Eurostar Needs Competitors to Power High-Speed Rail Renaissance
Disembarking from the Eurostar international rail service beneath the magnificent arched roof of London's St Pancras station always gives me a thrill. Whooshing through a 31-mile (50-kilometer) tunnel beneath the English Channel and arriving in the heart of Britain's capital less than two and half hours after leaving Paris makes the stress of flying and the associated burning of hydrocarbons feel uncivilized.
And yet, my pleasure is sometimes tinged with disappointment: about Eurostar's sometimes high fares, crowded departure lounges and the limited number of direct international connections. Happily, there's a fix for these issues: increased investment and greater competition.
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Forbes
32 minutes ago
- Forbes
Best Hotels In Barcelona 2025
As one of Europe's most creative cities, Barcelona is home to architectural titans like La Sagrada Familia, Gaudí landmarks around every corner and a never-ending parade of restaurants and tapas bars that spotlight the region's diverse flavors. Whether you're in town for the art or the eats, the best hotels in Barcelona offer a design-focused home away from home. To curate this Barcelona hotel guide, I drew from personal experience and sourced input from experts like Molly Arena, a travel advisor at Fora. From our top pick the Hotel Neri and the quietly decadent Mandarin Oriental Barcelona to the chic Seventy Barcelona and the romantic Monument Hotel, we narrowed down the cream of the crop. Below, the best places to stay in Barcelona in 2025. Hotel Neri set within a restored medieval castle. Located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter (Barcelona's oldest and arguably most desirable district), the city's only Relais & Châteaux property Hotel Neri is a design-forward boutique hotel set inside an impeccably restored medieval castle. It's just a stone's throw away from top sights like the Cathedral of Barcelona, Palau de la Generalitat and Mercado de La Boqueria, as well as a short walk from the beach and harbor for a lovely change of pace. When you're not out exploring the many landmarks, markets and squares, kick back on the tranquil terrace or retreat to the plush comforts of the charm-filled rooms and suites, all of which offer a true sense of place. Guests don't have to leave to tickle their taste buds, either, thanks to seasonal Mediterranean plates created by Chef Alain Guiard at 'a' Restaurant. Interiors of the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona. A vision in bronze and ivory, the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona's swank lobby is rivaled only by its impeccable spaces and services. 'I absolutely love this hotel,' says Arena, who lists it as one of her top recommendations in Barcelona. 'It's in one of the city's most upscale neighborhoods, surrounded by great restaurants and top designer boutiques.' Quietly decadent, the property's 120 rooms and suites feature a palette of taupes and creams, natural wood flooring, luxurious rugs, bespoke furnishings, and speckles of muted blues, yellows and orange. The spa offers signature treatments and a serene, emerald-hued indoor pool, and with a wink to the building's former inception as a bank, the snazzy Banker's Bar serves creative concoctions presented on faux vintage bank notes. Seventy Barcelona interiors. Juxtaposed between the buzzy Eixample and bohemian Gracia districts, Seventy Barcelona combines a sleek design aesthetic with laidback comfort. Guests are greeted with leather loungers and statement head-to-toe bookcases, and the hotel's open-plan eatery The Kitchen & Timeless features a breakfast pantry that transitions to Mediterranean-style cuisine later in the day. In good weather, opt to eat, drink or relax on Balinese beds in the olive tree-peppered patio or poolside at the rooftop beach club. And for a cocktail break, take a fireside breather at The Cors. All rooms feature quality bedding, complimentary coffee and tea, and a bag filled with toiletry essentials, a great value for rooms that are routinely booked for under $350 a night during peak season. Day bed at Hotel Bagués. Intimate and chic with heaps of history, character and personalized service, Hotel Bagués has all the makings of the best boutique stay in Barcelona. What ultimately secured its title is its inimitable mix of style and soul. Breathing new life into the 1850s palace of El Regulador, which once housed the workshop of the Bagués Masriera jewelry company, the property oozes sophistication with a melange of classical and contemporary touches. It's hard to outshine the gilded headboards and ebony-paneled walls, but the crown jewel of each bedroom is the glimmering bauble that's placed just so. Travelers interested in gawking at even more art treasures can meander through the property's small on-site museum. Additional plush perks include on-demand massages and cooling off in the rooftop plunge pool. Youngsters will feel right at home with a collection of toys and games gifted upon arrival, along with rooms suitable for all family types. With complimentary strollers in tow for the littlest wanderers, families who stay at the Petit Palace Museum will be steps away from the Gothic Quarter, the Egyptian Museum and Gaudi's La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. For scenic outings to Barceloneta Beach or Ciutadella Park, reserve free bikes or take a quick metro ride just minutes away. Children will feel welcomed with a collection of toys and games gifted upon arrival, along with rooms suitable for all family types, from bunk beds to cribs to extra single beds. With the hotel's pet-friendly services, pets can also tag along and feel welcome. And when adults need a little break or time alone, in-house babysitters, tasty rainbow snacks, portable Wi-Fi and a free citywide internet data service will keep the little ones entertained. Exterior of the Monument Hotel The sophisticated beauty of the Monument Hotel, a former 19th-century, Neo-Gothic style building housing 84 rooms (most of which are suites) should be enough to warrant a stay—not to mention its prime location on the Passeig de Gràcia. But what makes it a great romantic escape is its exceptional but unobtrusive service, its beautiful rooftop terrace, and its moody and sophisticated atmosphere. Foodies in particular should take note: The property is home to