Some excerpts from the website of Occidental Grand Aruba that might be useful
Cosmopolitan City Culture and Awe-inspiring Artistic Heritage. Have it all in Madrid! Old World charm meets modern day vitality in Madrid. The city offers an endless array of world-class museums, attractions,
restaurants and entertainment in addition to a simply sizzling nightlife scene. With Occidental Hotels Resorts, you can plan your next vacation down to the fine detail of selecting activities and excursions to experience throughout your stay. From pampering yourself at the Occidental Miguel ngel's world-class
spa to spending a leisurely afternoon at the Prado, your dream vacation is complete with Occidental.
Airport Madrid's Barajas
Airport is serviced by most major U.S. airlines and is situated just eight miles from the city
center and the Occidental Miguel ngel.
Taxis and the public bus system are readily available for the 20 minute
trip to the hotel. A new underground subway terminal was recently opened near the Miguel ngel making hotel/
airport transportation very convenient. Weather Situated in the
center of the Iberian Peninsula, Madrid features temperatures that vary throughout the year. The city enjoys a pleasant range of seasonal changes with temperatures ranging from 40° F in the winter months to 85° F in the summer. Shopping Whether haute couture or antique hunting is on the agenda, shopping in Madrid is hot. The Occidental Miguel ngel is situated in the Salamanca District, known as the golden mile for fashion. The quarter is home to prestigious fashion houses, specialty
shops, jewelers, antique sellers, bookstores and more - all conveniently within walking distance from the hotel.
Golf Courses The city of Madrid has a number of
golf courses available for spectacular year round play. Courses include: the City of Madrid Country
Club, an 18-hole, par 71 country course, the Olivar de La Hinojosa Country
Club, an 18-hole, par 72 urban course, the
Barberan Sports
Center with a 9-hole, par 36 course, and the RFEG (Spanish
Golf Federation) National
Center, a popular, 18-hole, par 72 public course opened in 2005 and conveniently located in the city. Also available is the Madrid Federation Training
Center just north of the city featuring a 9-hole, par 27 urban course as well as a practice area, training classes, and putting greens. Dining Entertainment Madrid's vibrant nightlife and expansive collection of
restaurants are an attraction in themselves. The city is flush with
pubs,
bars,
discos and flamenco clubs each with a unique and magnetic atmosphere. The Occidental Miguel ngel is home to celebrity chef Sergi Arola's culinary creations at La Broche, a Two-star Michelin-rated
restaurant featuring gourmet Spanish Mediterranean-inspired
cuisine. Culture With more than 73 museums and galleries covering everything from art and romance to military history, Madrid is Spain's cultural core. Guests can explore centuries of Spanish, Italian and Flemish painting and take in masterpieces by greats like El Greco, Goya and Rembrandt at the world-renowned Prado Museum. The city is also home to a wealth of ornate palaces and impressive monuments chronicling the country's richly diverse history as well as host to a number of pleasant parks, exhibitions and performances.
Business Madrid attracts international
business travelers from around the globe. It serves as a hub for finance, government and politics and can effortlessly accommodate tens of thousands of guests in its
conference and
meeting facilities. The Occidental Miguel ngel is conveniently situated in the city
center and equipped with 10 multi-functional
meeting spaces to serve any
meeting and
convention,
wedding, family reunion or group gathering needs. Prado Museum Indulge your artistic interests with an afternoon at the Prado Art Museum. The Prado houses one of Europe's most impressive collections featuring works by masters such as Velzquez, El Greco and Reubens. Located in the city
center, it is convenient to the Occidental Miguel ngel as well as the Reina Sofa National Art
Center and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Reina Sofa National Art
Center Home to Spain's expansive contemporary art collection, the Reina Sofia National Art
Center is an excellent museum featuring masters like Picasso, Salvador Dal, Joan Mir and others. The building itself was formerly a hospital and designated an Historic-Artistic monument in the late 70s. Teleferico Take in Madrid's expansive horizon above the treetops at Telefrico, a
cable car system located at Casa de Campo. The ride glides guests at a leisurely speed across 2.5 miles of Madrid's urban terrain, giving a memorable impression of this dynamic European city. Fascinating Cultural Attractions and the Mediterranean Beachfront. Have it all in Barcelona! With over 25 museums, the Olympic Village, a sparkling Mediterranean coast and historic district walking
tours, Barcelona fills guests' days and nights with endless possibilities.
Business tourism thrives here, too, where guests have excellent facilities and resources at their disposal. With Occidental Hotels Resorts, you can plan your next vacation down to the fine detail viewing activities and excursions to experience throughout your stay. From culinary adventures along Las Ramblas to visiting one of Gaud's architectural wonders to touring the site of the 1992 Olympic
Games, your dream vacation is complete with Occidental Hotels.
