Axel Live a Blog on Gay Life in Barcelona, Buenos Aires and Berlin » Barcelona

Gay Pride Barcelona 2011- Axel Hotel Barcelona

Axel Hotels — Fri, 20 May 2011 07:00:13 +0000

LGBT pride or gay pride is the concept that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity. The movement has three main premises: that people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity, that diversity is a gift, and that sexual orientation and gender identity are inherent and cannot be intentionally altered. The use of the abbreviated gay pride and pride have since become mainstream and shorthand expressions inclusive of all individuals in various LGBT communities.

For the third year running, Barcelona is well into the preparations to welcome you to the most important LGBT pride festival in the Mediterranean – Pride Barcelona’11. The main celebrations will be on the weekend of the 24th, 25th and 26th of June, but entire festival includes a program that runs from the 18th to the 28th!

30 charitable associations, many local businesses and the entire LBGT community have again united to organise a new pride for the city – offering ten days of culture, sport, debate, entertainment and parties. Pride Barcelona is a major free not-for-profit event that both celebrates the best of the Catalan capital, but also promotes inclusion and visibility in the major Catalan towns and cities.

Spain is a shining example of LGBT Rights, and is already on the global map for pride celebrations in Madrid and Maspalomas – always reaffirming our open, respectful and tolerant character. Barcelona is now firmly placed on that map – growing bigger and better every year.

Barcelona Pride could not be organised without the support and generosity of the sponsors and collaborators. Axel Hotels is one of them and we want to invites you to come to the gay Pride and stay at the Axel Hotel Barcelona.

Come and experience Pride Barcelona 2011. See for yourself why this new event is now among the greatest pride celebrations in the world!

The best phrases in our “Loving Axel Cities” Promotion

Axel Hotels — Mon, 16 May 2011 08:00:39 +0000

Recently we finished our wonderful promotion “Loving Axel Cities”.

Barcelona, Buenos Aires and Berlin are our Axel Cities, we love them and we wanted our fans shared their top tips for enjoying them.

During the promotion we recieved a lot of pharses, opinions and advices and we want to share with us some of them:

“Having the pleasure of staying in the Jewel of Barcelona, Axel Hotel Barcelona three times, my tip is to stay longer. Extend your stay by at least two days as Axel Hotel Barcelona has too much to see itself. So, spend two days poolside and relax a bit. Get to know the staff and the clientele as I have made friends for life. You should too…so, stay two extra for you.”

“Enjoy shopping Berlin with Kadewe two steps away. Enjoy gay Berlin with bars and restaurants one step away. Or just enjoy stylish Berlin and stay where you are… at Axel!”

“Of course , for parties during night and day. Barcelona is a city for smiling people who can find a great beach , great parties and a protected environment just a few walks away from the city.”

“Although the culture and nightlife in Berlin is one of the best in the world (the best in my opinion) people travelling to Berlin should always take the time to visit the gay holocaust memorial. The gay men and women who were caputed during the holocaust are not generally regarded as victims of the holocaust so even if only 1 couple reads this and goes to visit it it will keep the memory of these people alive.”

“Axel Hotel Barcelona gives you a first class experience. Take in the details. From the lobby to the rooftop the hotel is gorgeous. Axel provides the ultimate “heterofriendly” accommadation. From the moment you walk inside you feel that we have finally arrived. You are in the gay neighborhood. Bars, clubs, restaurants and shops are just minutes from Axel. I love restaurant La Flauta. It is only one minute from the hotel”.

“The Axel Berlin, was at the top of our list after a long day…. but the Day we spent at Gleis 17 and Sachsenhausen was the most humbling touching experience of my life!! Berlin is an absolutely amazing city with so much history packed into it!!”

“For sure Europe’s leading city for a combination of Culture, Dining, Partying and Beach in a gay and heterofriendly way !”

