REVIEW: Hotel Primero Primera, Barcelona, Spain

Time to check out Hotel Primero Primera in Barcelona, Spain.

As small boutique hotels go, Primero Primera is pretty special. When visiting Barcelona, most people want to be bang in the centre of the action, but sometimes it’s nice not to be caught up in the hustle and bustle! This hotel is located in one of the upmarket suburbs of Barcelona, close to the fashionable Sarrià district. It sits on a suburban street, lined with apartment blocks. It’s not an area littered with shops and restaurants, but in some ways that is part of this hotel’s charm. Since re-opening in 2012, it has shot up the Trip Advisor reviews, currently 3rd of all the hotels in Barcelona.

Wanderlust Chloe Hotel Primero Primera Barcelona 09

Wanderlust Chloe Hotel Primero Primera Barcelona 10

It prides itself on being a family run hotel – the Perez Sala family have owned the building since 1955 and still live on one floor. The rest of the building has been converted into 30 luxurious hotel rooms and suites. Reception is smart and inviting with a grand staircase ascending from it.

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Don’t Waste Your Money at Xel-Ha, Mexico. Check Out Yal-Ku!

Yal-Ku, Akumal, Mexico

Why you should consider visiting Yal-Ku instead of Xel-Ha in Mexico.

Every now and then I come across somewhere really special, and face a dilemma: Do I keep it to myself so it stays a hidden gem… or share it with you guys so you can enjoy it too?! With Yal Ku, I felt I needed to tell the world!

In Quintana Roo, the state which runs down the Caribbean coast of Mexico, there are a few water-themed adventure parks. Xel-Ha is one of them. It’s an aquatic park built around a large lagoon with crystal clear waters, perfect for snorkelling. It’s set in a beautiful landscape of forests and cenotes (Mexican sink holes).

READ: 24 Hours In Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

I enjoyed a day there in May 2014 – I snorkelled for a few hours, travelled down the lazy river on a rubber ring and zip-lined over the water. I had a great day… but there was one part of the park that bothered me. There were numerous opportunities to ‘swim with dolphins’, ‘hold a stingray’, and have a ‘manatee encounter’. For a park with an emphasis on ecotourism and environmental awareness, something didn’t add up. It’s not cheap either. You can expect to pay $80 + for a day pass (which includes all food and drink).

Wanderlust Chloe Xel-Ha Mexico1

So when I returned to Mexico recently I was excited to find about a beautiful natural lagoon called Yal-Ku, close to the picturesque turtle beach of Akumal.

READ: An Afternoon In Akumal With The Turtles

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REVIEW: Disfrutar, Barcelona – What’s It Really Like To Eat At Barcelona’s Top Restauarant

The signature olive dish at Disfrutar Restaurant, Barcelona

Dinner at Disfrutar Barcelona is a restaurant experience like no other. Time to tell you all about the delicious set menu in my Disfrutar Barcelona review. 

*Since my visit, Disfrutar Barcelona has been awarded two Michelin stars. I re-visited the restaurant more recently which you can read about here.*

Two “olives” are placed in front of me. One black, one green. They are glossy with olive oil and a sprinkling of salt. However, nothing is as it seems at Barcelona’s hottest new restaurant Disfrutar.

The chefs of Disfrutar Barcelona Restaurant
The chefs of Disfrutar Barcelona Restaurant

Launched in late 2014 by Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch and Mateu Casañas, three head chefs at Ferran Adria’s former-best-restaurant-in-the-world elBulli, this restaurant looks set to place Barcelona as one of the culinary capitals of the world. What does Disfrutar mean? To enjoy – something we were ready for with several courses ahead!

Disfrutar Restaurant Barcelona
Disfrutar Restaurant Barcelona

There are two tasting menus – the Festival Menu being a 25-course extravaganza. To describe and dissect every course would take a long time (and make you very hungry) but I wanted to share highlights of what was a truly theatrical, delicious and very memorable evening.

Melon caipirinha at Disfrutar Restaurant Barcelona
Melon caipirinha at Disfrutar Restaurant Barcelona

The meal began with a melon caipirinha, which was made in front of us by the waitress who poured liquid from a teapot into a cup of crackling ice. It frothed up into a cocktail creating a fragrant melon scent. On the saucer lay an intensely flavoured cube of fresh melon, covered in mint, lime and salt. A refreshing, light, and rather boozy start to the meal!

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REVIEW: Hotel Cram, Barcelona, Spain

A stay at Hotel Cram in the Eixample area of Barcelona is a luxurious, stylish experience. Don’t be fooled by the grand facade dating back to the late 1890s, the rest of this hotel is über contemporary.

The Perfect 24 Hours in Madrid, Spain

If you’re short on time, my guide to spending 24 hours in Madrid, Spain, will help you make the most of your trip. From the parks to the architecture, and the best places to eat tapas and drink wine, I’ve got you covered. 

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