While it is not my favourite, the Aechmea Fasciata is undoubtedly the signature species of the Aechmea genus of the bromeliad family of plants.
The flowers emerge from the small blue buds contained within the pink flower bract which is quite stiff and spikey.
My apologies in advance but we have the whole family at our place for Christmas and I'm going to have difficulty over the next couple of weeks finding time to comment. Will comment when I can.
