Aware of the importance of cultural heritage to the development of tourism in Spain, in 2018 we are taking part in an initiative driven and backed by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, with the aim of promoting cultural exchange and the recognition of the wealth of Europe’s cultural heritage. Throughout the year, we will be recognising and promoting our own cultural heritage, which has been a fundamental part of our identity since the launch of the chain.
Vincci Hoteles, over the course of the year, will organise a series of activities aimed at promoting the cultural heritage found at our properties and making it easy to access, in line with the objectives set out by the main European institutions. 2018 will see the promotion of cultural exchange and recognition of the cultural heritage of Europe as a shared resource, at the same time as it improves awareness of our history and common values, and reinforces the feeling of belonging to a common European space, promoting a feeling of greater affinity for our cultural heritage.
For these reasons, we’re taking part in this initiative to bring the cultural heritage found in our hotels closer to the public, found, as it is, in various categories: historic buildings and cultural heritage such as the surroundings and the local traditions.
Historic, emblematic buildings
From its very beginnings, Vincci Hoteles has made a commitment to bringing back to life buildings of architectural importance, in European cities, that have fallen into disuse, in order to make them once again part of the cities where they are located. In our portfolio we have various properties with these characteristics, which also have properties unique to the places in which they are found, allowing the guests to experience the city from the hotel itself.
Some examples are Vincci Porto 4* (Porto, Portugal), located in the old Porto fish market, dating from the 30s, or Vincci Palace 4* (Valencia), which at the start of the 20th century was a meeting place for important intellectuals and writers of the period, who used its public spaces to meet and to write. It ended up being the Casa de la Cultura (Cultural Centre) and in its interior, between 1936 and 1939, it was common to see Ernest Hemingway writing his reports on the Spanish Civil War, to send them to the American newspapers he worked for.
In Madrid, Vincci Capitol 4* is located in the emblematic Carrion building, which was completely revolutionary in the 30s thanks to its art deco style, and which has seen it become one of the most easily recognised buildings on the Madrid skyline. It’s also one of the most original hotels in the Spanish capital, offering the possibility of sleeping behind one of the symbols of Gran Vía, the famous neon Schweppes sign. Close to Sol, Vincci Centrum 4* occupies a historic building from 1920, while in the heart of the Barrio de las Letras, Vincci Soho 4* was constructed on the basis of a complex renovation project including five historic protected buildings, to produce a hotel which is entirely integrated into its surroundings, and which surprises the visitor with its discreet, elegant, meticulous design and its modern sophisticated style. All these buildings are protected as Spanish Cultural Heritage.
One of the leading exponents in this sense is the Vincci Selección Posada del Patio 5* (Málaga), which contains in its interior the longest and best conserved section of the city’s Arab wall, which was found during the renovation and recovered so that it can be viewed from within the hotel itself and seen by anyone who wishes to visit it. In Seville, the hotel Vincci La Rábida 4* is designed around an 18th century mansion house, located in the centre of the city, in the Barrio del Arenal, just a stone’s throw from Seville Cathedral and the bullring, “La Maestranza”.
Setting as cultural heritage
Some of the most important cultural heritage in Spain are the natural environments it boasts, and Vincci Hoteles has properties located in various unbeatable cultural settings. For example, Vincci Selección La Plantación del Sur 5* (Tenerife), as its name indicates, was built on an old, extensive banana plantation, one of the symbols of Canary Islands culture. Its colonial architecture, its views over a nearby plantation and its gastronomy inspired by foodstuffs brought to the islands in the colonial era, means it integrates perfectly with its environment. Another example is Vincci Selección Rumaykiyya 5* (Sierra Nevada, Granada), located in one of Spain’s most beautiful national parks, it is one of the highest hotels in Europe. Its alpine style design, as if it were a mountain lodge, contributes to the enjoyment of a true mountain get-away.
Tradition and gastronomy
All our properties are found in excellent locations, giving guests the opportunity to take part in the main cultural activities of the city or locality, such as the Easter Week processions, which can be seen without leaving the hotel in the case of Vincci La Rábida 4* in Seville or Vincci Albayzín 4* in Granada or the feria de abril, among other popular Spanish fiestas.
Tradition is not just found in the various events held in each of the cities, but can be found too in the gastronomy, hence our restaurants use fresh local produce in traditional regional dishes, in a nod to local cuisine. So, for example, the Beach Club Estrella del Mar (Marbella) holds tuna ronqueo tasting sessions and at Vincci La Rábida 4* (Seville),you can savour guisos de cucharón soups and stews.
In short, over the course of this year we’ll be making available to the public the rich cultural heritage found in our various establishments through different activities, allowing you to enjoy an authentic Vincci experience.