|
City Focus- Barcelona
 Sagrada Familia In a privileged position on the northeastern coast of the Iberian peninsula and the shores of the Mediterranean, Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain in both size and population. It is also the capital of Catalonia, 1 of the 17 Autonomous Communities that make up Spain.
There are two official languages spoken in Barcelona: Catalan, generally spoken in all of Catalonia, and Castillian Spanish. The city of Barcelona has a population of 1.510.000, but this number spirals to more than 4.000.000 if the outlying areas are also included.
The capital of Catalonia is unequivocally a Mediterranean city, not only because of its geographic location but also and above all because of its history, tradition and cultural influences. The documented history of the city dates back to the founding of a Roman colony on its soil in the second century B.C. Modern Barcelona experienced spectacular growth and economic revival at the onset of industrialization during the second half of the 19th century. The 1888 World's Fair became a symbol of the capacity for hard work and the international outlook projected by the city. Culture and the arts flourished in Barcelona and in all of Catalonia; the splendor achieved by Catalonian modernism is one of the most patent displays.
Barcelona, more than just a single city, is really a collection of multi-faceted and diverse cities. The visitor unfamiliar with its history might be surprised that such a modern and enterprising city preserves its historic Gothic center almost intact, or by the curious contrast between the maze of narrow streets and the grid-like layout of the Eixample, the urban planning "Enlargement" project of the end of the 19th century.
With such a huge variety of thing to see and do, it's no wonder why Barcelona City Breaks are so popular. Fabulous architecture, brilliant Spanish cuisine, flamboyant culture and wonderful weather combine to make Barcelona a truly magnificent city. Barcelona is easily accessible from anywhere in Europe with excellent air and rail links. You could be strolling down the winding streets and soaking up the bustling atmosphere on a weekend break in Barcelona in no time.
The Apartment Service offers a large number of serviced apartments for stays of one night or more in the centre of Barcelona. For more information please visit our Barcelona page. -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
To ALL our apartment managers: If you want your apartments to feature in one of the next issues of our news letter, please email Bard Vos to discuss the terms and conditions.
..................................................................................................................................................
For more information and availability on any apartments please call reservations +44 (0)20 8944 1444 or visit our website.
*********************************************************************************************************************
News in March:
EUROPE
* The Apartment Service has had a very successful Business Travel Show which was held in Earls Court Olympia from the 5th-7th February with a record number of corporate clients visiting our stand. It has become clear that corporate buyers are beginning to acknowledge the full benefits of serviced apartments as a viable short term accommodation option. They are starting to add serviced apartments to their corporate hotel program and The Apartment Service is playing a leading role in this. This role will become even stronger with the launch of our new web service in a few months time, with an enhanced online booking facility.
* Scottish Apartments, the largest provider of serviced apartments in Scotland has seen a rapid growth over the past year. The company now offers more than 200 serviced apartments in Edinburgh, including the latest addition in Canning Street. For more information, please visit our Edinburgh page.
USA/CANADA
* Bridgestreet Worldwide has been awarded a "Tower of Excellence Award" by the CHPA for Large Provider of the Year, individual member, at the recently held awards ceremony during the annual CHPA conference, in Las Vegas.
MISCELLANEOUS
It is becoming more and more expensive to rent (serviced) apartments in the world and the latest survey done by Forbes Magazine has come up with the following top 10 of most expensive places to live:
1. Hong Kong ($6398 per month)
2. Tokyo ($4102 per month)
3. Moscow ($4000 per month)
4. New York ($4000 per month)
5. London ($3889 per month)
6. Seoul ($3425 per month)
7. Geneva ($2840 per month)
8. Beijing ($2840 per month)
9. Paris ($2634 per month)
10. Osaka ($2564 per month)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AND FINALLY (nothing to do with serviced apartments but quite amusing...)