“While the nightlife is amazing and the tourist sites are incredible, nothing beats a lazy afternoon at an outdoor restaurant ordering tapas and sangria and watching all the beautiful barcelenos walk by…”

Barcelona: A city gay friendly to enjoy

Axel Hotels — Tue, 10 May 2011 09:00:15 +0000

Barcelona is considered by many to be one of the most dynamic city in Spain and maybe of Europe. Many consider it as the most friendly and inclusive towards homosexuals in general, and other groups. For example, in the Catalan capital, a gay couple can walk hand in hand in the streets without being disturbed, very naturally, and gays can even marry. Barcelona is also a great city for having fun, freedom and entertainment, and this trend increases year after year thanks to the many events being organized. Bars, restaurants, clubs, hotels and gay friendly shops complete this offering.

Barcelona has a Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and mild, humid and warm winters. January and February are the coldest months. July and August are the hottest of the year. It is not uncommon to find people sunbathing on the beach even in winter. Barcelona offers miles of beaches lined with palm trees and beach bars. We draw your attention to the gay beaches of Sant Sebastià (nudist), Barceloneta and Nova Mar Bella. At any time of year in Barcelona you can enjoy the sun, and eat at restaurants outdoors, have a drink on the terraces of its streets and squares or stroll along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

Barcelona believes in combining the old and the new with marvellous and unusual results. You can find many examples of this curious mixture of medieval and modern in places such as : El Barrio Gótico, Las Ramblas, La Plaza de Catalunya, the Olympic port, Picasso Museum, and the Miró Foundation. And if that is not enough to take your breath away, think of the various architectural works of Antonio Gaudi, such as El Parque Güell, La Sagrada Familia and La Pedrera.

The gay atmosphere in Barcelona is respected and prominent, with many bars, clubs, restaurants and shops throughout the city, especially around L’Eixample, Gracia and Ciutat Vella. In particular, when entering the gay zone Eixample, popularly known as Gaixample, within walking distance of downtown, rainbow flags in the facades of the shops are a welcome sign to the gay community. The neighborhood is historic, safe and friendly, ..and we are not in New York or London, but in Barcelona, where life flows very normally, through many exclusive locations open to the general public.

Shopping in Barcelona is a delight for the gay community. The Catalan capital has a wide range of shops where you can find quality products and services at competitive prices, as well as the best national and international design products. The shopping malls are remarkable for their careful design and attention to the public. Besides the city has a lot of good professionals who offer their services with a special attention to the gay community: Photographers, jewellers, masseurs, hairdressers, consultants, doctors, webmasters, translators … all to make one feel at ease.

Sant Jordi Day’s: the Day of the roses and books

Axel Hotels — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 07:00:10 +0000

La Diada de Sant Jordi, also known as el dia de la rosa (The Day of the Rose) or el dia del llibre (The Day of the Book) is a Catalan holiday held on 23 April, with similarities to Valentine’s Day and some unique twists that reflect the antiquity of the celebrations. The main event is the exchange of gifts between sweethearts, loved ones and respected ones. Historically, men gave women roses, and women gave men a book to celebrate the occasion—”a rose for love and a book forever.” In modern times, the mutual exchange of books is also customary. Roses have been associated with this day since medieval times, but the giving of books is a more recent tradition originating in 1923, when a bookseller started to promote the holiday as a way to commemorate the nearly simultaneous deaths of Miguel Cervantes and William Shakespeare on 23 April 1616. Barcelona is the publishing capital of both Catalan and Spanish languages and the combination of love and literacy was quickly adopted.

In Barcelona’s most visited street, La Rambla, and all over Catalonia, thousands of stands of roses and makeshift bookstalls are hastily set up for the occasion. By the end of the day, some four million roses and 800,000 books will have been purchased. Most women will carry a rose in hand, and half of the total yearly book sales in Catalonia take place on this occasion.

