When a Hotel REALLY Wows You

Being in the luxury travel industry, it is actually rare that a hotel just really WOWs me. Don’t get me wrong, there are some very very WOW hotels in this world. I am not talking about the appointments, or the amenities or the restaurants. I am talking about a level of service that goes beyond knowing my name.

The Hotel Arts in Barcelona currently holds my ‘Most WOW Moment’ award. The hotel’s restaurant Arola is a beautiful sea of white with the only color being gorgeous purple orchids…everywhere. I asked the manager if she knew what the variety name was for that particular orchid – which she did not. By the time the evening was over, the manager brought me a picture of the orchid with the variety name. WOW. I was so thankful and impressed. See, I just got my first orchid, it hasn’t died yet, so I would love to see about getting this beautiful Purple Vanda orchid.

That is not all….the following day, after a long day of sightseeing, I was in my room getting ready for dinner when my doorbell rang. When I opened the door, standing there with THE most gorgeous bouquet of purple orchids was my maid. She had noticed the picture on my desk, mentioned it to the head of housekeeping and they felt like I should have a bouquet to enjoy in my room. WOW!! When has housekeeping ever noticed something and taken action to wow you? I was staying on the club level (once you have stayed on club, no other level will do!) They say that they want club level to be more personal, and they mean it!

That is not all….I went to the concierge to ask how I should get to Mercat de la Boqueria. ON the map, he showed me the route. IT wasn’t far, but not really walkable. He suggested the bus as you can pick it up just outside the hotel and it stops right at the market for 1 EUR. The concierge is on the 30^th floor or something like that….he walked me to the elevator, got on, walked out of the hotel with me, down the street to the bus, helped me onto the bus, then (in Spanish of course) he told the bus driver where I needed to get off. WOW!!!

Seriously! I have never had such distinct service experiences at a hotel. And of course beautiful flowers will make any girl go WOW.

Cruces de España

In looking through the pictures from my recent trip to Spain, I noticed an inordinate amount of crosses. Of course there are churches everywhere - as in any European country. I visited Madrid, Toledo, Acala de Henares, Barcelona & Tarragona. The following is a sampleing from these beautiful cities and villages.

Pumpkin Cappucino with Porcini Air

Pumpkin Cappucino with Porcini Air makes the perfect fall appetizer! I am just back from a few nights at the Hotel Arts in Barcelona, where we were treated to a fantastic time in the kitchen with Sergi Arola, the two Michelin star chef of the Hotel Arts. We ate and ate and ate! But the Pumpkin Cappucino with Porcini air was the clear standout for me! Absolutely amazing!! I boldly asked if I could feature his recipe here for you! And so, make, share, enjoy!

Pumpkin Soup

- 1 kg peeled and seedles pumpkin

- 50 gr finely chopped onion

- 1 minced garlic clove

- 4 tbsp Extra virgen olive oil

- 2 pieces cayenes “guindilla”

- 250 ml heavy cream

- ½ tsp Nutmeg

- 100 ml tangerine juice

- 100 ml carrot juice

- salt and pepper

Procedure:

• Sauté, onions, garlic, cayenes and pumpkin. Bring vegetables until golden brown.
• Deglaze the pan with carrot juice and targerine juice.
• Bring it to a boil and add heavy cream and seasoning. (Bay leaf) optional.
• Blend the soup and strain.
• You can adjust the consistency adding more vegetable stock.

Porcini Air

- ½ kg porcini mushroom

- 2 pieces minced shallots

- 1 mined garlic clove

- 250 ml vegetable stock

- thyme and rosemary

- salt and pepper

Procedure:

• Sauté the mushrooms with shallots and garlic. Deglaze with vegetable stock and add thyme and rosemary.
• Let infused the vegetable stock with the mushroom for 2 hours.
• Blend and strain.
• Put 10 grms of soy lecitine powder per 1 lt of stock. Use a small turmix to enhance the mix. Let it rest and take the air to put on top of the soup.

• 

Sergi with his staff. Fantastic chef with a vibrant kitchen. To reserve the chef's table and experience this first hand....give me a call!