Themed cruises range from nude to Norwegian
Seatrek, a Star Trek-themed cruise, and SlayerCruise for television's "Buffy the Vampire" fans, set sail for the last time in 2007 but there's no shortage of unusual themed cruises being offered again this year. For example:
Ø Fans of Norwegian food, scenery and music can combine their passions on Hurtigruten's "Gastronomy in a Musical Framework" cruise, which promises to explore Norwegian culture while passing through the North Cape, the Lofoten Islands and, of course, fjords.
Ø The same line offers the Norwegian National Costume Cruise. On this seven-day excursion, cruisers meet experts on Norwegian folklore and soak up historical lectures under the long summer sun. Local folk crafts and costumes will be on display at the various ports of call.
Ø For pure decadence, chocolate-lovers can indulge for a week or two aboard one of two Regent Seven Seas vessels, which set sail from Ft. Lauderdale to the Eastern Caribbean and from Rio de Janeiro to Ft. Lauderdale. On board the Seven Seas Voyager and the Seven Seas Navigator, passengers can sample fine Valrhona concoctions on a ship packed with cocoa bean experts and pastry chefs.
Ø Geek Cruises offer "Chess Moves," which includes tournaments and classes on topics such as "The Art of the Exchange Sacrifice."
Ø Even nudists can have their day in the sun. Bare Necessities has chartered ships for clothing-optional outings since 1991, and the naked truth is—they're incredibly popular, according to cruise line officials.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Client Survey:
Just 1 minute of your time will help us better understand your requirements. Please complete the survey here: Survey
...............................................................................................................................................
Executive Roomspace/Roomspace Serviced Apartments Availability Update:
The newest locations for Roomspace Serviced Apartments..........
Watling Street, London EC4
A newly refurbished development with one - and two bedroom apartments, in a great location with shops and restaurants just a stone´s throw away. The nearest underground station is Mansion House, 2 minutes walk for the Circle and District Lines, or Bank to gain access to the Central Line.
These apartments are available now. Rates start from £880 per week.
Also available as from now:
Sterling House
A selection of one bedroom apartments in Holborn, close to Chancery Lane underground station, on the edge of the West end and the City of London. Fantastically located and at a great price: £950 per apartment per week
All apartments are fully furnished and equipped to the highest standards with all modern conveniences. The rate quoted includes all utility bills, apart from telephone calls. A once a week cleaning service is included.
To enquire about these, or any of the other apartments offered by The Apartment Service, please phone our reservations team on 020-89441444 , or send us an email. Or you can visit our website.
Roomspace Serviced Apartments, minimum stay: 7 nights, offers the following locations for your accommodation needs: Birmingham, Brighton, Croydon, Epsom, Farnborough, Guildford, Leatherhead, London City, London Docklands, Southampton, Wimbledon.
We have special March availability in the following locations:
Groveland House - The City (London): studio apartments from £790 per week and one bedroom apartments from £880 per week
Executive Roomspace, with minimum stays of 1 month is available in a wide selection of locations. For February we do have availability in Minster Court in Reading (One bedroom apartments from £575 per week and two bedroom apartments from £675 per week). More information on them can be found on our website www.roomspace.com.
All rates quoted are per apartment per week and inclusive of all bills (excluding telephone and VAT) and a weekly service clean. And of course, all our apartments are fully furnished and equipped to the highest standard.
Please call +44 (0) 20 8944 1444 for more information or send an email to Tracy Barlow, Reservations Manager.
............................................................................................................................................
Feedback:
We hope you enjoy this newsletter. Please send your feedback to tasnews@apartment.co.uk
...............................................................................................................................................
Contact:
Bard Vos - Marketing
The Apartment Service,
5-6 Francis Grove,
London, SW19 4DT
Tel. +44 (0)20 8947 3003 (Marketing)
Tel. +44 (0)20 8944 1444 Fax.+44 (0) 208 944 6744 (Reservations)
If you do not wish to receive future Apartment Service Newsletters, you can unsubscribe from our mailing list using the Safe Unsubscribe option at the end of this e-mail.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Members of:
 The Corporate Housing Providers Association
 |