The sardana, the national dance of Catalonia, is performed throughout the day in the Plaça Sant Jaume in Barcelona. Many book stores and cafes host readings by authors (including 24-hour marathon readings of Cervantes’ “Don Quixote”). Street performers and musicians in public squares add to the day’s atmosphere.

23 April is also the only day of the year when the Palau de la Generalitat, Barcelona’s principal government building, is open to the public. The interior is decorated with roses to honour Saint George.

Don’t miss this wonderful event in Barcelona. Celebrate with Axel Hotel Barcelona Sant Jordi festivity and make your spring more sexy!

Create your own legend, immerse yourself in a full of roses city that vibrates as at his most emblematic day: Sant Jordi, on April 23th. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the most authentic weekend in Axel Barcelona, which offers you a delicious special Sant Jordi dinner, room service breakfast so you don’t need to move out of bed, and free access to our Wellness Club 33, just perfect for the pleasure of your senses … Enjoy a hot weekend!

Enjoy the coolest weeding in the Axel Hotel Barcelona

Axel Hotels — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 08:00:27 +0000

Get married in Axel Hotel Barcelona with Symposia Wedding Planner, the agency specializing in gay weddings and events, and enjoy a very special day. We propose you an unforgettable experience for a unique day. In Axel Hotel Barcelona we have the perfect places to make your big party something cool, different and fun. The Sky Terrace Bar is ideal for the appetizer enjoying the best views of Barcelona, the cozy Kitchen Restaurant is suitable for the banquet,design rooms are perfect to accommodate the newlyweds and guests and Ground Bar is the place to end the most magical night… everything fits together so you do not ever forget this day.

Contact Symposia Wedding Planner, for designing and organizing the wedding of your dreams or to prepare a surprise party or a gymkhana of seduction to your partner. Irene Cacenaves y Colombina Güimil will be happy to assist you, by lending a personal service and professional.

Symposia is born with the idea of providing, a full service wedding planner to gay couples, to fulfill the sector’s needs in an exquisite way. They design and plan a taylormade event, overseeing every detail and conveying your style.
Their goal is that your union is creative, unique and original.

They provide their experience in sublime elegant settings and a new protocol presentation created by Symposia. This handbook brings together in detail, all aspects of gay marriage ceremonies and includes not only the cooperation of the couple but also of their families, relatives, relevant personalities and other guests to the event.

They work for and with you in a professional and flexible environment, ensuring that the final decision is yours. They adapt to your schedule, they will arrange regular set appointments and will come to your home or workplace to avoid stress and loss of time. Thus, you will enjoy the event as well as the organizational process.

www.symposiabcn.com
info@symposiabcn.com
Tel.: 647 577 727 – 605 916 322

Images of new rooms and suites in Axel Hotel Barcelona!!

Axel Hotels — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:19:18 +0000

The Axel Hotel Barcelona has evolved and reinvented itself to always offer you the best and meet your highest expectations. The best service, the latest design spaces, the best combination of comfort and modern style of Axel, and a fun and cosmopolitan atmosphere that will let you enjoy a unique experience as always.

From now on you will enjoy the new Axel Hotel Barcelona fully expanded and renovated since last May, with 105 rooms including 4 magnificent suites with private terrace, Restaurant & Bar unique design, a new Sky Bar more surprising and 500 meters SPA-Wellness, with many more surprises..

Now you will enjoy the expanded and renovated Axel Hotel Barcelona, your Axel always better than never.

Website: www.axelhotels.com/barcelona

AXEL WELLNESS CLUB 33: YOUR TIME

Axel Hotels — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:40:07 +0000

Here comes a time to relax and leave behind the daily stress: Axel Hotel Barcelona offers you a world of new sensations and comfort with more tempting proposal for your senses… give yourself a present and take advantage of our discount now.

Offering an exclusive service of massage and Wellness treatment, performed by a professional and experienced team, the time will stop and will transport you to an exotic paradise of sensory experiences that will make you forget the world.

