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This industry certainly provides no rest for the weary, but a few agents and I recently took a time out to get the scoop on JDB Fine Hotels & Resorts’ newest additions in Europe, particularly in Spain. The call reminded me that when you stop and pay attention you learn things. So if you take one break today, let it be to read about a little gem that caught my attention, Hotel Grau Roig in Andorra.
Of the 10 or so properties discussed, Hotel Grau Roig intrigued me for a number of reasons. For starters, the hotel, in the Pyrenees near the French border, only had one American visitor last year. JDB’s Director of Marketing, Lillian Aviles, had the tough job of living in Spain for six months to scout properties, and when I called her to follow up on Hotel Grau Roig, she seemed just as excited about the property as I was.
The ski-in/ski-out hotel houses fans of winter and summer sports, as well as wine enthusiasts, who take advantage of Hotel Grau Roig’s extensive “theatre of wine.” (The space can host a dinner of up to 10 people for about $40 euros, roughly $57, per person.)
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Another thing that grabbed my attention was the property’s reasonable room rates. During the peak ski season of December through March, prices average 230 euros ($325) per night, based on double occupancy. That’s pretty impressive considering all you get with this luxurious, rustically designed hotel: two restaurants, a spa with Turkish bath, winter and summer activities like snowmobiling, horseback riding and kayaking, plus a kids’ club.
The best rooms to book are suites 212 and 312, which have panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and such amenities as Bulgari toiletries, satellite flat-screen TVs, a mini-pool or hydro-massage bath and a Bang & Olufsen music system, which works in the bathroom.
During Hotel Grau Roig’s upcoming peak season, it’s advisable to book two to three months in advance. (You still have time!) The hotel cannot be found in any global distribution system, so for reservations, it’s best to call JDB, which will pay a 12 percent commission, at 800-346-5358. For special requests, contact Dunia Sans, owning manager of the hotel, at [email protected]. Visit www.hotelgrauroig.com.