on the Tourist Bus with discounted entrance valid in over 50 locations plus Aquarium entrance plus late check-out. A similar ‘Christmas Art & Gastronomy’ package, comprising 3-nights at the property, costs 400 Euro (approx $511) for two people, per night.
The Rafaelhoteles Atocha, Madrid is located in the center of Madrid within walking distance of the ‘Cultural Mile’ offering the Prado Museum, the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofia Art Center. Rooms are appointed with the latest technologies and guests have full access to its fitness center, A la Carte restaurant, lobby bar and room service.
The Rafaelhoteles Casanova, Barcelona is located in the heart of Barcelona, close to the city’s many shopping areas, galleries, parks and sights of interest. The plush new property affords guests the use of its lobby bar, A la Carte restaurant and wireless facilities throughout.
Two of Europe’s world-famous Christmas Markets are in Barcelona and Madrid. Barcelona’s Gothic quarter has the market of Santa Lucia, where handicrafts, gifts and the traditional Spanish Christmas candy, ‘Turron’ is on sale. Guests who visit on December 28th can witness Spain’s ‘Innocent Saints Day’, the Spanish version of April Fool’s Day, when the streets are full of music, artists and entertainment. Madrid’s legendary Christmas Market, held in the Plaza Mayor, opens from November 28th. The market sells everything from Christmas trees, crafts and novelties to decorations and festive provisions. The long awaited Winter Sales in Spain start on 1st January, with major discounts to be found. Spanish holidays are longer than in the US and continue up until January 6th, when the Three Wise Men arrive in towns and cities across Spain, laden with gifts for those who have been good during the year.