Lasarte, a 3-star Michelin restaurant, one of the hottest tickets in town and one of only two 3-star Michelin restaurants in central Barcelona. For the ultimate dinner date, book the recently remodeled eight-seater Chef's Table, where guests dine while observing master chefs at work. Make sure to visit the Rooftop Terrace Restaurant for a quick drink and to appreciate the twinkling skyline views. Serras Barcelona offers an enviable Gothic Quarter address, distinctive ambiance and eye-catching design. An easy stroll to the Picasso Museum, Las Ramblas and the beach, it's very doable to spend the morning exploring and the afternoon watching waves lap the shore. Of course, no one would fault you for simply soaking in the sunshine from your balcony or enjoying the plunge pool and lounge seating overlooking Marina Port Vell. Those who love to see and be seen will especially love the rooftop in the evenings, where drinks can be sipped in front of twinkling skyline views, all while listening to a DJ spin tunes. The hotel features a seasonal rooftop bar and eatery: Tope features Mexican-inspired bites and striking views of the Sagrada Familia and Torre Glòries. Situated in one of Barcelona's most creative neighborhoods, The Hoxton Poblenou highlights the vibrant energy supplied by the district's many start-ups, galleries and bars. The hotel itself has two trendy meal spaces: Four Corners, which specializes in Detroit-style pizza, and Tope, the seasonal rooftop bar and eatery serv Mexican-inspired bites and striking views of La Sagrada Familia and Torre Glòries. Guests can gaze at Gaudí's masterpiece at leisure while sipping a drink or following a dip in the glamorous, cabana-lined checker-print pool. If you plan to visit off-season when it may be too chilly to venture to the rooftop, be sure to book a stay in a Roomy View room, which features a king-size bed and expansive windows for a private view of Barcelona's most famous basilica. Bar at El Palace Barcelona. As Barcelona's first 5-star hotel, El Palace has been hosting guests since it first opened its doors with opulent grandeur in 1919. Today, that spirit continues, from dapper doormen welcoming visitors to the first sighting of the property's ornate Great Hall. Background piano music, rotating art exhibits and world-class service enhance daily meals and coffee breaks. The enchanting rooftop garden, the largest in Barcelona, transports guests with its tropical flora, Italian Rivera-style pergolas, open-air cinemas and wintertime Chalet El Palace, which is modeled after an authentic Swiss Alps fondue restaurant. After hours, the Bluesman Cocktail Bar is a music lover's dream, with its velvet-draped speakeasy vibe and regular rotation of live performances. Constructed from blue glass and steel, the 44-story property grazes the sky from its prime position overlooking Barceloneta Beach. Hotel Arts Barcelona hits the sweet spot between a city break and a beach escape. Constructed from blue glass and steel, the 44-story stunner grazes the sky from its prime position overlooking the city's Barceloneta Beach. A spate of vacation-making amenities puts it squarely in the class of urban resort: Visitors can look forward to two outdoor pools, a rooftop spa, an art gallery and an observation deck with 360-degree views. The property also happens to be an unrivaled culinary destination: Foodies from around the world flock to Enoteca, the 2-Michelin-starred restaurant where celebrity chef Paco Pérez whips up exquisite tasting menus that spotlight Catalan flavors in a creative, contemporary way. The 156 bedrooms feature cosmopolitan leather patchwork headboards, hardwood floors and marble-top bathrooms. The Kimpton Vividora's eclectic design embodies the best of Barcelona's urban living from the moment you enter its retro-fabulous lobby space that doubles as the Got Coffee & Cocktails Bar. A friendly, suspender-wearing staffer directs guests one floor up for check-in, an early sign that things run a little differently here. The property's 156 bedrooms, including ten suites, feature cosmopolitan leather patchwork headboards, hardwood floors and marble-top bathrooms. Standout details like burnt-orange cotton robes, locally sourced furnishings and vintage knick-knacks inspire a dreamy designer feel that is more akin to a hip residential apartment than a hotel stay. Exterior of Hotel Casa Fuster. Designed by Gaudí contemporary Lluís Domènch i Montaner for a well-to-do couple in 1908, Casa Fuster remains a prime example of Modernist architecture at its finest. Restored in 20o4, the former residence-turned-105-room-hotel on the exclusive Passeig de Gràcia features ornate facade carvings, decorative rooftop columns and a scarlet-hued café lounge with gold vaulted ceilings. Bedroom designs are elegant and refined, some with circular-shaped living spaces, king-size beds or avenue-facing wrought-iron-framed balconies. Unwind after a day of touring the city by relaxing poolside, cocktail in hand, on the property's rooftop terrace. The Forbes Vetted travel team has researched, written and published dozens of hotel guides featuring cities across the globe. We selected the top contenders based on personal stays as well as extensive research.
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Wayve CEO on London Self-Driving Cars Trial With Uber
Wayve Technologies CEO & Co-Founder Alex Kendall discusses the company's plans to remain "asset light" and adaptable for all car manufacturers. This comes after the startup's announcement earlier this week that they will be partnering with Uber to trial fully autonomous vehicles in London. The two companies have been working together for some time, with Uber owning a strategic investment in the London-based startup. Kendall speaks to Bloomberg's Tom Mackenzie at sidelines of Founders Forum in Oxfordshire, UK. Sign in to access your portfolio
Bloomberg
3 hours ago
- Bloomberg
Crystal Palace FC Backer Eagle Files Confidentially for US IPO
Eagle Football Holdings Ltd., one of the most active investors in football clubs globally, has filed confidentially for a US initial public offering. The company, which owns more than 40% of English FA Cup winners Crystal Palace, has submitted a draft registration statement to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, according to an announcement Friday. Eagle has been working with UBS Group AG on the potential IPO, Bloomberg News reported in February.