Airport Barcelona International
Airport is conveniently located 8 miles south of the city
center and is serviced by most major U.S. airlines. Public transportation such as the metro, bus or
taxis are plentiful, easy and efficient. A 30-45 minute ride can deliver guests from the
airport to most destinations. Guests may compare best available rates at time of booking to airline routes nonstop, direct and indirect schedules for major carriers serving the destination. Weather Claiming a beautiful 3-mile stretch of Mediterranean shore, Barcelona enjoys a warm, mild climate all year long. Because the winter months bring rain, January averages about 55?F and mid-summer months average a sunny, comfortable 77? F. Convenience to shopping First stop is Las Ramblas, a wide, tree-lined avenue where cars are prohibited and
shops and
restaurants abound. A few blocks away, the Passeig de Grcia offers a parade of high-end stores,
restaurants and people watching. On to La Boqueria, a beautiful, open-air market full of fresh produce, food stalls and local ambiance. Attractions In the heart of the downtown, Las Ramblas ultimately heads directly south to the historic harbor, Port Vell. To the west, the Gothic Quarter invites guests along a walking
tour to view Roman-era, Middle Ages, 17th- and 18th-century architecture. Famed architect and native son, Antoni Gaud left his signature upon the Barcelona skyline with the Temple of the Holy Family, a massive work in progress begun in 1882, funded by the public. His other masterpieces include the scenic Park Gell, Casa Batll, Casa Mila and many others. Barcelona's other cultural driving force is its collection of museums including the Picasso Museum, displaying the artist's early works in adjoining medieval palaces, the National Art Museum of Catalonia, the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art and the Fundaci Antoni Tpies, a library and museum dedicated to contemporary art.
Golf Courses Eleven challenging
golf courses dot the landscape around Barcelona. Exclusive and prestigious, the El Prat
golf complex of 45 championship holes was designed by Greg Norman and built in 2001. Vallromanos, an exclusive members' course features 18 championship holes and a par 72. Several excellent public courses are within a 30-minute drive from Barcelona and include St. Joan, a championship 18-hole, par 72 course, Maisa Bach
Golf Club, an 18-hole championship, par 72 course in Catalonia's wine country and the PGA Catalunya
Golf Course, a magnificent 18-hole, par 72 course which strives to equal Sawgrass and is consistently ranked among Europe's top 10 best courses. Dinin...
OCCIDENTAL GRAND XCARET. The Occidental Grand Xcaret offers guests one complimentary day pass per stay to the breathtaking natural wonder of the eco-archeological Xcaret Park adjacent to the hotel. At the park, travelers with a taste for eco-touring and adventure can explore the remains of a Mayan village, snorkel through ancient caves and underwater
gardens, swim with dolphins, or observe jaguars, butterflies, tropical birds and other indigenous species in their natural habitat, all a short distance from the rest. Those with a relaxing vacation in mind will find an oasis on the resort's private secluded beach. ALL-INCLUSIVE FEATURES An all-inclusive escape from the everyday begins at any of the Occidental Grand Xcaret's five inviting
pool areas and its 10 public
whirlpools. Plus, the resort features a man-made beach on a cove with crystal clear water and sparkling white sand - perfect for an afternoon playing with the kids or for floating your cares away. Also included in the all-inclusive plan are sports and activities, such as archery, mini-
golf,
tennis, a
gym, snorkeling, Kids
Club as well as
spa services such as
sauna,
steam room and
whirlpool. Daily entertainment and activities programs for children and adults are also part of the package as well as nightly shows and entertainment. All-inclusive activities: Other optional features and services not included in the all-inclusive plan are excursions to Tulum, Xel Ha and Chichen Itza,
golf, car and scooter rentals,
babysitting services,
laundry services,
Internet and
fax services and
currency exchange.
Telephone calls, nad medical service also. Resort staff strives to make every convenient service available to all our guests. Please inquire as needed for medical attention, free
parking,
car rental and
currency exchange. OPTIONAL FEATURES (not included in all-inclusive plan).
Spa services (
beauty salon,
massages, treatments). Car and scooter rental. Excursions to: Tulum, Xel Ha, Chichen Itza and nearby attractions.
Business and
meeting center.
Wedding and honeymoon programs.
24 hour medical attention. OPTIONAL PACKAGES (not included in all-inclusive plan)
769 rooms suites: Deluxe, Grand
Concierge Deluxe, Grand Romance Deluxe, Jr.
Suite, Jr.
Suite Grand
Concierge, Jr.
Suite Grand Romance, Royal
Club Luxury, Royal
Club Jr.
Suite, Royal
Club Master
Suite; all
rooms include: 1 king or 2 double beds,
telephone data port connection,
air-conditioning,
safety deposit box,
satellite TV,
hair dryer,
iron ironing board,
alarm clock, mini-
fridge,
bathroom with
tub or
shower. Cribs
extra bed available upon request.
Bathroom with
shower, or
tub (Royal
Club only).