The package includes:

Accommodation in our newly designed rooms
Welcome Ritual
Massage De- contraction: 60 minutes
Free access to the Wellness Club 33 and its magnificent thermal water circuit
Relaxing drink to cleanse and purify the body

Book now!!

Be friends & fans of Axel Hotels!

Axel Hotels — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 17:07:58 +0000

Are you on Social Media? Be friends and fans with Axel Hotels!

We share the latest updates from our hotels and news of the gay community around the world through Facebook, Flickr and Twitter accounts. We´d be happy to share our news and hear from you as well!

Axel Hotel´s Flickr photo stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/axelhotels/sets

Axel Twitter: http://twitter.com/axelfriendly

Facebook Axel Hotel Barcelona: http://www.facebook.com/axelhotelbarcelona

Facebook Axel Hotel Berlin: http://www.facebook.com/axelhotelberlin

Facebook Axel Hotel Buenos Aires: http://www.facebook.com/axelhotelbuenosaires

Our website, www.axelhotels.com, is always open for you. Keep in touch with us!

Get ready for the Summer time at the new Axel Hotel Barcelona!

Axel Hotels — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 16:34:13 +0000

With clear references to modernist, faithful to his architectural style and spectacular façade, the new hotel expose in all his space an interior design based on the play of contrasts perfectly combines past and present, integrating materials that evoke the decoration of modernist period and contemporary design elements.

The renovated Kitchen Restaurant and the new Ground Bar, fully open to the barcelones eixample, offer you the opportunity to taste an excellent gastronomy and the best cocktails to the beat of the music with the best environment Axel. If you prefer a unique outdoor experience, the new and expanded, Sky Bar located on the roof with spectacular views of the city, waiting for you to enjoy the good weather during the day and the best cosmopolitan nightlife in Barcelona during the summer season, where music, meeting ?? and fun are essential part of the ambience of the hotel.

To end the day, relax and disconnect from the frenetic pace of the city in our Wellness Club 33, a wellness area of 500 m2 around a fabulous water-zone with all kinds of treatments and services, personal fitness trainer.

Voted “Best gay hotel in the world” by readers of the prestigious travel magazine” The Out Traveler” (USA). Its unique location, the stunning and cosmopolitan atmosphere, makes the new Axel Hotel Barcelona a unique experience.

Come to find out from May, the new Axel Hotel Barcelona as you’ve never seen before, completely renovated and expanded with new rooms and design spaces, completely renovated and designed to be the most fun and current meeting point , to live in authentic experiences Axel.

Faithful to the concepts and style of Axel, design, comfortable, cosmopolitan atmosphere, good value for price and service, the new hotel reopens fully renovated and expanded. His 105 rooms that combine modernism, warmth and elegance, and his new spaces designed to once again become the meeting point most Heterofriendly, urban, trendy and fun where to enjoy his unique atmosphere.

The renovated Kitchen Restaurant and the new Ground Bar, fully open to the barcelones eixample, offer you the opportunity to taste an excellent gastronomy and the best cocktails to the beat of the music with the best environment Axel. If you prefer a unique outdoor experience, the new and expanded, Sky Bar located on the roof with spectacular views of the city, waiting for you to enjoy the good weather during the day and the best cosmopolitan nightlife in Barcelona during the summer season, where music, meeting and fun are essential part of the ambience of the hotel.

Voted “Best gay hotel in the world” by readers of the prestigious travel magazine” The Out Traveler” (USA). Its unique location, the stunning and cosmopolitan atmosphere, makes the new Axel Hotel Barcelona a unique experience.

New Axel Hotel Barcelona.. Coming soon!

Axel Hotels — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 09:28:43 +0000

Some appetizers before the re-opening of Axel Hotel Barcelona.. Bon appetit!!

Axel Hotel Barcelona is a heterofriendly boutique hotel in the center of Gayxample (Eixample), Barcelona. www.axelhotels.com/barcelona